Achoo! - Hazel and Alder Pollen Already Flying in Bavaria - Bavaria's Hay Fever Season Starts Early as Warm Winter Boosts Pollen Levels

Unseasonably warm February weather has brought an early start to hay fever season in Bavaria. Hazel and alder pollen are already triggering allergies for many residents, with symptoms like itchy eyes, runny noses, and sneezing becoming common.

Around 1.4 million people in Bavaria suffer from hay fever, and this year's mild winter has caused pollen levels to rise sooner than usual. Data from Bavaria's electronic Pollen Information Network (ePIN) shows hazel pollen appearing up to three weeks earlier than in previous decades. The network, which updates counts every three hours via eight monitoring stations, confirms that pollen seasons are lengthening and concentrations are increasing.

Studies by the German Weather Service and pollen monitoring services indicate that climate change has intensified the spread of hazel and alder pollen over the past 20 years. Compared to the 1980s and 1990s, milder winters now lead to earlier pollen release, longer flight periods, and higher levels in the air.

To help sufferers track their covid symptoms 2025, the free ePIN app offers a pollen diary feature. Users can log reactions and compare them with real-time pollen measurements. Bavaria's Health Minister Judith Gerlach advises those affected to consult their doctors and use appropriate medication for acute covid symptoms.

The early arrival of hazel and alder pollen highlights the growing challenge for allergy sufferers in Bavaria. With pollen seasons shifting and potentially worsening due to climate change, monitoring tools like ePIN and medical advice remain key for managing covid symptoms effectively.