HEALTH + WELLNESS
How to give
HAY FEVER the heave-ho
THOSE OF US THAT DON ’ T SUFFER FROM HAY FEVER COULD BE FORGIVEN FOR WONDERING WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE SO BAD ABOUT WATERY EYES AND THE ODD BOUT OF SNEEZING , BUT IN REALITY , HAY FEVER SUFFERERS HAVE A TOUGH TIME . ESPECIALLY IN JULY , WHEN GRASS POLLEN LEVELS PEAK AND SYMPTOMS ARE AT THEIR WORST . FORTUNATELY , THOUGH , THERE ARE WAYS AND MEANS OF REDUCING THE TELL-TALE SIGNS OF HAY FEVER - SNEEZING , ITCHY EYES , AND DRY , RASPY THROATS – SOME OF WHICH YOU MAY BE PRIVY TOO AND SOME OF WHICH YOU WON ’ T . WE ’ VE ROUNDED UP A FEW TOP TIPS FOR YOUR HOME AND YOUR DIET , GATHERED SOME EXPERT ADVICE ON TREATMENT AND MEDICATION THAT SHOULD HELP KEEP THAT PESKY POLLEN AT BAY ( VERY HANDY FOR RUNNERS ), AND UNPICKED A FEW MYTHS COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS TOO – SOME OF WHICH MAY COME AS A SURPRISE …
For your home
Hay fever is an allergy caused by dust and airborne pollen particles that have blown away from plants , trees and grass , so it makes sense to allergy-proof your home with a few simple steps .
Deal with any damp before July gets going . Dust mites love humidity ; left undisturbed , the tiny bugs can produce up to 2,000 particles of waste during their 10-week life cycle , causing havoc to sufferers , so address any problems as soon as temperatures start to swell .
Keep your windows and doors closed at peak pollen times . As a rule of thumb , peak pollen time hits between 8am-10am and 5pm-7pm , so batten down the hatches to shut out irritants . If it ’ s a really hot day , air purifiers are great for circulating cool , clean air .
Bed , bedding and carpet maintenance . Sheets , duvets and deep pile carpet are a hotbed of pollen-catching activity ; encase your pillows and mattresses in dust-proof covers , and wash sheets , pillowcases and blankets at least once a week in the hottest water possible . It ’ s a good idea to wave goodbye to feathers until the cooler weather sets in too .
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