Hay fever treatment: what does the health insurer cover?
About one-fifth of the Swiss population is allergic to pollen. Comparis explains what you can do about the annoying symptoms – and which remedies for hay fever are covered by the health insurer.
09.03.2026
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1. What triggers a pollen allergy?
Hay fever is the result of a overreaction of the body to certain proteins in pollen from grasses and trees. After the first contact, the immune system forms antibodies against these proteins.
On renewed contact histamines are released. Histamines are inflammatory hormones that act as messengers and trigger hay fever symptoms.
Hay fever usually manifests itself with the following symptoms:
Frequent sneezing
Blocked or runny nose. The nasal secretion is usually liquid and clear.
Red, irritated and watery eyes
Itching in the area of the palate, nose and ears
Breathing difficulties, especially during physical exertion
Tightness in the chest
The symptoms of hay fever usually set in suddenly – in contrast to a cold that develops slowly.
In the short term, a pollen allergy is usually no danger to your health. Nevertheless, you should talk to a doctor about it. This is because, in the long term, there is an increased risk of asthma.
Good to know: Hay fever can also trigger so-called cross-allergies with food. You are actually allergic to the pollen of a tree or grass. However, if the proteins in a food are similar to those in pollen, you will also have an allergic reaction to the food.
In which months is a pollen allergy worst?
The severity of a pollen allergy depends on which pollen you are allergic to. There are different types of pollen that bloom at different times. The graphic shows the seven most common types of pollen in Switzerland and their flowering times.
Click on the type of pollen to get additional information such as severely affected regions and cross-allergies.
Hay fever and pollen allergy are often used as synonyms. However, from a medical point of view, there is a difference: pollen allergy is the actual hypersensitivity reaction of the body. The resulting symptoms are then referred to as «hay fever».
2. Remedies for hay fever: What helps?
There are various remedies for hay fever. Some of them only alleviate the symptoms. Other remedies inhibit histamine so that it can no longer trigger the inflammatory reaction. Medicines for hay fever include:
Eye drops
Nasal spray
Tablets
Oral drops
Corticoid sprays. Corticoid is a steroid hormone. It is often administered in the form of cortisone to treat allergies.
Antihistamines
You can also have desensitisation have a desensitisation carried out. This slowly accustoms your immune system to the allergen so that it no longer overreacts. Desensitisation usually takes several years. There is also a short-term therapy that you have to repeat every year.
3. Does the health insurer pay for hay fever treatment?
The basic insurance generally covers medical treatments for hay fever, provided that they are prescribed by a doctor. This only applies, however, after you have used up your deductible .
If the basic insurance does not pay for the treatment, the costs may be covered by a supplemental insurance policy. However, the coverage varies depending on the insurance company. It’s best to compare different offers.
Before resorting to prescription medicine, you can try over-the-counter medications. These can usually provide relief for mild and moderate pollen allergies. There is a wide range of over-the-counter remedies for allergies.
Some cortisone-containing nasal sprays and antihistamines are only available on prescription.If symptoms are severe and long-lasting, it’s worth visiting a doctor. If necessary, you should have such prescription-only medicines prescribed.
Important: Your health insurer will only pay for hay fever medication that is prescribed by a doctor. They must also be on the specialities list or on the «list of medicines with tariff».
Especially in the case of severe symptoms a so-called desensitisation or hyposensitisation can be worthwhile. The difference from other treatments: instead of the symptoms combating this form of therapy directly the causes of the pollen allergy.
How hyposensitisation works: Your doctor will give you small doses of the type of pollen you are allergic to at regular intervals. This is usually done using injections or tablets.
The therapy takes place under medical supervision and usually lasts several years. You will receive the injections regularly at your doctor’s practice. You can take the tablets yourself at home from the second dose onwards.
The cost of desensitisation in Switzerland for treatment with tablets is at least 800 to 1’000 francs per year. Due to regular visits to the doctor, the costs of desensitisation with injections can be higher. It is best to contact your allergist for more information.
If your doctor prescribes therapy for diagnosed pollen allergy, it is usually covered by basic insurance. If you do desensitisation for prevention, the health insurer usually does not pay.
You can also alleviate your hay fever symptoms with alternative medicine to a certain extent. Basic insurance covers the following five treatment approaches:
Acupuncture
Anthroposophic medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine
Homeopathy
Phytotherapy (herbal medicine)
Conditions for cost coverage by basic insurance
There are some conditions for cost coverage by the basic insurance conditions:
The treatment must be prescribed by a doctor .
The treatment must be carried out by doctors trained in conventional medicine with a corresponding additional qualification .
It may not be a preventive measure .
The rules are different for Supplementary insurance. Health insurers can determine which criteria therapists must meet. You are advised to contact your insurance provider for more information.
Basic health insurance covers benefits that serve the diagnosis or treatment of an illness and its consequences. This means that it also pays for an allergy test – but for a maximum of 20 allergens. If you have more allergens tested, you must pay the additional costs yourself.
The test must also be prescribed and carried out by a doctor. be. Basic insurance does not cover allergy tests in a pharmacy.
Good to know: Depending on the supplementary insurance, it is possible that it will cover allergy tests that are not covered by the basic insurance.
4. How can I protect myself from pollen in day-to-day situations?
In spring, you can hardly avoid contact with pollen. You can however, reduce the burden. These measures will help you:
Check the pollen count: You can see the current pollen count on the Internet and in apps. This allows you to plan your everyday life around times of high exposure.
Ventilate at the right time: Only ventilate in the morning and evening. You can also ventilate during and immediately after rain. In good weather, keep windows and doors closed during the day.
Cleaning: Clean your apartment regularly with a damp cloth. You can also use a vacuum cleaner with a suitable filter.
Hygiene: Wash your hair in the evening. This will prevent pollen from ending up on your pillow.
Clothes: Do not let clothes dry outside. Pollen likes to stick to damp clothing. Take off your clothes outside the bedroom and do not store them in the bedroom.
Protect yourself from pollen outdoors: Glasses or sunglasses can protect your eyes from pollen. A mask can also help reduce contact with pollen.
Home remedies: Some home remedies, such as nasal rinses and steam baths, can reduce discomfort.
In the car: Turn off the ventilation if it does not have a pollen filter installed. Also, keep the windows closed.
Air purifier: Put an air purifier in your home.
Exercise: Exercise indoors instead of outdoors.
Pollen protection: Attach pollen protection nets to your windows.
Diet: Avoid foods that cause a cross-reaction in you.
It is best to buy an air purifier that, according to the manufacturer, is suitable at least for the size of your room A device that is suitable for a larger room is better. The air purifier should also be equipped with a HEPA filter filter.
When buying, pay attention to the Ecarf seal. This is a seal of the European Foundation for Allergy Research. It distinguishes devices that are allergy-friendly are.
Important: Replace the air purifier’s filter regularly. Otherwise, the filter performance will deteriorate.
This article was first published on 15.08.2022
