We are happy to answer your queries. Meanwhile we are an established service resulting in the receipt of many queries. Therefore, we kindly ask you to use first our FAQs before you contact us or the respective team. Then, we can answer the remaining queries with partly intense research and respective expertise as fast as possible to give you advice.
Moreover, we hope to do you a service with our FAQs, that saves your time and provides interesting insight into the most frequent questions.

Pollen season

When does the hazel pollen season start/end?
In Austria, the hazel (Corylus) pollen season potentially starts in mid-January and may last until mid-April. The assessment of the current pollen situation in Austria can be found in the latest written forecast. Please keep in mind that the dates for the expected readiness to flower were calculated by a temperature model. This model is not perfect and only indicates the expected start of flowering. Please use the model data only in combination with the written forecast, which is based on phenological observations and actual pollen data. An overview of the regional and historic hazel pollen season in terms of duration and intensity can be viewed in the pollen countdown.

When does the alder pollen season start/end?
In general, grey alder (Alnus incana) and common/black alder (Alnus glutinosa) are the main contributors of the Austrian alder pollen season. Both species flower from early/middle January until the end of April. The assessment of the current pollen situation in Austria can be found in the latest written forecast. Please keep in mind that the dates for the expected readiness to flower were calculated by a temperature model. This model is not perfect and only indicates the expected start of flowering. Please use the model data only in combination with the written forecast, which is based on phenological observations and actual pollen data. An overview of the regional and historic alder pollen season in terms of duration and intensity can be viewed in the pollen countdown.
Additionally, two further alder species may cause allergic burden in Austria, the Spaeth’s Alder (Alnus x spaethii) and the green alder (Alnus viridis). The Spaeth’s Alder is not native in Austria and therefore can be found only in parks or green spaces as ornamental plant. Its flowering period starts in mid-December and ends in mid-January. To the contrary the green alder is found only at higher altitudes in the Alps and its flowering period lasts from May until the end of June. We keep you informed on the status of these two alder species in the written forecast.

When does the ash pollen season start/end?
In Austria, the ash (Fraxinus) pollen season potentially starts at the begin of March and usually ends at the end of March. The assessment of the current pollen situation in Austria can be found in the latest written forecast. An overview of the regional and historic ash pollen season in terms of duration and intensity can be viewed in the pollen countdown.

When does the birch pollen season start/end?
In Austria, the birch (Betula) pollen season potentially starts in mid-March and may last until the end of May. The assessment of the current pollen situation in Austria can be found in the latest written forecast. Please keep in mind that the dates for the expected readiness to flower were calculated by a temperature model. This model is not perfect and only indicates the expected start of flowering. Please use the model data only in combination with the written forecast, which is based on phenological observations and actual pollen data. An overview of the regional and historic birch pollen season in terms of duration and intensity can be viewed in the pollen countdown.

When does the plane tree pollen season start/end?
In Austria, the plane tree (Platanus) pollen season potentially starts at the begin of March and ends in the middle or at the end of May. The assessment of the current pollen situation in Austria can be found in the latest written forecast. An overview of the regional and historic plane tree pollen season in terms of duration and intensity can be viewed in the pollen countdown.

When does the grass pollen season start/end?
In Austria, the grass pollen season (Poaceae) potentially starts in mid-April and ends at the end of August. In some regions of Austria (Lake Neusiedl, Burgenland) it is prolonged by the reed bloom until the end of September. The assessment of the current pollen situation in Austria can be found in the latest written forecast. Please keep in mind that the dates for the expected readiness to flower were calculated by a temperature model. This model is not perfect and only indicates the expected start of flowering. Please use the model data only in combination with the written forecast, which is based on phenological observations and actual pollen data. An overview of the regional and historic grass pollen season in terms of duration and intensity can be viewed in the pollen countdown.
The grass pollen season is not caused by a single but by several grass species and grass pollen allergy sufferers may only react to pollen of some species. Therefore, the duration and severity of allergic burden varies for each individual grass pollen allergy sufferer.

When does the rye pollen season start/end?
In Austria, the rye (Secale cereale) pollen season potentially starts in mid-May and may last until mid-June. The assessment of the current pollen situation in Austria can be found in the latest written forecast. An overview of the regional and historic rye pollen season in terms of duration and intensity can be viewed in the pollen countdown.

When does the mugwort pollen season start/end?
In Austria, the mugwort (Artemisia) pollen season potentially starts at the begin of July and may last until the beginning of September. The assessment of the current pollen situation in Austria can be found in the latest written forecast. An overview of the regional and historic mugwort pollen season in terms of duration and intensity can be viewed in the pollen countdown.

