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In my childhood, I never really had issues with allergies until I gradually developed hay fever around the age of 14. The symptoms included frequent sneezing and a runny nose. Unfortunately, the discomfort intensified with each year. Although many studies suggest that primarily children who spend little time in nature develop allergies, this does not apply to me. I spent most of my childhood outdoors and grew up in a rural environment, which shows that allergies can develop regardless.

Recently, I had a test conducted at an allergy clinic to determine which types of pollen I am allergic to. The evaluation revealed an allergy to various grass pollens.

Since I have now extensively dealt with the subject due to my allergy, I have decided to write and publish an article to share my findings with you.

What are allergies?

Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system to a substance that is usually harmless. This substance is called an allergen. Allergens can be found in the air, in foods, or on the skin. When the immune system encounters an allergen, a defense reaction is triggered, which leads to the typical symptoms of an allergy.

Symptoms of Allergies

The symptoms of an allergy can vary from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms are:

• Sneezing and a runny nose

• Itchy eyes and skin rashes

• Coughing and difficulty breathing

• Stomach pain and nausea

• In severe cases, an allergy can lead to anaphylactic shock, which can be life-threatening.

Ways to diagnose an allergy: Skin prick test, RAST test, and more

If you suspect that you have an allergy, you should see a doctor. An allergist can use various tests to determine which substances the body reacts to allergically. The skin prick test is one of the most commonly performed tests. Small amounts of possible allergens are applied to the skin and lightly pricked with a needle or a prick device. If redness and swelling occur at the puncture site after a few minutes, this may indicate an allergy. The RAST test can also be used to diagnose allergies by examining the patient's blood for specific antibodies against allergens. Additional tests, such as the patch test or the provocation test, can also be performed to test for allergic reactions.

Types of Allergies

There are many different types of allergies. Here are some of the most common:

• Hay fever: An allergic reaction to pollen, typically occurring in the spring and summer.

• Food allergies: An allergic reaction to certain foods such as peanuts, dairy products, or fish.

• Skin allergies: An allergic reaction to substances applied to the skin, such as latex or certain cosmetics.

• Animal allergies: An allergic reaction to animal hair or dander.

• Insect venom allergy: An allergic reaction to insect stings or bites.

Tips for avoiding allergy symptoms

Here are some tips that can help you avoid allergic reactions:

• Hay fever: Avoid being outdoors during pollen season, especially during high pollen concentrations. Close windows and doors to keep pollen out and use an air conditioner to clean the air.

• Food allergies: Read food labels carefully to make sure they do not contain any allergenic ingredients. Also, inform restaurant staff or friends if you have a food allergy to avoid inconvenience.

• Skin allergies: Use hypoallergenic products for skin care and household cleaning, and avoid products that you are allergic to.

• Animal allergies: Avoid contact with animals that you are allergic to, or keep them out of your home. If you have pets, wash them regularly and keep your home clean.

• Insect sting allergy: Avoid going barefoot outdoors, wear light-colored clothing, and use insect repellent to avoid insect stings and bites.

Tips for Alleviating Allergy Symptoms

The treatment of allergies depends on the severity of the symptoms. Some allergies require individual and specific treatment that can only be prescribed by a doctor.

Common treatment options include:

• Antihistamines: Medications that block the effects of histamine, which is released during allergic reactions.

• Epinephrine: A medication used in severe allergic reactions to increase blood pressure and open the airways.

Antihistamines as Effective Treatment Option for Allergies

While individual and specific treatment is necessary for many allergies, there are effective medications that can provide relief for symptoms of some allergies, such as hay fever, animal allergies, or dust mite allergies. A popular option is antihistamines.

There are two types of antihistamines: topical and systemic therapy. Topical medications are applied locally, such as in the form of nasal sprays, eye drops, or creams for itching. Systemically applicable drugs, on the other hand, are taken orally or injected. Local therapy is recommended for its direct effect on the site of the symptom and rapid onset of action, while systemic antihistamines have a comprehensive and long-lasting effect throughout the body.

Antihistamines work by preventing histamine from docking to specific histamine receptors. Histamine is a messenger substance released during allergic reactions that causes symptoms such as redness, swelling, itching, sneezing, and runny nose. Antihistamines can alleviate these symptoms.

The duration of use of antihistamines depends on the type of allergy. Systemic antiallergic drugs in tablet form can be used during the pollen season for hay fever. They are also suitable for year-round use in animal or dust mite allergies. Antiallergic nasal sprays and eye drops can usually be used without time limits.

Please do not confuse: "Normal" nasal sprays, which have a decongestant effect on the nasal mucosa, should only be used for up to 7 days. Otherwise, it can lead to a habituation effect and drying out of the mucosa.

Older first-generation antihistamines such as diphenhydramine often caused drowsiness due to their stronger sedative effect, which could lead to impairments in daily life. However, there are now more modern second-generation antihistamines such as cetirizine or loratadine, which have only a slight influence on histamine binding sites in the brain and make you less drowsy and thus better tolerated. Nevertheless, it is best to take them before bedtime in case a drowsy effect occurs.

Fear of medication dependence?

There are some people who generally reject medications and do not want to be dependent on them. However, with an allergy, it would be important to make a sensible assessment. For example, if you suffer from hay fever, animal or house dust mite allergies, second-generation antihistamines can be an effective treatment option. These are usually well tolerated and do not lead to any long-term damage with proper use.

Long-term relief of allergy symptoms through hyposensitization

Are anti-asthmatics a permanent solution? Not really, as they only combat the symptoms and not the cause. If the allergy-induced inflammation moves from the upper to the lower airways and into the bronchi, it can develop into allergic asthma. Therefore, it is important to treat the underlying cause, the allergy, to achieve long-term relief of allergy symptoms. Anti-allergics such as antihistamines can help alleviate symptoms such as itchy eyes and runny nose, but they alone are not a permanent solution since they do not eliminate the allergic reaction. An effective method for treating the cause of allergies is hyposensitization, where the patient's immune system is desensitized by regular administration of allergens. This can help the immune system fight allergic reactions in the long run and improve allergy symptoms.

Every case of allergy is different, so it is advisable to consult with a doctor or allergist to decide if hyposensitization is suitable for you.

Spirulina - A natural alternative for relieving hay fever symptoms?

Spirulina is a blue-green algae that is used as a dietary supplement and alternative medicine by many health gurus. Spirulina is not a miracle cure, but it could be an effective treatment option for hay fever symptoms. Some studies have shown that Spirulina can reduce the amount of inflammation-promoting molecules in the body, thus reducing the symptoms of hay fever such as sneezing, itching, and a runny nose. Although there are some promising indications of the effectiveness of Spirulina for hay fever, further studies are needed to confirm its exact effects.

Of course, Spirulina should not be considered a substitute for medical treatment. However, it can be tried and observed whether a relief of the symptoms occurs.

Closing Words

Allergies can be a difficult and unpleasant problem, but with the right diagnosis and treatment, they can often be controlled.

I have tried various methods to alleviate my hay fever symptoms. The most effective for me is taking Cetirizine before bedtime during the pollen season. When the pollen count is particularly high, I shower multiple times and change my clothes. I find higher humidity to be more comfortable. Unfortunately, Spirulina did not personally help me.