Seven simple hay fever hacks that will help take the sneeze out of summertime
Ah, summertime – family barbeques on the lawn, footie in the park, walking the dog, the sound of bees buzzing… and your other half constantly sneezing!
Unfortunately the pollen in our lawns and parks is one of the main reasons for our hay fever. Grass pollen affects a staggering 95% of people living with hay fever.
However, there are several things you can do to avoid this. According to airborne allergens expert and creator of HayMax allergen barrier balm, Max Wiseberg, hay fever symptoms are caused by an over-reaction to an innocuous substance (pollen) entering the body.
Everyone can tolerate a certain amount of pollen before they suffer an allergic reaction. So if you keep enough pollen out, your hay fever symptoms won’t be triggered.
So, with that in mind, here are Max’s seven simple hay fever hacks that will help take the sneeze out of summertime.
1) Keep doors and windows shut
Keep doors and windows shut, to help prevent pollen blowing into the house, especially the bedroom. This shouldn’t be too much of a problem in spring, unless there is an unseasonal hot spell.
2) Vacuum often
Vacuum the house regularly (especially beds and fabrics) to remove pollen particles. Damp dust surfaces so that pollen is removed but not dispersed into the air. If you own a pet then ensure that it is well groomed and shampooed as much as possible to remove pet allergens and pollen particles.
3) Use a barrier balm
Use an organic drug-free allergen barrier balm around your nostrils and the bones of your eyes in the morning and throughout the day. These have been proven to trap over a third of pollen particles before they enter the body, where they can cause symptoms. Less pollen, less reaction!
4) Take an antihistamine and nasal spray
Consider taking an antihistamine and a nasal spray. These work best if you start a couple of weeks before your season starts. But most of us don’t know when that is, so you can start taking when your symptoms start, but they might take a little while to work properly. Follow the instructions and consult your pharmacist.
5) Wear wrap around sunglasses
When going outdoors, wear wrap-around sunglasses to prevent pollen particles coming in contact with your eyes. And tie your hair up and wear a hat or cap to prevent pollen particles being caught in your hair.
6) Wash your face when you get home
Wash your face (or your child’s face) as soon as you get home. This will wash away allergens so that they can’t cause a reaction, and a cool compress will soothe sore eyes. Shower at night before sleeping to remove pollen particles and pet hair from your hair and body.
7) Wash your bedding regularly
Wash your bedding very regularly to remove allergens. And dry clothes indoors rather than on a clothes line; this will prevent pollen particles being blown onto the clothes by the outside wind.
HayMax organic drug-free allergen barrier balms retail at £6.99 per pot and are available from Holland & Barrett, selected Morrisons and Boots, independent chemists, pharmacists and health stores, online at Ocado and direct on 01525 406600.
Photo by Florian van Duyn
