As of: March 16, 2024, 2:43 p.m
By: Bettina Menzel
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The pollen season started early and intensively in 2024 - and could last longer than usual.
However, those suffering from hay fever can help themselves with tricks.
Berlin – Watery eyes, a stuffy nose, constant sneezing: allergy sufferers are all too familiar with these symptoms.
This year, the pollen season started particularly early: flowering hazels and alders were reported in parts of Germany as early as December, as the German Pollen Information Service Foundation announced.
This was also due to the mild temperatures.
According to experts, the year 2024 could be a super pollen year.
A special app can help those affected.
Pollen count in 2024: “Mugwort pollen and herb pollen will fly longer”
The pollen season started early this year, but not as massively as in 2023. It started early with hazel and alder pollen, but a lot of precipitation and a new onset of winter were able to delay greater pollution at least until the beginning of February.
However, February was the warmest since weather records began.
The mild temperatures favored numerous other pollen species such as yew, poplar and elm and led to the main flowering of hazel and alder.
There is an “ever-broader spectrum of pollen in the air,” said the Pollen Foundation’s weekly report from Wednesday (March 13, 2024).
And let's start with the birch pollen count.
The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly clear.
According to experts, the pollen seasons are getting longer.
In addition, there are more and more non-native plant species that are spreading in German latitudes due to the warmth.
“In 2024 we will probably have more birch pollen in the air, grass pollen will have increased again and mugwort pollen and herb pollen will fly longer because our autumn months have become wetter and warmer,” explained expert Karl-Christian Bergmann from the Pollen Foundation
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However: How exactly the pollen year 2024 will be cannot be predicted precisely due to the unclear weather patterns.
For many allergy sufferers, the pollen season begins in February because of the early bloomers, or even earlier if the weather permits.
(Symbolic image) © xvlaminx/Imago
Simple steps to relieve allergy symptoms
There is also good news for those affected: An app from the Pollen Foundation shows allergy sufferers when which pollen will fly and what level of exposure is expected.
What's special: Users can access the information for their own postal code area.
This means the information is as accurate as possible.
This means you can adapt your daily routine or even your vacation trip accordingly.
Simple measures can help alleviate the symptoms, such as rinsing your nose regularly.
Experts also recommend an air purification device for the home.
It is therefore advisable to change your clothes when entering the house and to wash your hair before going to bed.
For example, ventilation is recommended at night and the window should remain closed during the day.
Some home remedies are also advisable if you have a pollen allergy.
(bme/AFP)