Spring and summer bring warm weather—and for many, the unwelcome arrival of hay fever symptoms such as runny noses, itchy eyes, and frequent sneezing. While these symptoms can disrupt daily life, there are straightforward steps you can take to manage and minimize discomfort.
Start by monitoring daily pollen forecasts. Dr. Rupa Parmar, Medical Director at Midland Health, explains that pollen levels peak in the early morning and evening. “Avoid outdoor exercise or gardening during these times if possible,” she advises. Additionally, applying petroleum jelly around your nostrils can trap pollen particles before they enter your nose, providing significant relief.
When driving in hay fever season, keep car windows closed and use the air conditioner on recirculation mode to avoid drawing in pollen from outside. Saline nasal irrigation is another effective approach recommended by Dr. Kultar Garcha, GP and Global Medical Director at Flow Neuroscience. It is a safe, low-cost method that helps ease nasal symptoms and reduce inflammation.
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Minimizing allergen exposure further involves wearing wrap-around sunglasses to protect your eyes and scheduling outdoor activities during lower pollen count periods, generally midday to early afternoon. Dr. Garcha also stresses the importance of showering and washing your hair before bedtime to remove pollen and improve sleep quality. Keeping bedroom windows closed and using air purifiers can maintain a cleaner, pollen-free environment indoors.
NHS GP Dr. Deepali Misra-Sharp adds that airing clothes inside rather than outdoors on high pollen days, regularly cleaning surfaces that collect pollen, and showering immediately after outdoor exposure help reduce symptoms significantly.
If symptoms persist despite these measures, consult your GP. Over-the-counter non-drowsy antihistamines such as loratadine, cetirizine, or fexofenadine may be recommended for daytime relief without causing sleepiness.
Kyla Black, Director of Optical Practice at Boots Opticians, highlights a little-known tip for eye irritation: “Washing your hair frequently can reduce itchy, watery eyes since pollen can cling to hair and irritate the sensitive eye area.” Given that the eyes are highly sensitive sensory organs, protecting them during pollen season is essential.
By incorporating these manageable habits, hay fever sufferers can find considerable relief and enjoy the outdoors with less disruption.