IF YOU’RE a hay fever sufferer, you probably don’t expect to be struck with the sneezing, coughing and itchy, streaming eyes for a few weeks yet.
But meteorologists have warned that unseasonably warm weather this February could see trees shedding their pollen a lot earlier than normal, causing an early pollen explosion.
The University of Worcester’s weekly pollen forecast warned that the tree pollen count is expected to rise this week as temperatures of 12C reach the UK on Thursday.
As miserable as hay fever symptoms are, rising pollen counts are bad news for Brits with asthma who can be especially vulnerable to the stuff, according to Asthma + Lung UK.
Its head of health advice, Erika Radford, told Sun Health: “More than three million people with asthma are affected by pollen and when levels are at their highest it can be deadly for those with a lung condition.
“Hay fever can trigger asthma symptoms and increase the risk of a potentially life-threatening asthma attack.”
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“Asthma attacks can be terrifying, but there are things you can do to look after yourself,” Erika added.
When we think of shielding ourselves from pollen, our mind often goes how protect ourselves when we’re outside and using medicines like antihistamines and nasal sprays.
But we may be unwittingly bringing pollen particles into our homes, causing misery even when we’re not out in the elements.
From how often you should wash your bedding, to changing the way you dust and not forgetting your pet, here are nine ways you can pollen-proof your home.
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1. Keep windows and doors closed
To seal yourself off from the unpleasant hay fever symptoms caused by pollen, Asthma + Lung UK said it’s a good idea to keep windows and doors closed so pollen won’t blow inside as much.
2. Hoover instead of sweeping
But you’ll have to accept that pollen particles will find ways to sneak in.
The best thing you can do is clean your house regularly to make sure pollen isn’t floating around.
Make sure you hoover instead of sweep, as a vacuum will be more effective at sucking up errant pollen particles.
Keeping your home clean “not only ensures pollen doesn’t hang around but also keeps dust levels down”, Asthma + Lung said, explaining that dust can also be a trigger for asthma.
Dr Roger Henderson, GP and expert for Olbas, recommended you wear a mask while you clean.
3. Keep soft furnishings clean
Soft furnishings like chairs and sofas can harbour pollen, so make sure you’re hoovering or wiping these down.
And don’t forget your curtains, the Mayo Clinic added, as they can accumulate pollen too.
Pop them in the wash if you can and give your blinds a wipe down.
4. Be mindful of clutter
The knickknacks cluttering your tables and shelves can also collect dust and pollen too.
The Mayo Clinic advises you “remove items that collect dust, such as knickknacks, tabletop ornaments, books and magazines”.
“Store children’s toys, games and stuffed animals in plastic bins,” it added.
5. Wash bed linen weekly
Your bedding and pillowcases can accumulate pollen throughout the week, so it’s a good idea to pop them in the wash weekly.
Johanna Constantinou, the brand communications director at Tapi, told Country Living: “Wash your bed linen, including sheets, pillowcases and duvet cover, once every one to two weeks and ensure you use an extra rinse cycle as well.”
6. Use a damp cloth to dust
It’s best you hide away your feather duster.
Instead, Asthma + Lung recommended you use a damp cloth to clean up pollen.
7. Brush and bathe your pets
Your furry friends are also probably tracking pollen around your home, as their coats can trap pollen particles.
It can then easily become airborne or settle on surfaces and furniture, potentially triggering reactions.
Bathing and brushing your pets frequently will reduce the amount of allergens in their fur.
8. Don’t hang washing outdoors
Asthma + Lund suggested you avoid hanging washing outdoors as “ollen particles can get attached to clothing when pollen levels are high, which means if you dry clothing outdoors you may be bringing them in with you”.
“You can reduce pollen levels in your home by drying clothes indoors during the pollen season,” it said.
9. Shower when you get home
“Pollen can also build up in your hair or on your skin and clothing, if you have been outside, which means you could accidentally bring it indoors,” Asthma + Lung added.
It recommended you wash your day and the pollen off you as soon as you get home.
You might also find it useful to put your clothes into the washing machine and leave your shoes at the door.
HOW ELSE CAN I PROTECT MYSELF?
If you have asthma, Erika said that “using your preventer inhalers every day as prescribed is very important, as the medicine dampens down swelling and inflammation in your airways”.
“This means you’re less likely to react badly to your asthma triggers, like pollen,” she explained.
“We’d also advise always having your reliever inhaler nearby, even when at home, in case pollen does trigger your asthma symptoms,” Erika added.
“Reliever inhalers quickly relax the muscles in the airways so you can breathe more easily when you get symptoms, like wheezing, coughing, breathlessness and chest tightness.”
You can also reach for antihistamine medicines to relieve your hay fever symptoms, or have a GP prescribe you steroid nasal spray to help reduce your allergic reaction.
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Finally, Erika advised you check pollen and air pollution forecasts in your local area every day before going out.
If they’re high, it’s best to avoid going outdoors as much as possible if you’re at risk of having an asthma attack.
Hay fever symptoms & how to treat it
HAY fever is usually worse between late March and September, especially when it’s warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest.
Typical symptoms include:
- frequent sneezing
- runny or blocked nose
- itchy, red or watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
- an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
- cough, caused by postnasal drip (mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose)
Less commonly, you may also experience:
- the loss of your sense of smell (anosmia)
- facial pain (caused by blocked sinuses)
- headaches
- earache
- tiredness and fatigue
If you have asthma, your asthma symptoms may get worse when you have hay fever.
How to treat it
There’s currently no cure for hay fever and you cannot prevent it.
But you can do things to ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high.
- Put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen
- Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen from getting into your eyes
- Shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off
- Stay indoors whenever possible
- Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
- Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
- Buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
- Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities
Source: NHS
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Eliza Loukou
