Top ten tips to reduce hay fever symptoms this spring

Here in Perth we are in the midst of enjoying some stunning spring weather – blue skies and warm sunshine have finally made a welcome return after one of the coldest winters in recent memory. But, if you are anything like me or the 1-in-5 Australians that suffer from hay fever, you’ve probably also spent the past few days sneezing all over the place every time you walk out the front door.

Luckily, there are some ways you can reduce hay fever symptoms so that you can get out & about to enjoy the gorgeous weather. Here’s our top 10 tips for keeping itchy eyes, runny noses and headaches at bay:

• Choose plants for your garden that are pollenated by birds or insects, rather than those that release their pollen into the air. Allergy-friendly alternatives include many native Australian plants and highly flowered plants. Speak to your local garden specialist for advice.
• Wear sunglasses while outside to reduce the chance of pollen irritating them, and flush your eyes with cold water often to remove any pesky allergens.
• Reduce or cut out dairy foods. They are considered to be mucus producers and may increase the amount of mucus produced during hay fever bouts.
• Essential oils can help lessen symptoms. Make up a blend of lemon, lavender and peppermint oils mixed with a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil, in roller bottle and apply to the back of the neck, behind the ears and on the chest as needed. Make sure to use certified pure therapeutic grade oils for this purpose. You can also diffuse these oils inside the home.
• Avoid mowing the lawn and stay indoors if someone is mowing your lawn or your neighbour’s lawn. If your hay fever is that bad, consider replacing lawn at your home with paving or rocks.
• Keep your car windows closed while driving, and use recirculated air when pollen counts are high.
• Smear Vaseline inside your nose when you are outdoors. This will help trap pollen and stops it reaching the inner lining of your nose.
• Make sure to shower after playing sport or being outdoors for long periods to time. This will help reduce the pollens you bring indoors.
• Be sure to eat a healthy whole food diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. This will help boost vitamins and minerals that may be helpful in hay fever symptom relief.
• Dry sheets and clothes indoor on high pollen count days to reduce the amount of pollen that will cling to them during the drying process.