The end of winter brings with it warmer and longer days. While this is something that many of us eagerly welcome, for others it can usher in a season of frustrating, debilitating symptoms.
According to the NHS, around 20 percent of people in the UK are hay fever sufferers. Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is a condition caused by an allergic reaction to pollen.
It is therefore most prevalent in the spring and summer, especially if it is warm, humid and windy, making the pollen count high. Symptoms can range from mildly uncomfortable to debilitating and include sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, headache and fatigue.
There is currently no cure for hay fever although there are treatments available to help ease symptoms. But it is better to prevent symptoms occurring in the first place.
One expert revealed six simple steps we can all take to avoid hay fever altogether.
Wellness expert Samantha Greener from Simply Supplements said: “Many of us suffer from seasonal allergies as the weather starts to warm up and have to put up with constant sneezing, watery eyes and itchy throats.
“This year, we want to help sufferers to stay on top of their allergies by getting ahead of some of the most common symptoms.
“There are some easy things you can do to prevent exposure to pollen, therefore lessening your symptoms.”
Her six top tips were:
- Trapping pollen
- Keeping windows shut
- Planning your day
- Changing your clothes
- Washing your pets
- Using an air purifier.
Trapping pollen
According to Samantha, applying vaseline around your nose can trap the pollen to stop sneezing from hay fever.
Another way to block out pollen is to use filters on the air vents of your car and wear wraparound sunglasses to prevent itchy and sore eyes.
Keeping windows shut
As soon as your hay fever symptoms start, keep the windows and doors around your house closed for as long as possible throughout the day, she advised.
This will stop the pollen from getting inside your home and affecting you.
Planning your day
Samantha said: “Seasonal allergies from pollen tend to worsen at dawn and dusk.”
Plan your dog walks, runs and outdoor activities to avoid going out at peak pollen times.
Check the pollen count in your local area before heading out.
Change your clothes
She recommended getting into the routine of changing into a new set of clothes once you’re inside as soon as you start to notice hay fever symptoms.
Pollen can stick to your clothing so changing will halt your exposure and stop it from spreading around your house.
Washing your pets
Samantha said: “It’s important to stop bringing in pollen inside your home – so once your pets have been outside over hay fever season, give them a wash down to help prevent allergies.
“Give your dogs a regular brush over and bath to help ease any symptoms you have.”
Using an air purifier
If symptoms from seasonal allergies like hay fever are particularly bad, investing in an air purifier may be the solution.
She added: “A HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter will filter out dust and pollen from around your home to provide relief from symptoms.”
The NHS lists common symptoms of hay fever as:
- Sneezing and coughing
- A runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, red or watery eyes
- Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
- Loss of smell
- Pain around your temples and forehead
- Headache
- Earache
- Feeling tired.
