Hay fever

Hay fever in Hamburg, the doctor's house call during pollen season

According to the Robert Koch Institute, hay fever affects around 15 percent of adults in Germany, and in Hamburg the burden starts with the first mild days of February and March. Between early May and mid-June, birch, ash and grass pollen overlap into a cumulative load that is often clearly noticeable thanks to the proximity of parks, the Alster and the Elbe. Anyone living in Eppendorf, Winterhude or by the Outer Alster knows the flare-up after every walk outdoors.

A doctor's house call carries clear value precisely when over-the-counter antihistamines are no longer enough, when respiratory symptoms appear as well, or when symptoms persist for weeks despite treatment. An untreated pollen allergy can develop into allergic asthma over the years, this so-called allergic march affects a substantial share of untreated patients. We assess the upper and lower airway situation calmly at home, with no waiting time in an out-of-hours clinic.

What our doctor does for hay fever

The visit begins with a structured history covering allergy background, previous treatment and current symptoms. A physical examination follows: inspection of the nasal mucosa and eyes, auscultation of the lungs, measurement of respiratory rate and oxygen saturation, so that early allergic asthma is not missed. On this basis the physician prescribes modern non-sedating antihistamines, a cortisone nasal spray, eye drops with mast-cell stabilisers or, where needed, an inhaled therapy. For long-term treatment such as specific immunotherapy (desensitisation) we refer you to an allergology practice.

Hay fever or a cold, the key differences

A pollen allergy is closely tied to pollen exposure and worsens outdoors, whereas a viral infection runs its course regardless of the weather. Hay fever typically brings a watery runny nose, bouts of sneezing and itchy, watering eyes, while the marked malaise with fever is absent. If the symptoms last longer than one to two weeks and return every year at the same season, that points clearly to an allergy. This distinction matters because antihistamines barely help with a viral infection, and targeted allergy treatment only makes sense after a medical assessment.

How the house call works

You call our Hamburg number 040 524 729 688 or send a brief callback request via WhatsApp. We clarify the essentials within minutes: symptoms, address, comorbidities, insurance. We then dispatch the next available physician to you, whether to St. Pauli, Ottensen, Blankenese or HafenCity. We are usually on site within 60 to 90 minutes.

During the visit we take time for history, examination and treatment planning. With a confirmed pollen allergy we issue prescriptions as needed for a non-sedating antihistamine, a cortisone nasal spray or eye drops, and point you to an open pharmacy in your neighbourhood. A careful briefing on when to call us again or to dial 112 if you experience shortness of breath is always part of the visit.

Billing and insurance

Our service is aimed at privately insured patients and self-payers. We bill according to the German private medical fee schedule (GOÄ) via our Privatärztliche Verrechnungsstelle (private medical billing service); a house call typically ranges from 150 to 300 euros depending on the scope of services. German private health insurance and civil-servant Beihilfe schemes usually reimburse these positions in full.

For international guests we issue the invoice in English on request. Most travel health insurers accept the GOÄ-compliant invoice, in individual cases our back office supports you with additional medical explanations. We remain reachable by phone for billing questions after the visit.