Not only is the number of affected individuals increasing, but climate change is also making the pollen season longer and more intense, reported the Austrian Pollen Information Service (ÖPID) at a press conference in Vienna. This year, they will continue to support allergy sufferers throughout the year, with the offering continually expanding, recently with an AI-generated podcast. On Tuesday, it was announced that 25 domestic and 500 European measuring stations provide an overview of what the population can expect.
Half of the population is now sensitized to various substances (from pollen to animals to metals), with half of them suffering from allergy symptoms, according to Fritz Horak, the medical director of the Allergy Center Vienna West. Those suffering from pollen allergies are at the forefront, with grasses and birch being the main culprits, causing runny noses, swollen eyes, and sometimes even asthma. Like many “common diseases,” allergies are often underestimated, diagnosed too late, and treated inadequately.
Three Approaches to Treatment
Affected individuals can undergo immunotherapy, typically over three years, to build up tolerance to the allergen, leading to a long-lasting effect, according to the expert. In addition, medications can alleviate symptoms. Lastly, one can try to avoid exposure to allergens, with help from the pollen information service. Through www.polleninformation.at, individuals can stay informed about the current situation and the expected pollen burdens—via apps, podcasts, or online self-tests.
As for the current situation, hazel and alder trees were already active in mid-January due to the warm winter and reached their peak in the first week of March, according to Lukas Dirr, aerobiological director at the ÖPID. Ash trees are expected to peak between mid-March and mid-April. Birch, a major allergen, may not be as bothersome this year due to its biennial rhythm. After birch pollen, grasses will follow, then mugwort and ragweed, until purple alder completes the pollen year in December. According to Dirr, pollen affects 300 days of the year.
