6 Tips and Tricks for Hay Fever Relief
Sam Wylie-Harris
6/25/2021 6:47:35 PM
Sam Wylie-Harris wrote this article in The Independent:
Incessant sneezing, runny, red hot nose, dry itchy eyes and a banging head from wheezing all the time, it’s exhausting!
So far it’s really proving to be far from a summer of fun for hay fever sufferers.
While we love verdant trees, green grasses (grass pollen being the most common cause of hay fever coming into July) and flower beds to delight our bees and boost our picnic plans, the pollen plants release cause any number of allergic reactions.
And this year seems to be particularly bad thanks to a cool, wet May and dips and highs in June temperatures. According to Allergy UK, hay fever affects between 10% and 30% of all adults, with lower pollen counts in urban areas compared to the countryside.
According to Allergy Ireland, about 25% of all Europeans suffer some type of nose/sinus/chest allergy and this is set to rise to 50% within the next decade.
1. Keep Windows Closed
Sunshine and blue skies? It is only natural that you want to open the windows. Unfortunately, this can let all those nasties in, so try to avoid opening them during the peak pollen hours of the late morning and late afternoon; And close them at night when pollen counts are also high.
2. Vaseline Can Help in Many Ways
When you have dry lips, eyelids or cracked skin, Vaseline can also help soothe and protect your nose. Try smelling it inside each nostril to ease any pain and allow the pollen to enter the nasal passages.
3. Take a Cold Bath
If your eyes are runny and you can’t stop sneezing, take refuge in the coolness of cold running water. Not only will this help ease the symptoms, but you should also wash your hair and change your clothes if you are sitting or working out for long periods of time. If taking a shower isn’t practical, put a cool facecloth on your face and lie down for a few minutes.
4. Used Tea Bags Can Help Reduce Eye Swelling
To get the most out of your morning cuppa, keep used tea bags in the fridge and use them as a cold compress to relieve any inflammation and soothe sore, itchy eyes. Cucumber chunks can also work.
5. Put Your Face Mask On
Face masks have become so much the norm, you can even use them to filter out pollen grains. Especially with summer social events, if you’re going on a picnic, the wind is blowing or you have to mow the lawn… eek!
6. Wear Wraparound Sunglasses
Fashionable, sporty, and with a fair chance for a little increased protection against pollen in your eyes, a good pair of wraparound sunglasses is your best summer investment-an A-list accessory with benefits.
Incessant sneezing, runny, red hot nose, dry itchy eyes and a banging head from wheezing all the time, it’s exhausting!
So far it’s really proving to be far from a summer of fun for hay fever sufferers.
While we love verdant trees, green grasses (grass pollen being the most common cause of hay fever coming into July) and flower beds to delight our bees and boost our picnic plans, the pollen plants release cause any number of allergic reactions.
And this year seems to be particularly bad thanks to a cool, wet May and dips and highs in June temperatures. According to Allergy UK, hay fever affects between 10% and 30% of all adults, with lower pollen counts in urban areas compared to the countryside.
According to Allergy Ireland, about 25% of all Europeans suffer some type of nose/sinus/chest allergy and this is set to rise to 50% within the next decade.
1. Keep Windows Closed
Sunshine and blue skies? It is only natural that you want to open the windows. Unfortunately, this can let all those nasties in, so try to avoid opening them during the peak pollen hours of the late morning and late afternoon; And close them at night when pollen counts are also high.
2. Vaseline Can Help in Many Ways
When you have dry lips, eyelids or cracked skin, Vaseline can also help soothe and protect your nose. Try smelling it inside each nostril to ease any pain and allow the pollen to enter the nasal passages.
3. Take a Cold Bath
If your eyes are runny and you can’t stop sneezing, take refuge in the coolness of cold running water. Not only will this help ease the symptoms, but you should also wash your hair and change your clothes if you are sitting or working out for long periods of time. If taking a shower isn’t practical, put a cool facecloth on your face and lie down for a few minutes.
4. Used Tea Bags Can Help Reduce Eye Swelling
To get the most out of your morning cuppa, keep used tea bags in the fridge and use them as a cold compress to relieve any inflammation and soothe sore, itchy eyes. Cucumber chunks can also work.
5. Put Your Face Mask On
Face masks have become so much the norm, you can even use them to filter out pollen grains. Especially with summer social events, if you’re going on a picnic, the wind is blowing or you have to mow the lawn… eek!
6. Wear Wraparound Sunglasses
Fashionable, sporty, and with a fair chance for a little increased protection against pollen in your eyes, a good pair of wraparound sunglasses is your best summer investment-an A-list accessory with benefits.