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Hay fever is one of the most common allergies in the UK. Nearly half the population spends their springs and summers with itchy eyes and runny noses.
If you’re one of the unlucky ones, what can you do to help avoid the fever and minimise your symptoms? Let’s dive in and look at some practical steps you can take to get you through the pollen-filled months.
What Causes Hay Fever?
Hay fever is caused by pollen, a fine powder released by plants and flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. While pollen is great for plants and a delicious source of protein for bees, it’s not so good if you suffer from hay fever.
If you suffer from hay fever, your body mistakes the pollen for a harmful substance. This means your immune system reacts to the pollen, causing irritation and a runny nose.
What are the Symptoms of Hay Hever?
The symptoms of hay fever include:
- A runny nose
- Itchy, red eyes
- Sneezing and coughing
- Itchy throat, mouth and ears
- Headache
- Fatigue (feeling tired)
- Loss of smell
What Can You Do to Help Your Hay Fever Symptoms?
Let’s go through some practical steps you can take to help keep your hay fever symptoms under control.
Close the windows
The best thing you can do to help your symptoms is to avoid pollen altogether. If you’re inside, the best way to do this is to shut the windows and doors so that airborne pollen outside can’t get in.
If you’re in a car, you can also use the air conditioning instead of opening the window and ensure that it is set to recirculate the air from inside the vehicle so you don’t pull in more pollen from the outside. If your car has a pollen filter, you should change it regularly to keep it in good working condition.
Check the Pollen Count
If you’re going outside, it pays to know how much pollen is in the air in your area so you can plan trips or prepare for the worst. You can find the pollen count here on the Met Office website. The best thing you can do for your hay fever if the pollen count is high is to try to stay indoors and plan outdoor activities for times when the pollen count is lower. However, as you shall see, there are things you can do to be proactive in combating your hay fever.
Steer Clear of Pollen
While it’s impossible to avoid pollen altogether, there are a few things you can try to avoid to keep your hay fever under control.
- Going on grass or cutting grass
- Having fresh flowers in the house
- Smoke from cigarettes or open fires
Wash Away the Pollen
Taking a shower and washing your clothes after you have been outside can help rinse away any pollen you picked up while outside. Avoid drying clothing outside, too, as airborne pollen may catch in clothing while it’s drying on the line.
Get a HEPA Filter
Some vacuum cleaners come with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter, which can help capture and remove any pollen that collects in your house.
It can also help clean surfaces using a damp cloth to collect any pollen that settles on them. A significant amount of household dust can come from pollen, so try to keep your house dust-free, too.
Protect Yourself
Wearing wrap-around glasses or a wide-brimmed hat can help prevent pollen from getting into your eyes. You can also put Vaseline (petroleum jelly) on your nostrils to trap pollen and provide a barrier for your skin.
You can also wear a mask or get nasal air filters that fit in your nostrils to help filter out the pollen you breathe in. Taking precautions like this is especially useful when the pollen count is especially high.
Consider Medication
Finally, you can take medicines to control the symptoms of hay fever. Visit your pharmacist and see if antihistamines (often sold as hay fever tablets) or a nasal spray might help you control your symptoms. These medicines can also be taken proactively to keep symptoms in check on high pollen days.
Speak to Your Doctor
If you still suffer from hay fever symptoms, remember you can always speak to your GP for extra help. Alternatively, you can speak to your GP, or get a private GP appointment anytime.
