With spring just around the corner, many allergy sufferers will be braced for a season of discomfort and suffering, as pollen count increases.
Around 35% of the population will be affected by one form of allergy at some stage in their lives, and this figure is even higher in children, with 50% suffering from an allergy.
Hay fever is one of the most common allergies, affecting around 25% of the population, with most allergic to grass pollen. This means that spring and summer can be difficult for those with this allergy during pollen season.
Other common allergies come from dust mites, mould spores and pet dander, which can trigger different reactions, from respiratory reactions like asthma to eczema skin reactions. The intensity of the response varies from person to person.
Chris Michael, director of Meaco, the air purifier specialist, gives his top tips on relieving the symptoms caused from a variety of allergies to make your spring much happier…
1. Check the pollen count every day so you can plan your life around this.
2. When the count is high, do not dry laundry outside as pollen can stick to your clothes.
3. If you have outdoor activities in mind, then do them after a rain shower. This is when pollen count will be at its lowest.
4. As soon as you get home, change your clothes so you do nottransfer pollen from outside all over the house.
5. Rather than wait for spring to carry out your spring clean, do it just before so you don’t have to deal with hay fever and dust at the same time.
6. Clean mould in the bathroom regularly to avoid the spread of mould spores.
7. Good ventilation is key in removing allergens so make sure the bathroom and kitchen are well aired to help remove excess moisture.
8. When levels of damp are lower, there are less mould spores and dust mites. You can buy a dehumidifier to reduce moisture levels in your home.
9. It’s important to get a good night’s sleep and have a bedroom as free from allergens as possible. Air purifiers can provide relief from these allergens.
