Overview
Hay fever, medically known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, is one of the most common allergic conditions in Germany. The immune system overreacts to pollen from trees, grasses or weeds that is actually harmless. Typical symptoms include sneezing fits, a runny or blocked nose and itchy, watery eyes. Many affected people also feel tired and find it harder to concentrate during the pollen season, which can noticeably impair daily life, work and sleep. Depending on the type of pollen involved, symptoms occur at specific times of year – from early bloomers such as hazel and alder in late winter, to birch in spring, to grasses and weeds in summer. Typical hay fever can often be identified reliably from the medical history. In the video consultation, the doctor takes a structured medical history and, following an individual assessment, can initiate symptomatic treatment, for example with antihistamines or a corticosteroid nasal spray by private prescription under the German fee schedule (GOÄ).
Common causes
Hay fever is caused by an overreaction of the immune system to protein components of pollen. On contact with the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes, messenger substances including histamine are released, triggering the typical symptoms. The most common triggers in Germany include tree pollen such as hazel, alder and birch, grass and cereal pollen, and weed pollen such as mugwort and the increasingly widespread ragweed (Ambrosia). A hereditary predisposition increases the risk: children whose parents have allergies more frequently develop hay fever themselves. Environmental factors such as air pollutants can additionally irritate the mucous membranes and promote allergic reactions. Because of milder winters and longer flowering periods, the pollen season is starting earlier and lasting longer, so many affected people experience symptoms for several months of the year.
When to see a doctor
Mild hay fever can often be managed well. You should seek medical advice if your symptoms significantly affect your daily life or sleep, if over-the-counter remedies are not sufficient, or if the symptoms are occurring for the first time and are unclear. Warning signs that require an in-person examination include wheezing, chest tightness or a persistent cough as possible indications of allergic asthma, as well as one-sided nasal symptoms, bloody discharge, fever or severe facial pain as possible signs of sinusitis. Call the emergency number 112 immediately if acute shortness of breath, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty swallowing, circulatory problems or impaired consciousness occur – these can be signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). In all other cases, a video consultation is a suitable first step towards a medical assessment.