Red eyes, runny nose, dry throat – what many people dismiss as a summer cold is widespread: pollen allergy. The reactions are also similar with dust mites and their excrements. The devastating part: Without timely treatment, it gets worse – in every way. Manufacturers say air purifiers are designed to help create clean air. But what’s the point? Are air purifiers health promoters or are they more of a marketing ploy in the zeitgeist of being overly careful about keeping things clean? IMTEST interviewed an expert on pollen allergies, dared an allergy test and tested the efficiency of air purifiers. That came out.
Air purifier against pollen allergy: that’s what the expert says
For Uwe Berger, the topic of pollen allergies is anything but talking about sensitivities. As head of the research group “Aerobiology and Pollen Information” and the “Austrian Pollen Warning Service” he deals full-time with the causes and effects of the widespread allergy. He answered questions for IMTEST in an interview.
IMPEST: Everyone knows the annual sniffling, sniffling and sneezing when the pollen season begins in spring. On the one hand, the topic of pollen allergies is widespread. On the other hand, many sufferers seem to simply accept it. Is the pollen allergy underestimated?
Uwe Berger: Yes, the pollen allergy is actually still underestimated as a disease. Especially the older generations of those affected often downplay symptoms. Even with children, it is quickly dismissed as a summer cold. This is fatal. Because what starts with slightly irritated eyes and a little sniffle for a few days a year can develop into strong reactions that last for several months or almost the whole year. Reacting in time can prevent this. But you have to recognize the allergy and take it seriously.
IMPEST: Irritated eyes and mucous membranes are typical reactions that many of those affected are familiar with. But are there also consequences and how serious are these for adults and children?
Uwe Berger: It’s important to understand that if left untreated, it won’t just be a simple “summer cold.” Rather, a chain reaction occurs. It begins with the symptoms mentioned, develops into an annoying runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, and the throat area is also irritated. In the worst case, it reaches the lungs, which can lead to asthma. The constant irritation also attacks the natural mucosal barrier. This opens the floodgates for the entry of other allergens – and the next allergy develops. The complaints are getting stronger, becoming more diverse, and in the worst case we are talking about the so-called change of floor.
In the case of children and young people, there are also social restrictions for the most part. Due to the health impairment, less or no sport is possible, and playing and working out with other children in the open air is also missing. Learning performance can also decrease noticeably, since allergic diseases make it difficult to concentrate in class.
IMPEST: Is the widespread assumption correct that allergic reactions to pollen are stronger in rural areas than in the city? How are air quality and pollen allergies related?
Uwe Berger: Studies of allergic reactions and air quality in urban and rural areas have shown that allergic reactions are significantly stronger in urban areas. The conclusion from the study: A high proportion of allergens in good air quality is less aggressive than in poor air quality with fewer allergens. In the city, the respiratory tract and mucous membranes are constantly exposed to exhaust fumes, particulate matter and other air pollution. In addition, the plants are also irritated by bad air, which means that they produce more aggressive allergens. Good air is a key component for a healthy population. In your own four walls, air purifiers are the best way to create a low-allergen environment.
IMPEST: If you have a pollen allergy, shouldn’t you ventilate at all and just let the air purifiers do the work?
Uwe Berger: No, absolutely not. Fresh air is important. However, it is advisable to keep it to airing and preferably when the pollen count is low. The pollen warning service we developed can check this depending on the location and gives an estimate of how strong the pollen load is during the day (www.pollenwarndienst.at). The air purifier helps after airing.
IMPEST: How can air purifiers help with allergies and against air pollution?
Uwe Berger: Just ten minutes is enough to remove more than 95% of allergens from indoor air. The air purifier not only removes pollen, but also dust, dirt, fungal spores and chemical compounds (odours). With the cleaning, it relieves the respiratory tract and immune system. Devices that analyze the air independently and react automatically depending on the load are particularly good. The recovery of the immune system is also beneficial so that you can go outside stronger the next day.
Pollen allergy: useful information summarized
- Untreated pollen allergies can lead to further allergies (cross-allergies) and chronic diseases such as asthma. Timely treatment is therefore important.
- Bad air quality has an effect on plants and the immune system and air cleaner help with allergies: They relieve the immune system, improve air quality and remove allergens such as pollen.
The right air purifier against allergies
Air purifiers help relieve the immune system, making it better able to deal with allergies. Removing pollen at home or at work can also help those affected to breathe deeply. An automatic system that allows the air purifier to react depending on the pollution of the air quality creates additional comfort. A display of the condition of the air quality is also useful. IMTEST checks both Air purifiers in the test.
Check outside air
Air purifiers not only help actively against allergies, but also passively. Manufacturers such as Philips and Medion provide extensive information about the air quality with their app – also outdoors. This enables those affected to better plan when and whether they want to expose themselves to heavy, moderate or only light pollen pollution.
If you don’t have an air purifier, you can protect yourself against allergies with independent apps. For example the one developed by Uwe Berger (see interview above). www.pollenwarndienst.at helps to find out information about the pollen load depending on the location. There is also an app for this.
Medical treatment
However, domestic measures such as those mentioned do not replace treatment. A visit to the ear, nose and throat doctor not only provides certainty about which pollen and other substances the body is allergic to. By hyposensitization is a treatment possible that brings long-term immunity to said substances. This is comparable to a vaccination. Extracts containing the allergen are administered to the patient at regular intervals and over a longer period of time. The body adapts to this and, in the best case, no longer reacts allergically after the treatment. According to the treating physicians, the chance of success of such a treatment is about 80 percent. Unlike pet hair allergies pays the health insurance the treatment of pollen allergies and thus react to pollen allergy as a serious illness.
