Achoo! - Hazel and Alder Pollen Already Flying in Bavaria - Bavaria's Early Pollen Season Sparks Hay Fever Surge Amid Climate Shifts

Unseasonably warm February weather has brought an early start to the pollen season in Bavaria. Hazel and alder pollen are already triggering allergies, affecting many residents across the region. Experts warn that climate change is making hay fever worse each year.

Over the past two decades, hazel and alder pollen have spread more widely in Bavaria than in previous decades. Studies by the German Weather Service and the Pollen Information Service show the season now begins one to two weeks earlier. Warmer winters and shifting climate patterns have also extended its duration and increased pollen concentrations.

Around 1.4 million people in Bavaria suffer from hay fever. Symptoms like itchy eyes, runny noses, and sneezing appear when exposed to these pollens. The state's electronic Pollen Information Network (ePIN) helps track levels with eight monitoring stations, updating counts every three hours.

For those affected, the free ePIN app offers a pollen diary feature. Users can log symptoms, adjust behaviour, and manage medication more effectively. Doctors advise starting treatment early to reduce discomfort during peak pollen times.

The early arrival of hazel and alder pollen highlights the growing impact of climate change on allergies. With longer seasons and higher pollen levels, sufferers in Bavaria face more frequent and severe symptoms. Monitoring tools and medical advice remain key to managing the effects of hay fever this year.