By Christina Hausberg
(Translation: Heather Williams)

Berlin, 9 May 2007 - Around 100 dermatologists and allergists gathered in Berlin's Botanical Gardens for a seminar on "Allergens and the Environment."  Prof. Dr. med Karl-Christian Bergmann of the Allergie-Centrum-Charité gave the main presentation. Prof. Bergmann is a pulmonologist and allergist at the Allergie-Centrum-Charité, which works closely with the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation – ECARF. Prof. Bergmann is also chairman of the board of the German Pollen Information Foundation. 

The participants met in the new greenhouse in the Berlin Botanical Gardens in Dahlem. Prof. Bergmann presented his interested audience with current data and research results on the topic of allergens and environment, including the effects of ragweed pollen and fine dust particles in the air. 

Participants were able to examine samples of birch, alder and ragweed pollen under microscopes. The pollen samples came from the pollen trap at the Allergie-Centrum-Charité, where researchers measure the daily pollen count which is the basis of the pollen count forecast for all of Germany. 

You can find pictures of this event in our picture library.

By Rasmus Maurer (translated by: Heather Williams)

Allergies are a major societal problem

On 9-10 March 2007 the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF) hosted an allergy conference in conjunction with the Allergie-Centrum-Charité and the Ärtzeverband Deutscher Allergologen (Association of German Allergologists). 120 physicians converged from all over Germany to discuss the conference theme, “Allergies in a changing society: Trifle, or societal challenge?” The conference was hosted by ECARF head Professor Torsten Zuberbier, with opening remarks from Dr. Detlev Ganten, head of the Charité

Clemens Neumann of the German Ministry for Nutrition, Agriculture, and Consumer Protection emphasised that the Ministry recognises allergies are a serious problem, and is preparing a plan for the protection of consumers with allergies.  The plan will contain concrete steps to help the many Germans suffering from allergies.  Consumer protection will be strengthened through better quality control, better labelling of allergens in food, and even the introduction of “pet-free spaces” in public facilities.  In order to offer Germans the best possible range of allergy medication, business and medicine must cooperate.  Mr. Neumann also said the Ministry is planning an internet portal that will be an information clearinghouse for allergy patients.

After Mr. Neumann’s talk came presentations from Professors Torsten Zuberbier, Eckard Hamelmann, Bodo Niggemann and Karl-Christian Bergmann.  Professor Zuberbier spoke on the avoidable economic damages caused by allergies.  The total cost to the EU of untreated or poorly treated allergies – for instance as a result of missed working time – is currently around €100 billion.

Professor Hamelmann spoke on current and future treatment methods for allergies.  Professor NIggemann warned against “unconventional” medically unproven allergy therapies and diagnoses.  He debunked the myth that so-called “natural” preparations, such as plant-based medication, have no side effects because they are “natural”. 

Professor Bergmann introduced the ECARF Quality Seal.  The Seal is awarded for allergy-friendly products and services.  It stands for the active support of consumer needs and offers proof of safety for consumers with allergies.

After the coffee break, conference participants began a spirited discussion on and finalisation of a manifesto on the „Improvement of protection and therapy for allergy patients in Germany“.  The manifesto calls for a substantially more intensive effort on the part of doctors and politicians to master the allergy problem.  Allergies should not be treated as a mere trifle,  but as a “relevant personal risk factor in the lives of many Germans”.  The Allergy Conference calls for the government to recognise that “Allergies represent a considerable problem for our society.”  Adequate financial resources must be supplied for allergy research and treatment. 

The second conference day was dedicated to the issue of allergy diagnosis.

Dr. Jörg Kleine-Tebbe demonstrated the multiple ways to prove allergen sensitivity, including prick tests, scratch tests, rubbing tests, and epicutaneous tests.  He also covered the blood tests RAST and IgE.  Physicians in private practice questioned the practicality of many of these diagnostic tools. 

Professor Karl-Christian Bergmann spoke on provocation tests, using himself as a guinea pig for conjunctive, nasal and bronchial tests.

The food scientists Stephanie Hompes and Sabrine Dölle spoke on oral tests with food products.  The audience was able to taste some of the foods prepared for the tests.

Dr. Markus Magerl led a workshop on urticaria diagnostics.  He recommended the website http://www.urtikaria.net/ as a resource for patients.

Three presentations covered state-of-the-art allergy therapies: Dr. Susanne Lau’s on allergic conjunctivitis, rhinitis and asthma; Prof. Margitta Worm’s on atopic dermatitis; and Prof. Marcus Maurer’s on urtikaria. 

After these presentations the conference came to an end. The results were encouraging: the engagement of the Ministry for Nutrition, Agriculture and Consumer Protection with the allergy problem, and the conference’s declaration on allergies, represent hope for the future.

ECARF provided information about Allergies & Sport at the Berlin Vital trade fair, 30 March to 1 April 2006.

Parallel to the European Allergy Congress 2006 in the Palais am Funkturm, the "Berlin Vital" sport and health exhibition opened its doors on the fairgrounds for all interested parties.

As a cooperative partner, ECARF worked together with Ga²len, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network and the Allergy Centre Charité to provide information about "Allergy & Sport" to trade fair visitors.

A theme park informed  visitors about asthma & sport in particular. Specialists helped visitors test their lung function. Our specialists also held talks on the events stage related to all topics involved with allergy & sport.

Between Thursday, March 30 and Saturday April 1 our staff answered your questions and hopes to have convinced you that there is "quality of life in spite of allergies."

More information and the program can be found here.