Questions about the Pollen Allergy Test

• Why should I test for pollen allergy?

  Every year during the pollen season, an increasing number of people suffer from sneezing, sniffles and reddened eyes. A pollen allergy is not only annoying, but can be extremely debilitating and reduce well-being for weeks. In addition, it is often difficult to avoid the pollen.p>

  So do you simply have to endure the pollen season and bear the discomfort? No! Experts even advise against it. Because if you are constantly exposed to your allergies, this can intensify your allergies in the long run and even increase the risk of asthma.

  It is therefore advisable to take specific measures in order to be exposed to as few pollen as possible that may cause allergy symptoms.

  To find out which grass, herb or flower pollen are causing your symptoms, a blood test for IgE antibodies is a sensible first step. This helps you to protect yourself from the triggers of a possible allergy.

• Who should take the test?

  A pollen allergy test may be useful for all individuals who display typical spring or summer allergy symptoms such as sneezing, stuffy nose and itchy eyes.

  An increasing number of people are affected by this. In total, around 15 percent of adults in Germany suffer from pollen allergies during their lifetime. In some cases a pollen allergy also only develops in the course of life, often in adulthood.

• How does the test work?

  To perform the Pollen Allergy Test, obtain a small blood sample from your fingertip using a lancet. Only a few drops of blood are required. You will then place the drops on a dry blood spot card – this way you only obtain a very small amount of blood and the sample lasts long.

  The sample is then sent to a medical laboratory free of charge by return envelope. The laboratory analyses the number of IgE antibodies to certain grass, herb and flower pollen. After the analysis you will receive a notification and can access the results report via the online customer area or the my cerascreen® app.

• What will the result tell me?

  The results report

  A table indicates how sensitive you are to 16 different allergens, i.e. whether there are too many of the IgE antibodies in the blood that react to the respective pollen. This sensitivity represents the potential of your immune system to react with allergic reactions to pollen. It is an indication of a possible allergy.

  An increased number of antibodies is a first indication of a possible pollen allergy. For a final diagnosis, speak to a doctor with experience in allergy diagnostics.

• What type of recommendations will I receive?

  Increased IgE levels are a sign of an allergy, but are not a diagnosis in themselves. It can also happen that elevated IgE levels are not associated with symptoms and are completely unproblematic. You can use the results as a first indication to observe your symptoms more closely in everyday life or to discuss further action with your doctor.

  A definite diagnosis of an allergy can only be made by doctors who, in addition to the test results, take a medical history of your symptoms.

  The result report provides information on which types of pollen are in season and how to identify different trees and grasses that may cause allergies. It also tells you how you can reduce your symptoms during the pollen season with everyday measures, household remedies and a healthy gut.

• Which pollen is tested for?

  The cerascreen® Pollenallergie Test measures the concentration of IgE antibodies for different types of pollen and in addition the allergen of the ficus benjamina, which can often lead to pollen allergy-like symptoms.

  Grassses and herbs: Bahia grass, mugwort, parietaria, grass mix, bermuda grass, rye, timothy grass

  Plants: Ragweed, olive, poplar, ribwort, cyprus and the sap of the ficus benjamina

  Trees: Birch, alder, hazelnut

• What are IgE antibodies

  the case of an allergy, a malfunctioning of your immune system occurs. Immunoglobulins E (IgE), specific antibodies of your immune system, play a central role in this process. Specific means that one type of IgE-antibody is specialized in the defense against certain foreign bodies. p>

  In case of an allergy, these specific IgE antibodies occur too frequently in the body. They trigger a malfunction of the immune system when they encounter harmless proteins from food, animal hair or even pollen. The mast cells, a kind of immune cell, then release the messenger substance histamine. The histamine then causes inflammation, which in turn leads to the typical allergy symptoms.

• What syptoms can I expect from a pollen allergy?

  A pollen allergy is an allergy of the immediate type. The symptoms therefore occur immediately or shortly after encountering the pollen.

  Typical symptoms of a pollen allergy are:
  - runny nose, itching in nose and sneezing
  - itchy and red eyes
  - sore throat, breathing difficulties and even allergic asthma - skin rashes
  - headache and fatigue

  In particular, constant sneezing and concentration difficulties caused by the pollen allergy can also reduce the ability to drive and increase the risk of road accidents.

• What can be the consequence of a pollen allergy?

