Allergy friendly vacation

Families with children with allergies or people with allergic asthma in particular need to be guaranteed a carefree vacation, as there is no smoking in the house, no pets are allowed and intolerances are carefully considered when cooking. In MV you will find such allergy-friendly vacation destinations.

A vacation at the Baltic Sea is especially recommended for allergy sufferers. The fresh and low-allergen sea air can alleviate allergy-related symptoms, strengthen the immune system in a natural way and thus ensure relaxation. People with strong immune systems suffer less from inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nose and other airways. This is why exercise in fresh, clean air and a refreshing swim in the Baltic Sea has been a proven health tip for allergies since the 18th century and the founding of seaside resorts at the time.

Thalasso for allergies

Thalasso (ancient Greek: sea) stands for the power of the sea and the healing effects of seawater, algae, mud and salt. Thalasso wellness hotels in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are located directly by the sea and offer treatments with marine products in the form of baths, wraps and massages, among other things. Thalasso products contain many minerals that can be absorbed by the skin. The skin is better supplied with blood, firmer and looks younger. Relaxation, diet and exercise on the beach and in the pine forest complete the wellness program for the skin and respiratory tract. The Warnemünde Hotel Neptun, which opened the first thalassotherapy center in a German hotel in 2001, is one of the many top-class providers in the north-east.

Kneipp cures for allergies

Allergy sufferers know Kneipp cures. The waters of the Baltic Sea and the lake district are not only ideal for swimming, but also for treading water. According to its inventor, the pastor and naturopath Sebastian Kneipp (1821-1897), the body should be stimulated to a positive, healing counter-reaction through targeted water stimuli. Organs should also be specifically stimulated and relaxed via specially assigned areas of skin (dermatomes). Good pre-warming through exercise, warm air (e.g. sauna) or warm water (alternating applications) are important. Recognized Kneipp spas in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania include G hren auf Rügen and Feldberg.

In case of allergy: natural products from MV directly from the producer

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is known for its organic farming and organic farms. In no other federal state has organic farming developed so strongly in recent years. Fresh produce of all kinds can be purchased at regional markets and farms. Allergy sufferers should give preference to vegetables such as broccoli, green cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, chicory, cabbage, garlic, mushrooms and spinach. Red, yellow, orange and deep green vegetables in particular, which contain plenty of beta-carotene (the precursor of vitamin A) in addition to numerous other vital substances, strengthen the immune system in the production of white blood cells (the "body police") and the defense against infections.

Watch out for pollen allergies! Check the pollen map before going on vacation

People with hay fever can hardly avoid the allergens in the air that cause illness. Watery eyes and runny noses are the unpleasant result. It is therefore worth taking a look at the pollen calendar before your vacation in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In fact, pollen activity and the health impact of pollen-laden air can vary considerably from one federal state to another. In general, however, the flowering seasons usually start later in the north than in the south.

An advantage of the coast: there is a fresh breeze almost all year round, which alleviates the symptoms of pollen allergy sufferers. The best time to travel for pollen allergy sufferers is from September to March, when the fewest allergens are flying around. Numerous internet platforms and apps provide information on the individual types of pollen and their temporal activity, for example:

• Pollen map for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Baltic Sea coast presents itself allergy friendly

Allergy sufferers will find rest and relaxation for skin and respiratory tract at the Baltic Sea coast due to the pleasant sea climate. The annoying itching on the skin subsides, the mucous membranes of the nose swell and sneezing becomes less. This is because the fresh sea breeze provides unpolluted air, which is considered to be particularly low in exhaust and pollen. This natural healing power of nature was discovered early and used medically. The Baltic Sea coast has with Heiligendamm the first German seaside resort, with Graal-Müritz the place where the child and youth rehabilitation in Germany was launched, and with the Baltic seaside resort Baabe on Rügen the first German municipality which was certified as "allergy-friendly".

First seaside resort

The first German seaside resort was founded in Heiligendamm near Bad Doberan in 1793. The Duke of Mecklenburg, Friedrich Franz, and his personal physician from Rostock, Samuel Gottlieb Vogel, had discovered the "healing effects of bathing in seawater." The inscription "Heic te laetitia invitat post balnea sanum" is still emblazoned on the gable of the spa house by master builder Carl Theodor Severin: Here you receive joy, you emerge healthy from the bath.

In the 20th century, the seaside resorts on the coast experienced a renaissance. Nowadays, spa guests from all over the world enjoy the natural healing power of the Baltic Sea wind, seawater, algae, mud and salt. The blood circulation is stimulated and the immune system is strengthened. The sea climate with its humid air containing iodine is particularly suitable for patients with respiratory and skin diseases.

First rehab for children

The seaside spa Graal-Müritz has been used as a health resort for children with asthma and allergies for over 130 years. On July 1, 1880, the first four city children from Schwerin's "Anna Hospital" recuperated for several weeks under medical supervision at the Baltic Sea. This was the birth of German child and youth rehabilitation. Today, the AKG "Tannenhof" Children's Hospital is a recognized facility for child and youth rehabilitation and one of the most modern facilities in Germany. About 1000 children with respiratory and skin diseases are treated here every year. By the way, in the indoor swimming pool of "Tannenhof" children swim in healthy Baltic Sea water, which is piped directly into the pool.

First municipality with certificate for allergy sufferers

In view of the rich tradition on the Baltic Sea coast, it is therefore not surprising that a Baltic Sea resort was certified as the first "allergy-friendly municipality" in 2008, the Baltic Sea resort Baabe on the island of Rügen. In the town, guests with house dust and mite allergies will find numerous accommodations that are specially tailored to their needs. People with food intolerances or special allergies will find great understanding and helpful support in special allergy hotels. In addition, there is a supermarket in Baabe that stocks numerous lactose-free, gluten-free and other allergen-free products. An allergy-friendly restaurant and some cafés have additional offers on their menus for guests with food intolerances.

Interesting facts about allergy

25 million Germans suffer from an allergy

According to the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation ECARF, around 25 million people in Germany have an allergy. The most widespread of these is pollen allergy, which manifests itself primarily as hay fever. Allergic rhinitis sets in when trees and grasses are in bloom. Thereby the pollen causes attack-like or constantly running, itching noses and red, watering eyes. A burning sensation may also develop in the palate. Depending on the type and severity of the allergy, skin rashes and breathing difficulties may also occur.

Allergic to animals, food, house dust and pollen.

Petting a cat, nibbling nuts, walking next to a flowering meadow: The most ordinary activities can become a problem for allergy sufferers. Depending on the type of allergy, the body reacts defensively to foreign substances such as pollen or animal hair, so-called allergens. The reactions are unpleasant: watery and itchy eyes, sneezing, shortness of breath due to swollen mucous membranes or gastrointestinal complaints. Itchy wheals and eczema on the skin can also indicate an allergic reaction. If the allergy-causing substances are known, they should be avoided if possible.

Doctors advise hyposensitization

If animal hair, nuts or pollen are identified as allergy triggers, allergy sufferers can best prevent symptoms by avoiding the allergens in question. In the case of hay fever, however, this is almost impossible. In such cases, medication can alleviate the symptoms. There is good success with allergen-specific immunotherapy, also called hyposensitization. The aim of this therapy is to accustom the immune system to the allergy-triggering substances and thus weaken excessive reactions. For this purpose, the physician injects the patient with an allergen preparation in increasing doses at specific intervals. In some cases, the allergen can also be taken in the form of tablets or drops. Complementary regional fitters such as Thalasso therapies are recommended.