Runny noses in late spring and summer can indicate an allergy. It's not always obvious at the beginning that it's about rye. You can now find out how rye allergens can affect you and what you can do about it at Greenforce !
What happens if you have a rye pollen allergy?
Pollen from grasses and grains can be found everywhere in Germany in summer. If you come into contact with it - for example in your eyes or nose - it triggers an allergic reaction .
Exactly how this manifests itself varies from person to person. You can find out more about this in the section on allergy symptoms .
Rye pollen spreads mainly during the rye flowering period . In Germany, this is typically the long period between the beginning of April and the beginning of September. Rye enjoys a boom between May and June, and people with rye allergies are particularly affected.
If you are allergic, you will probably be significantly less productive during this time. So you have a real “ summer slump ” - but you should learn to accept it.
Unfortunately , there is no real cure for rye allergy . So the best you can do is learn to deal with it. This can also affect diet, which we will discuss in more detail later.
Can you avoid a rye allergy?
People who are allergic to rye face the problem that rye is generally one of the most commonly grown grains in Germany . In summer, the pollen from the grain is distributed practically over the entire country. The wind blows the allergens through the air; you can hardly “ hide ” from them.
A simple avoidance is therefore almost impossible. This makes it harder to avoid the symptoms.
Rye allergy symptoms
Unfortunately, the symptoms of this allergy are, on average, even more severe than those of comparable allergies .
Among other things, you might face these signs:
- Your eyes burn, itch or water, your handkerchief is in constant use.
- Your nose is constantly running and itching too; you would like to blow your nose all day long.
- Coughs and dry coughs of varying severity can occur.
- Even your ears may itch and burn a little.
Since your body is constantly in use, regeneration is difficult. Those affected often report general exhaustion and insomnia.
This affects your performance at work and in your free time . In an already stressful everyday life, it can be particularly dangerous for your body.
What can you do about a rye allergy?
Overall, your freedom of action is quite limited.
Tips include:
- Wash your body and hair daily. Otherwise you will transport the pollen on your body from A to B and take it with you all day.
- You can install pollen screens on windows. This can help if you have problems, especially at night, or are generally at home a lot.
- Daily wiping and vacuuming can also be advisable when rye allergens are at their peak. Automatic vacuum robots can then make work a lot easier.
If all of this only helps to a limited extent, you should consider medical aid. Then various methods come into consideration : nasal spray, eye drops, cortisone and more. Although these medications cannot cure the allergy, they can significantly improve the quality of life in everyday life.
Allergies to rye and diet
A rye allergy does not necessarily mean that you are also allergic to rye flour. However, it may very well be that you still notice allergy symptoms with certain products.
This could be the case, among other things, if rye is not completely baked (e.g. in bread or rolls). Usually only weak traces of rye pollen are contained, which is noticeable by a tingling sensation in the mouth.
This is not necessarily dangerous, but it can cause an unpleasant feeling when eating. A certain fear of more severe symptoms can often be found in the back of the mind.
Many allergy sufferers therefore avoid rye products if they are not completely sure. However, there is no reason to avoid rye flour at first. Only if you have symptoms should you reconsider consuming rye products .
What vegan alternatives to rye are there?
In general, rye is already vegan, so there can be no real alternatives for plant-based foods like these.
However, you can simply try other types of grain if you can't tolerate rye:
- Wheat is, of course, the obvious alternative to rye. It can be wonderfully processed into bread and rolls. It is also often found in cakes.
- Spelled can also be a good alternative. Spelled bread, for example, is not digested by the body as quickly as wheat products. This can have a positive effect on blood sugar levels.
Various “ pseudo grains ” are also conceivable.
These are foods that are not actually grains, but have many of the positive properties:
- Amaranth is available in flour form and you could bake many delicacies with it. The flour is slightly nutty, slightly sweet and has a lot of protein.
- Quinoa is also used for many vegan alternatives . This plant-based food actually comes from Peru. You could eat it as porridge or use it in casseroles and soups - or use it as flour.
In certain cases, these alternatives are even important for your health - for example if you have an intolerance to carbohydrates.
What do I eat if I have carbohydrate intolerance?
People who suffer from this intolerance experience various negative symptoms in the stomach and intestines when consuming carbohydrates. However, these are present in high quantities in products such as wheat and rye.
Quinoa, amaranth and similar pseudo-grains are a little better in this regard because they contain fewer carbohydrates overall. If you suffer from carbohydrate intolerance, you should definitely try out grain alternatives.
Fewer carbohydrates can also help if you want to lose weight vegan . The world of vegan food is filled with low-fat and low-carb options.
Many vegetables and soy-based foods in particular usually contain very few or no carbohydrates. If you want to lose weight vegan, you just need the right ideas and recipes. You can find many of them right here at Greenforce .
Conclusion: rye allergy
A rye pollen allergy is no fun, especially in summer, and is much more than just “ a bit of a cold ”. If you just can't cope anymore, going to the doctor can often be the last resort.
If your symptoms also extend to foods made from rye , vegan substitute products may help you. These can easily replace rye grain if you want to look beyond the typical grains such as wheat.
They often have other positive side effects, such as a particularly high protein content. With these tips you won't get rid of your rye allergy , but you'll certainly get it under control better!