Pollen allergy
Do you have a general cold during the spring and summer months?
Then chances are that you are allergic to pollen.
Pollen allergy
Do you have a general cold during the spring and summer months?
Then chances are that you are allergic to pollen.

If you often have a stuffy nose, itchy and irritated eyes, sneeze and feel generally sniffly during the spring and summer months, chances are you are allergic to pollen.
Pollen allergy is very common. In fact, one in five people have a pollen allergy and research shows that it will only become more common. A contributing factor is warmer temperatures and increased levels of carbon dioxide, which causes some plants to produce more pollen.
There are different types of hypersensitivity when it comes to pollen allergy. The most common is an allergy to birch or grass pollen as they are both what is known as ‘wind-pollinated’. They are therefore spread by the wind and can be found almost everywhere.
Pollen allergy from alder and hazel is also common, but many other trees and plants can also cause problems.
The most common symptoms of pollen allergy are itchy, runny and stuffy nose. You may also experience a runny nose and sneezing attacks. Some people also experience some itching in the throat. In pollen allergy, it is also common for the eyes to become sensitive, itchy, swollen and generally irritating.
Pollen allergy and symptoms on pollen allergy occur when the immune system overreacts to the seed meal (pollen) in the air. Symptoms first appear when the seed meal in the air forms allergy antibodies which then settle on our mast cells in the nose, trachea and the mucous membranes of the eyes. Our mast cells contain histamine, which is released when allergens enter our body, leading to allergic symptoms for some people.
Medicines and antihistamines cannot get rid of your pollen allergy, but they can relieve your allergic symptoms. On the other hand, only half of all pollen allergy sufferers report that medication relieves their symptoms. Vaccination can be offered to those with very severe pollen allergy, where treatment with medicines is not sufficient. Vaccination can be administered by injections and the aim of the treatment is to relieve the patient of difficult allergy symptoms. However, an allergy cannot be completely removed, and access to allergy vaccination in Sweden is unfortunately low.
You can also try the NOSA allergy filter which is an effective nasal filter developed to filter allergens such as pollen, pet dander, dust and mold. A reduced exposure to allergens reduces the risk of allergic symptoms. Remember to place the nasal filter in your nose before going out! Can be used up to 8h.
There is a variety of pollen, including alder, elm, aspen, birch, oak, mugwort, grass, hazel and sallow. People with allergies can be sensitive to different types of pollen. Some people are only allergic to one type of pollen, while others may be multi-allergic and react to several different types of pollen.
There are various remedies that can help alleviate the symptoms, and in the best-case scenario they can even eliminate them altogether.
Pollen occurs every year as it is seasonal. The pollen period lasts from early spring to autumn and for pollen allergy sufferers the symptoms can vary depending on the amount of pollen and when it is most active.
Different types of pollen are active at different times of the season. The active period can also vary depending on where you live in the country.
Al
February – May
Elm
March – May
Aspen
March – May
Birch
March – June
Oak
May – June
Greywood
July – September
Grass
May – September
Hazel
February – April
Willow
April – June