As the greeting of spring is in our amiss and the season garnishes flowers with blossom and sun-strengthened grass, spring also trails with pervading pollen, which grasps onto clothes and into the exposed sinuses. Whilst hay fever does not affect all, those that it does, hay fever can drain the pleasantries of spring and pose panic to individuals facing examinations during the summer and spring. So, in preparation for the very exasperating attempts of pollen trying to sabotage your spring, this article has structured the most efficient tips to reduce the itchy eyes, nose and mouth.

  1. Use Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen, wear wrap-around sunglasses and use a hat. By doing this, pollen is less likely to meander into your nose and eyes, irritating them.
  2. Keeping clean clothes, bed sheets and pillows. This is a crucial step in ensuring pollen doesn’t affect you at night, therefore, take regular showers, clean your clothes after being outside in high pollen hours and wash your face every evening.
  3. Rinse your sinuses at the end of the day. Rinsing your nasal passages with saline solution is a quick and easy method to further flush out as much pollen as possible, resulting in a night of undisturbed sleep.
  4. Know your predator. Some people are only allergic to one type of pollen out of the three (grass, tree and weed) and knowing this can provide an escape route, where you can avoid the peak season/time. Grass pollen is most prominent from mid-May to July, specifically during warm-high temperatures, dry ground and a light breeze. Tree pollen, from late March to mid-May, with a temperature range of 13-15°C. And weed pollen, peaking by the end of June-September.
  5. Use a damp cloth to wipe surfaces and vacuum your house regularly with a HEPA filter. Doing so can help remove the pesky particles on your floor which can limit the amount of pollen you breathe in at home.
  6. Make sure to keep track of a pollen calendar. This helps to avoid the apex of where pollen is roaming around the air so you‘re able to go outside when the pollen is lower, reducing symptoms.
  7. Consult your GP about using allergy treatment such as antihistamines like fexofenadine which blocks the histamine, causing the allergic reaction and if your hay fever is severe, there are other routes such as immunotherapy (a specialist service, not easily accessible).
  8. Use an ice pack or place cucumber pieces on your shut eyes. Cucumbers and a cold sensation can reduce swelling, hydrate the eye area, and distract you from rubbing them.

Stay strong during these times of anguish and don’t let the devil's confetti ruin another one of your spring/summers!