About 15 percent of people in Germany have an Allergy to pollen. Nurseries have you identified as a particular target group: In commercial plants, the sterile and pollen free, and as a solution for Allergy sufferers can be applied, like to spend their time in the garden. Environmentalists are not enthusiastic, and also Allergy experts are convinced limited.
Bring pollen-free plants Allergy to something?
You have to distinguish in the case of this topic, two plant groups:
- For one, there are plants that make their relatively light Pollen in the air and the Wind to carry away. These are the so-called Windblütler. You recognize them often because their flowers are inconspicuous.
- On the other, there are the so-called Insektenblütler. They lure insects with beautiful flowers, the animals bring the heavy, large Pollen to other flowers.
Hazelnut, alder and birch, on a relatively large number of pollen Allergy sufferers to react, and let their pollen using the Wind to fly. The Problem: A garden without birch could not protect against allergic reactions to birch pollen, explains Anja schwalfen mountain from the German Allergy and asthma Association in Moenchengladbach, Germany. “Because the Pollen is wind-blooded plants such as the birch can be spread by the Wind very far.”
Pollen in Germany
Even those with plant allergies may trigger the insects as pollen carriers. The come but rarely. The use of sterile plants for pollen Allergy sufferers, therefore, only a limited effect, says schwalfen mountain.
Sterile plants are bad for the nature?
Environmentalists speak clearly against sterile plants, especially when it comes to such plants, the insects for food must be controlled. The small animals common to find little food in nature and the gardens.
Marja Rottleb from the naturschutzbund Deutschland (Nabu) sees it, but critically, if all of the greed to make your front yard complete with gravel, to protect themselves. Your plea for the sake of the environment: “In no case should not be used on plants.”
Other solutions: plant as a pollen catcher
Conservationist Rottleb can understand the thoughts of many home gardeners, if you purchase pollen-free plants. But it was ignorance. Because to not do without plants with allergenic potential, it means that you have to put on sterile versions.
Both Experts advise Allergy sufferers of wind pollinated plants. Alternatively, you should put on Green, that spreads its Pollen through insects. This also applies to people who have contact or fragrance allergies.
- Rottleb recommends, for example, instead of birch, and hazelnut is better thorn or cornelian cherry white plants.
- And to use it instead of a geranium about a blood-cranesbill or the Wild mallow for the balcony box.
Especially in the case of hay fever Nabu expert Rottleb advises to put the right plants in the garden. Because deciduous trees and shrubs can have a big impact as a perimeter planted around the plot, you can put so contrary to the wind blütlern in the neighborhood something.
About birch seeds fly through the air, catch in the leaves of the trees. The next rain washes them into the soil and the Allergy trigger is banned. Well as pollen catcher, field maple or basswood are suitable according to the Nabu expert.
Of course, Who knows that he is responding to a certain species of plant hypersensitive should not put these in his garden. It is important Also to related species should be abandoned, the cross can trigger reactions. For example, people with birch-tree plant Allergy, no Hazels.
How can protect themselves allergic to pollen, otherwise?
In order to reduce the pollen load, it is recommended to change clothes upon Entering the apartment. Also, it is advisable, before bed, the hair is going to rinse out with water. In the countryside, pollen in the early hours of the morning, is strongest in the city, however, the Maximum is reached only in the evening: it is not Recommended to unravel, in particular the bedroom during this, the strongest stress.
What medications help with hay fever?
In case of acute symptoms, called antihistamines are used. It is available as a nasal spray or eye drops as well as tablets and drops at the pharmacy. In stronger cases, the doctor cortisone can prescribe-containing medium.
The so-called desensitization is the only way to treat the cause of an Allergy. In this case, the relevant Allergen is administered in increasing dose to get used to the body. Up to 70 percent of patients are often permanently, or for a longer period of time complaint. In addition, the therapy can help to prevent the dreaded floor of the exchange, in the case of an Allergy to an allergic Asthma developed.
