For some, spring is the most wonderful time of the year; for others, nature awakening marks the beginning of their very own personal nightmare. Runny nose, itchy eyes, scratchy throat. On top of that, 2026 is expected to be a particularly bad year for allergies. 
Here, we reveal how you can still get through allergy season in good shape. 

Strengthen your immune system

"I recommend that all my customers affected by allergies start with a good multivitamin supplement. A strong and balanced immune system is essential for alleviating allergy symptoms. A healthy immune system is less prone to overreacting. You should also make sure you get enough vitamin D. We can also check your levels at the pharmacy," explains Mag. Julia Horn from Zweihorn Pharmacy in Bruck an der Mur. 
That lays the foundation.

"There are also two products I’m convinced of: ALLERG AKUT by Metanorm and our Zweihorn TEM Allerg drops. We always have both available during allergy season," explains the pharmacist. "There are now good antihistamine products for acute problems that no longer cause drowsiness, as well as eye drops and nasal sprays that soothe and help with symptoms."

Tips for allergy sufferers

Shower as soon as you get home and change your clothes right away. Don’t forget to wash your hair. 
Clothes covered in pollen should go straight into the laundry basket, which is best kept well away from your bedroom. Avoid drying your laundry outdoors, as pollen collects on the clothes.
Change your bed linen once a week. Vacuum as often as possible—ideally with a vacuum cleaner with an integrated pollen filter. 
Get an air purifier.

Eat a low-histamine diet

Foods high in histamine can worsen allergy symptoms. During allergy season, avoid preserved foods, smoked fish or sausage, aged cheese, ready meals, chocolate, soy products, nuts, strawberries, pineapple, tomatoes, etc. 

Low-histamine foods

You can eat these foods without worry during allergy season:

• fresh meat
• fresh fish
• fresh eggs
• baked goods made with baking soda (baking powder)
• cabbage varieties such as broccoli, kale, red cabbage and cauliflower
• gourds such as cucumber, pumpkin and zucchini
• nightshades such as potatoes and bell peppers
• root vegetables such as carrots, beetroot, celeriac, radishes and sweet potatoes
• onions
• fruits such as melon, mango and apple
• berries such as blueberries, blackcurrants, blackberries, gooseberries and cranberries
• cream cheese, cottage cheese, quark
• unaged cheeses such as mozzarella, young Gouda and young butter cheese
• pasteurized milk and UHT milk
• butter (sweet cream), crème fraîche, cream

Relief with home remedies

Inhale with saline or essential oils, and use nasal rinses. Eyemasks made with eyebright can help with itchy, burning eyes.
A course of apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory and soothing effects.
Sage, lemon balm or yarrow tea can ease allergy symptoms.

We wish you a lovely spring with as few allergy symptoms as possible.