  An untreated pollen allergy is not only extremely unpleasant in everyday life. It can also be accompanied by a number of consequences.

  If the mucous membranes are constantly irritated because of hay fever, this causes the mucous membranes to react more sensitively to external stimuli and increases the risk of sinusitis..

  In addition, the allergy can lead to a so-called "level change". This means that the allergy moves to the lower respiratory tract and causes allergic asthma.

  A pollen allergy can also cause a cross-sensitivity / cross-allergy, especially with food.

• What cross-allergies exist?

  A pollen allergy causes the immune system to initiate defensive reactions against proteins in the pollen. However, these proteins are similar in structure to some proteins in certain foods. It can therefore happen that your body expands its allergic reactions to these similarly structured proteins: a cross-sensitivity develops.

  The most known is the interaction between birch pollen and fruit, which is often referred to as "birch-fruit syndrome".

  We have listed some typical cross-allergies here. People who react to the following pollen have, in some cases, cross-sensitivities to the foods mentioned.
  - Birch pollen: Hazelnut, and other nut and fruit
  - Mugfort pollen and other grasses: Celery, mustard, onion, spices, other fruits and vegetables
  - Ragweed pollen: Melon, banana, zucchini, cucumber

• What should I do if I am allergic to pollen?

  If you are suffering from a pollen allergy, it is usually much more difficult to avoid the allergens than, for example, if you are allergic to food or animal hair.

  But it is worthwhile to reduce the amount of pollen you encounter. With these tips, you can do this in everyday life:
  - Pollen nets in front of the windows and special masks for outside use must be obtained regularly
  - Change clothes when enterin the house and do not place them in the bedroom - Washing your hair before going to bed
  - Air out the houseat the right time, e.g. in the morning if you are allergic to grass pollen, and in the evening if you are allergic to mugwort

  One study showed that black cumin oil was an effective household remedy. Applied externally, it could relieve inflammation of the nasal mucosa.

  In addition, studies have shown that there are links between pollen allergy and intestinal health. So it might be worthwhile to strengthen your intestinal flora, for example by eating a diet rich in fiber or taking pre- and probiotics .

• Are there medications for pollen allergy?

  To temporarily alleviate your symptoms , you can also take medication.The most common are:

  Antihistamines: These pills counteract the release of histamine in the body. They thereby reduce inflammation and alleviate allergic asthma.

  Nasal sprays and nasal drops: These medications usually contain alpha-sympathomimetics, which reduce swelling of mucous membranes, or cortisone, which has an anti-inflammatory effect.

  However, these drugs only treat the symptoms and not the allergy itself. They should not be taken on a long-term basis.

• Are there treatments for pollen allergies?

  The only known causative therapy for an allergy is specific immunotherapy. In the case of a pollen allergy, this treatment can work in many cases.

  You will be given a low dose of the allergen at regular intervals, by injection or by drops or tablets. This therapy usually lasts for three years. If it is successful, your immune system has been virtually reprogrammed and no longer classifies the allergenic pollen as a danger.

  If you are interested in immunotherapy against your pollen allergy, talk to a specialist in allergology.

• Can I prevent a pollen allergy?

  The course for an allergy is probably determined in the body in early childhood. Preventing allergies in children is therefore still possible, especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

  The following factors can probably reduce the allergy risk in children:
  - A natural birth, if a caesarean section is not medically necessary
  - Breastfeeding, preferably at least the first four months
  - Eating a balanced diet during pregnancy and ensuring the supply of omega-3 fatty acids.
  

  In general, the tendency to allergies and similar diseases is inherited. Preventive measures are therefore particularly useful if one or both parents already suffer from allergies, asthma or atopic dermatitis.

• Who is the test not suitable for?

  The Pollen Allergy Test is not or only partially suitable for the following groups of people:

  People with infectious diseases like hepatitis and HIV must not perform the Pollen Allergy Test.

  People with hemophilia should not perform the blood test.

  Pregnant and breastfeeding women should only perform the Pollen Allergy Test under medical supervision. The reference values and recommendations do not apply to them, so they should obtain recommendations on the test result from their doctor or therapist.

  The Pollen Allergy Test is not suitable for children under 18 years.

  The test is not intended to diagnose disease. For example, if you suffer from chronic diarrhea or extreme pain, consult a doctor.