Pollen allergy

The World Allergy Organization (WAO) estimates that approximately 10 to 40% of the global population is affected by allergies (Pawankar R. et al. 2013).
Between 20 and 25% of the population is affected in Austria according to the 2019 Austrian Health Survey conducted by Statistics Austria (more than 15,000 respondents). The most common manifestation of an allergic disease is pollen allergy. Sensitization to pollen can occur at any time, so pollen allergy can occur at any age.

FAQ pollen allergy

• What is pollen allergy?

  A pollen allergy (also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis) is the body's reaction to substances in/on pollen grains from certain plants. The immune system reacts to proteins that are actually harmless, which are referred to as allergens in this context. When people with pollen allergies have contact with the allergen, various messenger substances (e.g., histamine) are released, resulting in allergic reactions and the typical allergic symptoms.

  The three main groups of plants that can trigger pollen allergies are trees, grasses, and weeds. In addition, there are fungal spores, which occur in large quantities in the outdoor air, especially in the summer months (usually between May and October). Most people with pollen allergies react to grass pollen (over 50%), closely followed by birch (over 40%) and mugwort (over 20%) (Hemmer et al. 2010). 

  The pollination periods of the most important allergenic plants can be found in our pollen calendar.

  Symptoms can also occur outside of the pollen season. This is usually due to a so-called cross-allergy. Such cross-reactions occur because the immune system confuses similarly structured proteins with the primary allergy trigger. Proteins in certain foods or other types of pollen from the same plant family are often very similar in structure and can intensify allergy symptoms upon contact, cause them to start earlier, or make them last longer and more intense.

• What are the symptoms of a pollen allergy?

  Typical symptoms of a pollen allergy include sneezing, a blocked or runny nose (rhinitis), red, irritated, and watery eyes (conjunctivitis), and itching in the palate, nose, and ears. The lungs can also be affected with cough and breathing difficulties reaching even allergic asthma, although allergic asthma is defined as a separate condition. 

  An untreated pollen allergy increases the long-term risk of developing allergic asthma. When the symptoms shift from the upper to the lower respiratory tract, this is referred to as “allergic march.” 

  On average, most people with pollen allergies describe their allergy symptoms as mild or moderate. Severe symptoms are described less frequently (Lyuten et al. 2024).
  The primary concern is to determine what the main allergen is (diagnosis!) and to get the allergic condition under control. The clarification by a medical specialist is essential in this case.

• How is a pollen allergy diagnosed?
  If you think you have a pollen allergy, it is advisable to consult a medical specialist in allergology. Pediatricians, ear, nose, and throat specialists, dermatologists, and pulmonologists often have such a specialization. Various tests are available for diagnosis. After a detailed medical history screening, a skin prick test and a blood test are usually performed. In more complex cases, a provocation test (direct contact with the allergy trigger) or a special chip test, which can be used to test a large number of allergens (including foods), may also be indicated.
• How is pollen allergy treated?

  The treatment of pollen allergies is based on three pillars: allergen avoidance, drug therapy, and immunotherapy.

  Allergen avoidance means completely avoiding or reducing contact with the triggering substances. It is therefore advisable to use our tips and tricks for allergen avoidance to keep contact with pollen and the respective allergen as low as possible, as well as to refer to pollen forecasts from scientific institutions. Complete avoidance is not possible in most cases. However, reducing exposure and taking care in everyday life is often enough to reduce symptoms.

  A variety of medications are available to treat symptoms with nasal sprays, eye drops, tablets, or drops. Antihistamines, cortisone preparations, leukotriene antagonists, and mast cell stabilizers are the most common active ingredients. The effective range of the medication varies depending on the active ingredient (Klimek et al. 2024). 

  Specific immunotherapy is still the only possible “causal” treatment for pollen allergy. This involves administering the allergen to the body at regular intervals over a longer period of time in order to develop tolerance. Various forms (injections, drops, and in some cases tablets) are available for this kind of therapy.  

  In any case, a medical consultation is recommended to discuss the most suitable treatment option for each patient and situation and to achieve the best possible quality of life with pollen allergy.

  We define ourselves as a service that provides information based on the latest scientific outcomes, particularly with regard to allergen avoidance, and aims to support you in your daily life with the most accurate pollen forecasts possible.

  Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

  The Pollen Service Vienna at MedUni Vienna wishes you all the best and will be there for you throughout the year.