Hay fever and pollen allergies are becoming a problem for more and more people. The symptoms are similar to those of a cold.

Hay fever occurs mainly in spring and summer and is not considered curable.

Allergies can be controlled if you are willing to adjust your lifestyle, mentality and diet accordingly.

What do you have to keep in mind to avoid hay fever?

How to relieve or avoid hay fever without medication

• Additives in food increase the body's sensitivity. Fast food and chemical additives should therefore be avoided at all costs.

• A balanced diet with sufficient vitamins and minerals is necessary for the immune system. Vitamins A and C are particularly important for people who suffer from hay fever.

• Eat yoghurt or other sour milk products three times a week.

• Cake, chocolate, coffee, tinned food, soft drinks, sugar, tobacco and white flour products should be avoided as far as possible, or at least only consumed in moderation.

• During the allergy season, it is better to stay indoors and keep the windows closed, especially in the afternoon. You can do sports outside in the morning, but only from around eight o'clock, as the plants release pollen between five and eight o'clock in the morning.

• Drive in the car during the day with the air conditioning on and the windows closed.

• Shower, wash your hair and change your clothes after spending a long time in the fresh air, as the pollen settles in your hair and clothes.

• Keep pets either completely indoors or completely outdoors, as they bring pollen in their fur into the house.

• Avoid parks with lots of grass.

• Injections of steroids can lead to increased susceptibility to normal colds.

• Hygiene in the home is particularly important, as allergens in the home can increase sensitivity to allergens outside.

• Wash your eyes over the sink several times a day.

• Protect your eyes with sunglasses so that the pollen does not get into your eyes.

• Follow the pollen reports on TV or the internet and stay indoors when the danger is greatest.

• Ask friends for help if you want to mow the lawn, for example.