When does the ragweed pollen season start/end?
In Austria, the ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollen season potentially starts in mid-July and may last until the beginning of October. The assessment of the current pollen situation in Austria can be found in the latest written forecast. An overview of the regional and historic ragweed pollen season in terms of duration and intensity can be viewed in the pollen countdown.

When does the fungal spore season start/end?
The main component of the outdoor fungal allergenic burden are spores of Alternaria. The fungal spore season potentially starts at the end of April and can last until the start of December. The assessment of the current fungal spore situation in Austria can be found in the latest written forecast. An overview of the regional and historic period of burden from fungal spores in terms of duration and intensity can be viewed in the pollen countdown.

Will it be a mild/ intense pollen season?
To predict the intensity of a pollen season is a challenge. A long-term forecast concerning the intensity is not possible for most allergenic plants. The intensity of a flowering period is dependent on meteorological factors, like temperature, precipitation and hours of sunshine. Additionally, accurate predictions are limited to the period when accurate weather forecast are available. The assessments of the Austrian Pollen Information Service are based on current and historic pollen data, the current phenology, temperature models and the expertise and experience of our aerobiologists. As soon as we can confidently give predictions for the intensity for a particular allergenic plant (we provide this for the following plants: hazel, alder, ash, birch, grasses, mugwort, ragweed) it is announced in the current written pollen forecast. Please consider that regional differences may lead to differing pollen season durations, pollen season starts and ends in the nine federal states of Austrian. The current comparison to the average intensity is provided in the “Current Data” section under “Current Charts”.

Forecasts and Services

For my area, a high allergenic burden is forecasted. Why am I not experiencing any allergenic symptoms?
Pollen allergy sufferers can react very individually on a personal level. While some may already experience a distinct/markedly allergic reaction while being exposed to a low pollen concentration, others may react only when exposed to high pollen concentrations. Our pollen forecast are based on airborne pollen concentrations. If you have been diagnosed to suffer from a pollen allergy and experience no allergic symptoms during a period of high pollen concentrations, the pollen threshold to trigger your immune system response is likely relatively high (low pollen or allergen concentrations may in your case not trigger an allergic response). Please keep in mind, that changed medication may lead to a different response of your immune system (e.g. an allergen immunotherapy may change the intensity of your immune system response). You can record your daily allergy symptoms using the Pollen Diary (https://pollendiary.com; “Pollen App”), to compare your symptoms with the actual pollen load of the main allergenic plants.

For my area, no allergenic burden has been forecasted. Why am I experiencing allergic symptoms?
This situation may occur before the start of the main flowering period and you unconsciously visited a climatically favoured location (e.g. southern exposure). Here, a single specimen may already have started to flower before the widespread start of the flowering of this plant on average. The allergic burden of these individuals is restricted to their close surroundings. Furthermore, it has been discovered that the allergen (the protein causing the allergic reaction) can be present in the air even before the flowering and the pollen release has started. Highly sensitive pollen allergy sufferers may then already experience symptoms. Please keep in mind and consider the possibility of allergic cross-reactions or a secondary allergic reaction to a new type of pollen in addition.

Why do the forecast maps not show a similar distribution of pollen concentrations?
Each forecast map we are using is based on a different model. Currently, we are using three different models, two for Austria (in cooperation with the ZAMG and MeteoSwiss respectively) and one for Europe (in cooperation with the Finnish Meteorological Institute). The three models are calculated differently each, therefore the results may differ. Besides, all three maps are not using the same colour coding and scale to indicate different pollen concentrations. No model is perfect! Therefore, always consult the written forecast and the pollen load information.

Why do the forecast maps not match the written forecast?
The forecast maps are based on different models and calculations. Models are prone to produce unreliable results especially in years with an early/a late start of pollination or with a low/high intensity in pollen release. Therefore, always consult the written forecast and the pollen load information. The assessments of the Austrian Pollen Information Service are based on current and historic pollen data, the current phenology, temperature models and the expertise and experience of our aerobiologists.

What does the Allergy Risk graph/diagram show? How do I read the Allergy Risk graph/diagram?
The Allergy Risk displays the average risk of the occurrence of pollen concentrations at one glance on a given day (number in the centre) and during the day at given times (course around the circle). Day planning is an important issue for pollen allergy sufferers. The Allergy Risk shows the development of pollen concentrations during the day as well as the assessment of the whole day on average at one glance. The Allergy Risk provides you with an forecast for the given day and an assessment of low or a high pollen concentrations to be expected at specific times of the day.

