Allergy Season Ahead: What to Prepare Now

Allergic rhinitis is not a harmless irritation but an immunologically driven inflammatory reaction. The typical symptoms usually appear only once the inflammation is already active. Early control can markedly improve the overall symptom burden. Modern second-generation antihistamines are well supported by evidence and generally well tolerated. Targeted environmental measures can reduce allergen exposure measurably on top of that. Left untreated, an allergy can raise the risk of developing allergic asthma. Overall, strategic and forward-looking management is considerably more effective than purely reactive treatment.

Janine Griesser

Marketing cookies required to play embedded videos.

What is a pollen allergy?

Seasonal allergic rhinitis (colloquially „hay fever“) is an IgE-mediated immune reaction to pollen.

How it unfolds:

Sensitization to an allergen (birch or grasses, for example)
Formation of specific IgE antibodies
Binding of those antibodies to mast cells
On renewed contact: release of histamine
Inflammatory reaction of the mucous membranes

Typical symptoms:

sneezing
itching (nose, eyes, palate)
clear, watery nasal discharge
blocked nose
watering, reddened eyes

Important:

The inflammation begins before symptoms become noticeable.

Why acting early is decisive

Guidelines such as ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) and EAACI stress:

Early control of the allergic inflammation improves overall symptom control.

If you only react once symptoms are severe, the inflammation is already established – which makes control harder.

In short:

An allergy is a process – not a sudden state.

For whom is preparation particularly important?

people with recurring seasonal complaints
people with a badly blocked nose
those affected by ocular symptoms
patients with asthma as well
people whose quality of life is markedly restricted

For whom is a medical assessment worthwhile?

symptoms lasting longer than several weeks
shortness of breath or breathlessness on exertion
coughing at night
recurring severe symptom peaks
unclear complaints

Evidence-based measures before the season

1️⃣ Identify the allergen

A prick test or measuring specific IgE antibodies allows targeted planning.

Advantages:

clarity about the trigger
targeted timing
a basis for immunotherapy

2️⃣ Early symptomatic control

According to Cochrane reviews, modern second- and third-generation antihistamines (cetirizine, loratadine, desloratadine, fexofenadine, for example) show:

significant reduction in sneezing and itching
good tolerability
little sedative effect compared with older preparations

Individual tolerability should be taken into account.

3️⃣ Environmental measures (reducing allergens)

Studies show:

reduced allergen exposure leads to a lower symptom burden.

Recommendations:

use the pollen forecast
air rooms when pollen counts are low (after rain, for example)
wash your hair in the evening
do not store clothes in the bedroom
nasal rinses with isotonic solution

4️⃣ Treat the eyes specifically

Up to 70 % of those affected have ocular symptoms.

Targeted antiallergic eye drops can reduce itching and redness effectively.

Combined treatment improves quality of life markedly.

5️⃣ Specific immunotherapy (desensitization)

Specific immunotherapy is the only causal form of treatment.

Meta-analyses show:

significant symptom reduction
less need for acute medication
long-lasting effect
reduction in asthma risk

Suitable where there is:

moderate to severe symptoms
insufficient control
proven sensitization

The link between allergy and asthma

Allergic rhinitis and asthma belong to the „united airway concept“.

Chronic allergic inflammation can affect the lower airways.

Studies show:

uncontrolled allergic rhinitis raises the risk of developing asthma.

Warning signs:

coughing at night
a feeling of tightness
wheezing
breathlessness on exertion

What is not evidence-based

homeopathic preparations
unspecific „immune boosters“
supplements without a diagnosed deficiency

For these measures there is no robust evidence of reduced seasonal allergy symptoms.

Using it correctly – practical tips

plan early
check individual tolerability
take it regularly during exposure
combine medication control with environmental management
seek medical advice for severe symptoms

Red flags 🚩

When to seek medical advice immediately

shortness of breath
coughing at night
severe loss of capacity
wheezing
no effect despite treatment

Checklist - to take away

✔ allergen known

✔ pollen calendar checked

✔ symptomatic control planned

✔ environmental measures in place

✔ warning signs known

FAQ

Sources

ARIA Guidelines (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma), 2019 Update
EAACI Guidelines for Allergic Rhinitis
Cochrane Reviews: Oral Antihistamines for Allergic Rhinitis
GINA Report – Global Initiative for Asthma
WHO Position Paper on Allergen Immunotherapy

Disclaimer

This article is intended as evidence-based health education and does not replace individual medical advice. If complaints persist or are severe, they should be assessed by a doctor.