As the UK begins to dip its toes into the warm weather this summer, there is one part of the arrival of the heat that many people dread.
While clear skies and sunny weather can be enjoyable, the high pollen count can be a pain for those who suffer with hay fever.
Hay fever is a common allergy among people, with symptoms including a tight chest, sneezing, coughing, a blocked nose and various aches in the face and jaw.
The allergy is caused by the release of pollen into the air, and there has been a high pollen count across the UK for days on end this month.
So while there is medication out there to reduce the symptoms of the allergy, there are plenty of ways people can reduce their suffering of hay fever.
Experts at Bed Kingdom have shared seven simple ways to reduce allergens throughout the home. These tips will help keep allergens outside and save you from waking up with red eyes, a blocked nose, and a scratchy throat.
Here's how to keep your home hay fever free.
Wear an eye mask at night
The NHS advises wearing wraparound sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes during the day.
Wearing a sleeping or cooling mask at night can help achieve the same effect and prevents pollen from transferring from your bedding into your eyes as you sleep.
Shower and change after being outside
Pollen collects on us throughout the day, sticking to our clothes, hair, and skin.
If you’ve been outside, shower and change your clothes and shoes to wash off and eliminate particles, helping to prevent spreading onto bed sheets and throughout the home.
Avoid walking on grass where possible to avoid direct contact with pollen.
Keep windows and doors closed in the morning
Try to keep windows and doors shut when pollen is being released and the count is highest, usually from the morning until around midday.
Pollen levels tend to drop after this point. Consider using a dehumidifier if windows must stay open.
Hoover the home often and dust with a damp cloth
Allergens are embedded into our carpets from culprits such as the air, shoes, and pets. Vacuuming regularly will help prevent a build-up.
Take care and vacuum slowly, being too aggressive can stir dust around the room.
Vacuum areas that can be hotbeds for allergens: headboards, mattresses, carpets, and hard floors. Wipe clean flat surfaces, fans, decor, and light fixtures.
Remember to empty your vacuum outside, releasing dust outside and not back into your home.
Feather dusters can kick up dust and make allergies worse. Use a damp cloth instead to help trap allergens, removing more pollen from the home.
Wash your bedsheets regularly
Consider investing in hypoallergenic bedding. Cotton, rayon, or synthetic fibers are hypoallergenic.
Pillows made from bird feathers, such as goose or duck, can hold allergens that cause hay fever-like symptoms; consider switching to a down-alternative, which is naturally hypoallergenic, as the material is less likely to trap allergens.
Beds trap pollen, dust, and dirt, so wash bedding at least every other week on a hot cycle to discourage a buildup and keep sheets feeling fresh, encouraging a better night’s sleep.
Also, avoid hanging washing outside, as it will bring pollen into the home - use a dryer if possible.
Wash your pets too
Pets, including birds, will carry pollen into the home.
If your pet goes outside, brushing them down before letting them back in is a good idea. Use baby pipes on paws and faces.
If daily grooming isn’t easy, keep animals out of the bedroom to prevent spreading pollen onto your sheets.
Swap garden plants for hypoallergenic ones
Nature is in full bloom, but some houseplants may worsen your symptoms.
Check if your home contains any of the following plants, which are some of the worst for hay fever:
Chamomile
Daisies
Chrysanthemums
Sunflowers
Cypress
Jasmine
Juniper
Wisteria
Instead, consider low-pollen alternatives such as roses, daffodils, crocuses, lilies, or pansies.
A spokesperson from Bed Kingdom said: "Allergies are unavoidable while outside, but there’s much we can do to keep pollen out of the home.
"These tips will contribute to a better night’s sleep when the pollen count is high, helping you wake up refreshed rather than groggy and stuffy.
"And most of these suggestions will cost you less than a pack of allergy tablets!"
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