What does the Symptom Load Map show? How do I read the Symptom Load Map?
The Symptom Load Map displays symptom loads extracted from the Patient's Hayfever Diary in real-time for Austria. Please keep in mind, that this map shows only anonymized symptom load data concerning symptom intensity (not pollen concentrations). Hence, it is impossible to extract personal data of users or to filter the data for a distinct allergen. The service, therefore, allows comparing the intensity of symptoms in the respective hometown, region or state within Austria. We follow the General Data Protection Regulation and ask our users to provide only the minimum of personal data. Therefore, no further information (e.g. allergies of the user) is available to us.

Why are there written forecasts for each Austrian state? Why do they differ?
The Austrian pollen monitoring service is the voluntary association of the regional pollen monitoring services of the nine federal states of Austria and the autonomous Italian province South Tyrol. The local and regional conditions and pollen monitoring for the Austrian states are of utmost importance to provide reliable information and pollen data for the pollen monitoring system. The pollen forecasts delivered by the regional pollen monitoring services include these significant local and regional differences. It is their years of experience and knowledge of the geographic and regional differences and oddities, which provides you with the best possible/most accurate picture of the current pollen situation. If you have questions concerning one of the regional written forecasts, please contact the responsible pollen monitoring team.

Where can I find information concerning the intensity of the current year/pollen season?
This information is available in the Current Chart section. The charts show daily pollen data as a mean value of a specific region. There will be a delay before pollen data are displayed. This is since pollen data are usually collected weekly and analysis by light microscope is very time-consuming. The charts are periodically updated to ensure the most up-to-date information is displayed. If you want to compare your allergic complaints with the concentrations of pollen in the air you can use the Patient´s Hayfever Diary (https://pollendiary.com or in the “Pollen” app) to document your symptoms and their intensity.

Why is at the moment/currently no pollen data in the Patient´s Hayfever Diary or the “Pollen” app available?
Since pollen data are usually collected weekly and analysis by light microscope is very time-consuming, there will be a delay before pollen data can be displayed. Only if symptom data has been entered into the Patient´s Hayfever Diary or “Pollen” app for consecutive days the pollen data will be displayed for these days. Unfortunately, this practice became necessary due to data misuse.

If there are problems with the “Pollen” app, what can I do?
First, please check if you are using the latest version of the “Pollen” app and if your mobile device has free memory capacity available. If you have encountered a bug/ a technical error/problem of the “Pollen” app, please contact us via kontakt(a)pollentagebuch.at. To process your query please provide the following information:
- Operating System (Android or iOS)
- Type of mobile phone (e.g. iPhone 7, Samsung Galaxy S7…)
- Operating System Version (this information is available in your settings)
- An exact description of the encountered technical problem/error (which section of the app is concerned? What are you setting specifications? In which functions of the app do the problems occur? If possible, please provide a screenshot.).
If you have questions concerning the forecasts, please contact the responsible person/team listed in the imprint for your country.

Why am I not receiving the personalized forecast on my mobile phone?
Please make sure that you have already entered symptom data at least for three consecutive days into the Patient’s Hayfever Diary of the “Pollen” app. Check if you are connected with the pollen diary via your login information within the “Pollen” App. The personalized forecast is based on your symptom data and as a minimum, a three-day data set is needed to be calculated.

Allergen avoidance

How can I improve my current allergen avoidance?
There is a broad spectrum of options and actions to improve your allergen avoidance. The usage of the available and up to date/current pollen information is of utmost importance. Only a well-informed pollen allergy sufferer can take appropriate measures on suitable measures to prevent or reduce allergen exposure. During the pollen season, you should be more attentive concerning the cleanness of your home (do not leave clothes you wore outside in the bedroom, no dust catchers, using a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter, wiping the floors and surfaces with a moist cloth, air purifier) and adapt your daily routines (the planning of recreational activities, sports activities better indoors than outdoors). When planning a vacation please consider the allergenic burden of your destination and the time period of your travel. We have summarized a number of useful hints here.

How do I plan a pollen allergy-friendly vacation?
We recommend avoiding the peak allergenic burden periods in your living area and choose a vacation location either where the allergen is not present, it has already ceased to flower or not yet started flowering. The pollen load maps of Europe for the different allergens are a useful tool supporting you to find an allergy-friendly destination. In general, a lower pollen load is to be expected at vacation destinations by the sea or in the mountains. Of course, exceptions to this rule may occur. Please keep in mind, for instance that grasses have a delayed flowering season in the mountains (at higher altitudes) or that some plants show flowering seasons restricted to the alpine regions (e.g. green alder).

