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Local Germany
4 days ago
- Climate
- Local Germany
How to manage seasonal allergies in Germany
More and more people seem to dread the arrival of spring and summer each year, fearing that the appearance of flowers and blossoms will herald a running nose and itchy eyes. For some newcomers in Germany, learning the word ' Heuschnupfen ' comes with experiencing it at a whole new level, or even for the first time. For those who suffer through the spring season, here's a look at what accounts for the rise in cases seen in recent years, as well as some of the best things you can do to reduce your suffering. Why are allergy cases on the rise? According to a press release from European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation , the pollen season really does last longer each year: 'Climate change means that pollen from grasses and herbaceous plants is flying around longer into the autumn, while trees are starting to bloom earlier in the year." Certain plants and trees, such as ragweed and birch (which bear an outsized responsibility for producing large quantities of allergenic pollen), are growing faster than ever before and producing even greater quantities of pollen as a result of global warming. Lifestyle changes in Germany are also a factor In common with much of the developed world, population density continues to increase in major cities in Germany – and numerous studies have shown that a higher proportion of people in cities suffer from seasonal allergies, compared with people who live in the countryside. Cities tend to be a few degrees warmer than the surrounding rural areas, which encourages plants to produce even more pollen. Common urban pollutants such as exhaust fumes can also make pollen grains more allergenic, according to a study in The Scientific World Journal . In addition, many cities in Germany have followed a policy of planting male-only trees, in order to protect streets (and the paintwork of cars) from the seeds, fruits or pods produced by female trees. However, the relatively high number of male, pollen producing trees, and the relative absence of female, pollen receiving trees, amounts to vast quantities of surplus pollen filling the air in our cities, and therefore also our eyes, noses and lungs. Other changes in the way we live may also have an impact on our susceptibility to allergies. The move towards smaller family sizes and improved sanitation means that infants are typically exposed to fewer infectious diseases. Some studies suggest that these infections – previously acquired from older siblings in larger families – play a part in conferring protection against allergies. Before German reunification, for example, allergy rates were significantly lower in the GDR (where larger households were more common) than they were in West Germany. Within a decade of reunification, as lifestyles began to align across the former border, so did the rates of hay fever. Advertisement How to avoid giving in to seasonal allergies 1. Don't suffer unnecessarily. Find the antihistamine which works for you and keep it close. The go-to, over the counter antihistamine in Germany is Cetirizine (around €8 for 100 pills), but bear in mind that it makes some people sleepy. You may want to take your daily dose before going to bed. A piece of advice: finding the right hay fever medication for you can be a hit and miss process. Some medications won't start working until a few days after you start taking them and others won't work at all. Visit your nearest chemist and ask for Heuschnupfentabletten . They will be able to advise you on alternatives including Loratadin and Levocetirizine, or on nasal sprays which can provide more immediate relief. READ ALSO: German word of the day: Heuschnupfen 2. Try and get into the habit of washing your hands and face when you come home to remove pollen. If you have time, take a shower and wash your hair. Turn your pillow over at night for the same reason, and try to change your bedding more frequently. To reduce the number of allergens in your environment, vacuum your floors and regularly wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth. When the time comes to replace your pillows, blankets and mattresses, go hypoallergenic. Advertisement 3. Ask your doctor to refer you for an allergy test. If you can find out exactly what's causing the allergic reaction, you have a much better chance of avoiding it. You can also play detective on your own, by using this pollen risk index tool from the German weather service to find out what types of pollen are in the air while you're having a reaction. 4. Avoid filling your home, garden or balcony with plants which make your symptoms worse. Sunflowers, daisies and chrysanthemums are all related to ragweed – an invasive species in Germany and one of the primary causes of hay fever in the country.
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Newsweek
These Cats Never Saw Sunlight—Then Everything Changed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. At first glance, these photos of a cat basking in a sun patch at home don't seem unusual—but what makes Henry go viral is the fact that he spent the first four years of his life without sunlight. The orange cat and his sibling Ruby were adopted by Angela Kasper in 2020, when she was living in a small one-bedroom apartment on the lowest floor. "Just across the way from me was another building, plus lots of trees and landscaping that blocked nearly all direct sunlight," she said. She shared on Reddit how happy she was to see her pets "get loads of direct sun" in their new house. The post quickly went viral, receiving 36,000 upvotes in just 24 hours. Henry lying in a sun patch indoors and a close up of his face. Henry lying in a sun patch indoors and a close up of his face. Reddit/Aggressive_labeling The May 20 post shows Henry lying on a rug in a sunny spot, along with a close-up of his face—he looks extremely relaxed, with his paws curled up. Kasper, who goes by u/Aggressive_labeling online, added: "We only got diffuse light throughout the day—enough to keep things cool in the summer, which I didn't mind—but I often thought how nice it would be for the cats to feel the sun. "So, when we moved into a freestanding house with big, south-facing windows, it was no surprise that he immediately claimed the sunniest spots as his own. You can see it on his face—pure bliss. "Both cats love soaking up the rare sunny days we get here in the Pacific Northwest, especially from their favorite spots in the 'catio.'" (L-R) Henry cuddled up next to Ruby on their bed. Henry enjoying the direct sunshine. (L-R) Henry cuddled up next to Ruby on their bed. Henry enjoying the direct sunshine. Angela Kasper While humans tend to feel just right at around 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius), cats prefer it much warmer—anywhere from 86 degrees Fahrenheit to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius to 38 degrees Celsius). This makes sense, considering a cat's normal body temperature is higher than a human's—usually between 99 degrees Fahrenheit and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (37.2 degrees Celsius to 39.2 degrees Celsius). So if your cat is always seeking warm spots, like sunbeams or cozy blankets, it's just trying to stay comfortable in a cooler-than-ideal world. Studies show that how well a cat is cared for at home mostly depends on how much attention the owner pays to its needs. Since the owner controls everything about the cat's environment, their choices really matter. Sometimes what owners see as "bad behavior" is just normal feline behavior. But in other cases, these behaviors could be signs that the cat is stressed or unhappy due to a poor living environment. A researcher cited by The Scientific World Journal noted that many behavioral issues stem from poor or changing living conditions, owners not fully understanding what their cats need, having unrealistic expectations, or not interacting enough with their pets. Regardless of the cause, a stressful home environment or rough handling makes life harder for the cat. Reddit Reacts Cat lovers have joined in to share photos of their own pets doing the same—or to compliment Henry's visible contentment. "He looks really happy," praised one user, while another joked: "Careful, if they get too much sun they may just become the happiest kitty who has ever lived." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
