Blooming trees in spring and dry grasses at the end of summer are lovely to look at, but for lots of people they also mean sneezing, a blocked nose and watery, itchy eyes. This happens when the immune system overreacts to tiny particles in the air, such as pollen. You cannot switch off the season, but a handful of daily habits may make it far easier to cope.
Keep Pollen Out of Your Home
Home should be the place where you get relief. A few tweaks to your routine stop pollen from coming inside and building up on floors, furniture and fabrics.
- Shut the windows when pollen counts are high, above all in the early hours.
- After being outside, put on fresh clothes and rinse your face.
- Put sheets and pillowcases through a warm wash every week.
- Vacuum often, and wipe surfaces with a slightly wet cloth so dust does not fly up.
- Think about running an air cleaner with a HEPA filter in the room where you sleep.
Gentle Ways to Feel More Comfortable
Some soothing steps can take the edge off a stuffy nose. Warm steam, from a hot shower or a bowl of hot water, may help things feel looser. Many people also use a salt water (saline) spray or nasal rinse to wash out irritants. Always read the pack instructions, and only use sterile water or water that has been boiled and allowed to cool for a rinse.
Drinking enough fluids, raising your head a little with an extra pillow at night and staying away from tobacco smoke can all help you feel better day and night.
Check the Pollen Forecast
Lots of weather apps and local news reports give a daily pollen count. A quick look lets you plan walks, sport or chores for calmer times, which are often after a rain shower or later in the day. When counts are high, a hat and sunglasses can help stop pollen landing in your eyes and hair.
Gardeners and people who exercise outdoors may find that wearing a light face mask cuts down the pollen they breathe in.
When to Get Advice
A seasonal stuffy nose is very common, but it should not rule your days. Speak with a pharmacist, doctor or ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist if your symptoms go on for weeks, keep you awake, or come with a fever, pain in your face or thick coloured mucus. These may point to a problem other than allergy. A professional can find the cause and talk you through options, such as allergy testing.
At WhatsOnTech we hope these tips help you enjoy each season. Explore more guides in our ear, nose and throat section, or read the NHS page on hay fever.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice.
