9 Tips for Hay Fever Prevention in Spring

Beat the pollen and prevent hay fever symptoms this spring.

To my boyfriend: Forget the flowers. Just bring me the chocolate. 

Why? Sneezing. Is. A. Pain. 

I’ve had days when I can’t even see for the tears in my eyes from sneezing every ten seconds. 

 As any of the 1 in 5 Australians with hayfever can tell you, not only is sneezing repeatedly embarrassing, it’s also exhausting and painful.   

You learn pretty quickly not to have fragrant flowers in your house or around the porch, or at least not if you want to breathe with any freedom. Itchy and teary eyes, runny nose and inflamed airways triggering asthma symptoms are all some of the joys that come with hayfever. 

In spring the sun comes back out and we have beautiful sunny days again, tempting us to spend our time outdoors. At the same time plants and trees come into flower, producing pretty gardens…and evil TRAPS for those with these allergies. Increased pollen in the air, in combination with temperature changes and occasional thunderstorms, all make spring a hazardous time. 

It doesn’t have to be a trial though.  As well as treating the symptoms of hay fever and asthma with medication, there are some simple management steps you can take to prevent stirring up a hay fever reaction. 

1. Try to avoid the outdoors on days with a high pollen count (particularly 7–9 am and 4–6 pm), on windy days or after thunderstorms.
2. After being outside, take a shower (or wash your face and hands thoroughly) and wash your clothes. Pollens stick to your body and washing immediately after reduces the amount of pollen transferred into your home.
3. Dry your sheets and clothes indoors. Outdoor clotheslines can leave your laundry coated with pollen.
4. Don’t mow the grass yourself, and stay inside when it is being mown.
5. Remove any plants you are sensitive to from your garden. Problem plants are usually imported species pollinated by the wind, so talk to your local nursery or gardening services provider about allergy-friendly alternatives such as Australian natives and highly flowered plants.
6. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes when outside.
7. Keep windows closed both at home and particularly when in your car (and where possible use recirculating air conditioning in your car).
8. Do not picnic in parks or in the country during the pollen season.
9. Try to plan your holidays out of the pollen season or holiday at the seaside.

See more at: www.allergy.org.au and www.nationalasthma.org.au

And my suggestion? Always have a good store of tissues up your sleeve!

Good luck!

-Em from the Look Local WA team