Finally spring, warm weather and everything begins to bloom: one person's joy, another's sorrow. For almost 2 million Austrians this is the time of suffering. In people with pollen allergies the nose starts to run, the eyes water, the head aches and breathing becomes difficult. The season is starting earlier and the number of allergy sufferers has risen increasingly in recent years.

What is hay fever and how does it develop?

Hay fever is a hypersensitivity of the immune system to proteins from various plant pollens. Through the inhaled air the allergy triggers reach the mucous membranes and the immune system begins a severe inflammatory reaction in the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Histamine is released, blood vessels dilate, the tissue swells, inflammatory cells migrate in; as a result the nasal mucous membranes swell and the bronchi constrict.

Transition from hay fever to asthma

Without treatment, a Allergy can become dangerous, because symptoms in the eyes and nose can spread to the lungs. An allergic asthma can develop from this. In addition, pollen allergy sufferers face the risk of a cross-reaction when consuming certain foods. People allergic to birch pollen may also have problems when eating apples, pears, peaches, other pome and stone fruits, carrots, nuts (esp. hazelnuts), kiwis, celery, fresh figs, tomatoes and soy. With an allergy to grass pollen, it may also be the case that peas, beans, lentils, cereals, peanuts or melons are not tolerated.

The correct diagnosis leads to the correct therapy – a skin test and component-based diagnostics such as the ImmunoCAP Mikrochip-Test are very helpful

The first step when an allergy is suspected is a skin test (prick test), where small amounts of the allergen are dropped onto the skin and slightly scratched in. In an existing allergy itchy wheals appear. Another step is a blood test, which in component-based diagnostics allows targeted identification of which protein components are responsible for the allergy. A gentle and reliable method is the ImmunoCAP Mikrochip-Test, which was developed in Vienna. Only a blood draw is needed for this. As the only allergy test worldwide it allows testing of 112 allergen molecules in a single run. Used as a screening method right at the beginning, the test provides important clues to the actual causes of the allergic complaints.

Therapy for allergy and hay fever

In the treatment of allergies experts rely on the three pillars: avoiding allergens (which is rather difficult with pollen), relieving symptoms medically with antihistamines or cortisone sprays, and specific immunotherapy.

Symptoms are thus alleviated with tablets, drops or sprays. In addition, there are effective vaccines against hay fever that modulate the immune system so that it no longer reacts “allergically”. This vaccination is an allergen-specific immunotherapy that is either administered subcutaneously (injected under the skin) or taken sublingually (in tablet or drop form).

In the daily newspaper Krone, dermatologist Dr. Christine Bangert from the JUVENIS beauty centre in Vienna reports that in about 3 years there should be a new vaccine with fewer side effects. The currently available vaccines generally contain the entire pollen extract; in the future it should be possible to target a specific allergen much more precisely.

What really helps with an allergy?

  • wash hair and face every evening
  • No outdoor sports
  • mop floors damp
  • Clean bedroom
  • install pollen screens on windows
  • Symptomatic treatment with antihistamines, nasal sprays and eye drops
  • Specific immunotherapy
  • Acupuncture
  • Homeopathy

Treatments for healthy skin in Vienna at JUVENIS

In addition to treatments for healthy skin in Vienna, JUVENIS offers additional services related to Health & preventive care, Radiance & posture as well as Outer beauty that make you outwardly radiant and enhance your well-being.