Hayfever triggers and how to avoid them
Spring can spell a beautiful new beginning
as the flowers bloom and seasons warm. However, for many of us September means
two things, magpies and hayfever. Magpies aside the extra pollen in the air
spells inevitable suffering and below is our complete guide to hayfever to help
you enjoy the beauty without the impending beast.
What is hayfever?
Hayfever
is an allergic reaction to environmental allergens. Also known as allergic
rhinitis which means “an allergy that affects the nose,” hayfever is the noses reactive
swelling to airborne particles which the body wrongly identifies as a threat.
As a result hayfever is most commonly experienced during the Spring as airborne
pollens from grasses and flowers are at their peak.
Hayfever
triggers include but are not limited to:
- Pet
Hair.
- Wood
Dust.
- Cigarette
smoke.
- Airborne
grass pollen
Avoiding hayfever this Spring
The
following are some of our best tips to avoiding hayfever this Spring.
1. Avoid
being outside on humid and windy days. Close doors and windows to your house
during these times.
2. Wear a
face mask when mowing your lawn during high risk months (Late August- October)
3. Wash
your face and shower after playing outside. Pollen will stick to the body.
4. Wear
glasses and a hat to avoid carrying pollen in highly effected areas
5. Opt for
air conditioning before windows to cool down in your car. Ensure air
conditioning is on recirculate
6. Clean
your house regularly.
7. Give
yourself a nasal barrier such as Vaseline or a similar balm.
8. Keep the air in your house clean with a HEPA filter fitted
into your air conditioning unit
9. Install hygrometer to keep the humidity in your house
below 55%
10. Keep
away from cigarette smoke
11. Wash
your pets when they come indoors and avoid letting them in your bedroom or on
your furniture.
12. Consult
with your GP if you suffer badly from symptoms.
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