Questions of medical concern

Our team does not include a certified medical specialist. Therefore, we are not allowed to give medical advice or recommendations for drugs or therapies. We hereby want to emphasize the importance of a reliable medical diagnosis, medication plan and therapy in consultation with a professional allergist. We have collected/gathered the most frequently asked medical questions and posed them to two of our collaborating allergists, Prof. Dr Erika Jensen-Jarolim and Prof. Dr Karl-Christian Bergmann, to answer them (their name is given in brackets for the respective answer). For further medical questions concerning your allergy please contact your attending doctor or allergist.

I suspect I might be allergic to pollen. What can I do?
Typical symptoms of a pollen allergy/hayfever are itching eyes or/and nose, sneezing, and a running nose. Our questionnaire (https://www.pollenwarndienst.at/AT/en/allergy/patient-questionnaire.html) provides a first assessment of your personal pollen allergy risk. As a second step, you can use the Patient’s Hayfever Diary (https://pollendiary.com, “Pollen” app) to check if there is a match between days of high pollen concentrations and your symptoms. In any case, for a reliable medical diagnosis it is necessary to consult a professional allergist or your attending doctor. An appropriate treatment and therapy can be prescribed to successfully ease your symptoms only if an allergy is properly/unequivocally diagnosed.

Does an allergy make me more vulnerable to influenza or common cold?
Pollen allergy sufferers have a normal immune response to these diseases. Their immune system is not weakened and their defense against bacteria and viruses is operating well. The immune system of pollen allergy sufferers overreacts to the allergens in pollen. Their bodies produce specific allergen antibodies that can be detected/verified by skin prick tests or blood tests. Summarizing, the immune system response of pollen allergy sufferers is not a sign of a weakened immune system (answered by Prof. Dr. Bergmann).

Does the application/use of cortisone as a pollen allergy relief (cortisone spray, cortisone crème/ointment) make me more vulnerable to virus infections?
If cortisone is locally applied, in the form of ointments for cutaneous allergies (atopic dermatitis/eczema) or a spray for bronchial asthma, only marginal amounts of cortisone are resorbed by the underlying tissue. The majority of the drug/active substance/cortisone remains in the applied area and helps to maintain the intactness of skin and mucous membranes. Keeping skin and mucosa intact is the best way to avert viral infections (answered by Prof. Dr. Jensen-Jarolim).

Does the local application of cortisone weaken the immune system in the same way as a cortisone therapy based on/using tablets?
No. The treatment of allergic symptoms by administrating cortisone tablets is mainly utilized for food allergies or the treatment of an anaphylactic shock. Chronic drug/cortisone consumption or the, now abandoned, “pre-pollen season cortisone injection” therapy. Cortisone therapy as a treatment for pollen allergy is, due to its severe side effects (e.g. osteoporosis, diabetes, etc.), no longer an excepted medical practice. A prolonged cortisone therapy suppresses the allergic reactions, but also the immune system response rendering the patient more susceptible to viral infections. This is the reason why antihistamines are the preferred treatment for respiratory allergies. Local application of cortisone, in the form of ointments for cutaneous allergies (atopic dermatitis/eczema) or a spray for bronchial asthma, are appropriate treatments to ease the symptoms of pollen allergy sufferers. Intact skin and mucosa are the best barrier to avert viral infections (answered by Prof. Dr. Jensen-Jarolim).

Is the risk for asthmatic patients higher to contract viral diseases (e.g. SARS, COVID-19)?
No significant increased risk for asthmatic patients has, so far, been found (answered by Prof. Dr. Bergmann).
It is of great importantance to asthmatics to have their asthma attacks under control as much as possible. Meaning, having the routines and the accompanying medication to reduce the acute bronchospasms causing asthma attacks. A tendency to bronchospasms is far from beneficial to the course of any disease of the respiratory system. Additional constricting stress is not welcome while already laid low by a viral infection of the lung (answered by Prof. Dr. Jensen-Jarolim).

I am pregnant. Is it safe to continue taking my allergy medicine?
The usage of the lowest dosage of the antihistamines Chlorphenamin, Cetirizin, or Loratadin is recommended. The consumption of these active substances during the first trimester do not correlate with fetal malformations. Hydroxyzin is contraindicated during the early phases of pregnancy. There is, to this date, no data concerning Dupilumab and other biologics. The external application of corticosteroids in low to moderate dosage is safe during pregnancy in situations when allergen avoidance is not possible. The application of high and very high dosages of corticosteroids during pregnancy has been correlated to significant lower weights at birth. Allergen-specific immunotherapy should not be initiated during a pregnancy. If no complications have arisen it is considered safe to continue of a pre-pregnancy initiated (running) allergen-specific immunotherapy. Further information considering this topic can be read in the free online chapter "The Do's and Dont's in Pregnant Allergics" (answered by Prof. Dr. Jensen-Jarolim).