In the last week the Met Office has been keeping a close eye on the pollen count as we head into the summer months.
And it seems as if the count is on the rise for much of the UK with Edinburgh currently standing at the 'moderate' level.
Whilst this may not mean much to some people, for those with hay fever it means avoiding the outdoors as much as possible.
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This however can't be avoided and in order to help those struggling, AEG have partnered with Paediatric Allergist, Professor Adam Fox, who warns that hay fever sufferers should avoid drying their clothes outdoors - even if it is sunny.
Professor Adam Fox explained: “Pollen is very light and easily picked up by the warm air, therefore it rises early in the morning, and falls back down during dusk. Because of this, we should avoid having our washing out on the line during these times of day.”
Professor Fox reveals has also listed other tips to help people alleviate their hay fever symptoms - including using Vaseline.
But what are his other tips?
1. Be mindful of open windows when drying clothes indoors
An alternative to outdoor drying is to dry clothing indoors on drying racks, where the warmer air will certainly make short work of drying your clothes. But be mindful of open windows, as they will still allow pollen to blow in and settle on your clothes almost as much as if they were hung outside.
If you are a hay fever sufferer, it’s best to make sure those windows are closed if you are drying your clothes indoors to minimise the transfer of pollen onto clean laundry.
2. Drying clean laundry outside worsens symptoms
Hanging clothes outdoors in the summer is the more sustainable choice than using tumble dryers for all our washing loads. But during these months there are a few extra things to think about; one of the most crucial being the time of day.
Pollen is very light and easily picked up by the warm air, therefore it rises early in the morning and falls back down during dusk. Because of this, we should avoid having our washing out on the line during these times of day. Try hanging clothing out in the middle of the day if possible and get them in by dusk. This is not only the warmest part of the day when our clothes will dry the fastest, but also the time of the day when there is less pollen lower to the ground.
Where you hang your clothing to dry can also make a difference. The main contributors for pollen are grass and trees, so hanging washing away from sources of pollen can help lessen the effects but be mindful that pollen may still travel in the wind. Once the washing is in, give your washing line a good wipe over before hanging new clothes too, as this will wash away any particles on your line that may transfer to clean clothing.
3. Take clothes off ahead of entering the bedroom
You might also want to consider taking clothes off ahead of entering the bedroom and washing hair ahead of climbing into bed. This means that any pollen particles that may be clinging to us aren’t brought into the bed ready to agitate us later. Where possible, avoid leaving windows open throughout the day too as you could be inviting pesky pollen particles in that will later settle on bedding overnight.
4. Shower and wash hair more often than normal
We like to move around a lot, especially now we have that little bit more freedom to do so. But with this we should be mindful that we may be collecting pollen particles wherever we go on our clothes, but also in our hair and skin.
Therefore, you’ll need to wash all clothes more often in the summer months when the pollen count is at its highest, but also get yourself in the shower a little more often than you might do normally. This will not only help you cool down, but also wash away those pesky pollen particles.
5. Wash pillowcases more often
Our bedding can be another key place where pollen particles can collect, particularly as we spend a lot of time face-to-pillowcase. In the summer months, it’s advisable to wash our bedding more than normal so that when we jump under the covers at the end of the day, we’re not facing even more allergens.
Professor Adam Fox quick list of things to consider that could help minimise your seasonal allergies
• Avoid being outside in the early morning and evening, as the pollen counts are highest then (unless it is raining)
• Sleep with bedroom windows closed if you can
• Wear sunglasses, preferably the wrap around type, and use goggles when swimming in the sea or in the pool
• Pollen will be brought into the house on washing dried outside, so be mindful of hanging clothing out too early in the morning or bringing it in too late at night. You might also want to consider using a tumble drier for bedding in the pollen season
• Limit trips to rural areas. Sea breezes blow pollen inland, so escape to the seaside instead
• Take off clothes before entering the bedroom to prevent outside allergens entering the area you sleep in
• Shower before going to bed as pollen sticks to hair and skin as well as the clothing we wear
• Apply Vaseline around the edge of each nostril as this can act as a barrier to trap pollen
• Use of a nasal douche, such as Sterimar, may help to wash away pollens and irritants - this can be used just prior to nasal sprays to maximise their effect
• When it’s especially bad, don’t be afraid to consult your pharmacist or even your GP to get help
