2024-04-28 11:32:54
A pollen allergy is not only annoying, but it can also be dangerous if left untreated. Because it can lead to asthma and even puts pressure on the heart in the long term.
Pollen allergy, also known as hay fever, is the most common allergy, affecting around twelve million people in Germany. Especially in the spring, those affected often have a runny nose, irritated eyes and sneezing. Many pollen allergy sufferers also feel weak and are no longer as productive during pollen counts. It is important to recognize and treat the allergy correctly. If left untreated, the inflammation can migrate deeper into the respiratory tract and even lead to heart problems in the long term.
Untreated hay fever: Always have suspected allergies clarified
Many people are suffering from hay fever. In order to avoid comorbidities, it should be treated (symbolic image). © Panthermedia/Imago
In hay fever, water-soluble proteins in the pollen cause symptoms when they come into contact with the mucous membranes. These proteins are actually harmless, but allergy sufferers are hypersensitive to them and their immune system triggers an inflammatory reaction. Histamine is released and causes increased secretion formation (runny nose), itching and sneezing as well as redness and swelling of the mucous membranes. Pollen allergies can cause dry coughs and skin diseases such as neurodermatitis European Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF) explained.
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The first symptoms of hay fever can be mistaken for a cold at first. There are clear differences:
- A cold usually clears up after ten days, and allergy symptoms last throughout the pollen season
- The nasal secretion in hay fever is watery, but in a cold it is usually completely yellow.
- Itchy eyes are not as good as a cold, but they are common with allergies
If you are not sure, a doctor should clarify your symptoms. A skin test or a blood test can provide clarity here. If there is no clear result, a provocation test can be performed and, if there are breathing difficulties, a pulmonary function test can be performed.
Untreated hay fever can be harmful to the heart
It is important to diagnose pollen allergy correctly and then treat it, otherwise the inflammation can go through a so-called change of level over time and move from the upper respiratory tract (nose) to the lower respiratory tract (lung). This can lead to allergic bronchial asthma and acute attacks of shortness of breath. Around one in three people with pollen allergies are affected.
The narrowed bronchial tubes not only result in shortness of breath, but can also affect the heart at some point, warns German Heart Foundation. As the lining of the lung thickens due to the inflammation, the pressure in the blood vessels increases and the heart has to pump against higher resistance. This causes the heart muscle to contract and reduce the organ’s pumping capacity. A Swedish Study In this context, he was even able to demonstrate an increased risk of atrial fibrillation due to asthma.
In addition, the size of the coronary arteries is also affected by the allergy messenger histamine. If you have histamine intolerance, you may experience rapid heartbeat and heart palpitations. Some patients also suffer from severe palpitations, as reported by heart experts.
Medications can relieve allergy symptoms
If the doctor has diagnosed a pollen allergy, it can be treated with medication, including antihistamines and cortisone, for example German Allergy and Asthma Association (DAAB) informed. The most important step in allergy treatment is avoiding the allergy trigger (so-called allergen avoidance), which is hardly possible if you have a pollen allergy. However, the medication only relieves the symptoms of the allergy and does not address the cause.
The good news: For hay fever, causal therapy is also possible, called hyposensitization. Small amounts of the allergy trigger are administered repeatedly over a period of three to five years, as tablets, drops or injections. A kind of habituation effect comes in; The immune system slowly builds up a tolerance to the pollen proteins mistakenly considered harmful.
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This article contains only general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It does not replace a visit to the doctor in any way. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.
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