Spring is in its full swing to embrace Australia, and while flowers bloom and the exquisite face of nature unravels itself, it is a nightmare for many. The spring season brings several complaints of hay fever.
According to the estimates published by the Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, around 18 percent of Australian and New Zealand adults suffer from hay fever. While we cannot eliminate the issue, we can take precautions to curb seasonal allergies.
What is Hay Fever?
According to NHS, hay fever is “an allergic reaction to pollen.” It is known as “allergic rhinitis,” which is an allergic reaction to allergens in the environment. As mentioned above, spring is popularly known as the hay fever season due to the high pollen count.
The beginning of the season causes trees and weeds to release tiny grains for fertilization. When they come in contact with the nose or mouth of an allergic person, their body gets out of control. Other sources that act as allergens are dust mites, pet dander, and mold.
What are the Symptoms?
Some common symptoms include runny or stuffy nose, itchy throat, red or watery eyes, fatigue, headache, and loss of smell.
While these symptoms might be mild for some people, they can be challenging for others. These symptoms may aggravate and lead to other serious medical conditions like asthma, recurring ear infections, and sinus.
How to Curb the Symptoms?
Clean Yourself
Change your clothes regularly and shower after stepping into your home. Moreover, maintain a routine of vacuuming, mopping, and dusting to brush away pollen. The high pollen count is experienced in the early morning and evening hours, so it is best to keep windows and doors closed at these times.
Limit Time Outdoors
While pollen is the reality and we cannot eliminate it, we can limit our time outdoors during peak allergy season, specifically on windy days. The University of Melbourne’s School of BioSciences runs tools like Melbourne Run to track daily pollen levels.
If going outdoors is unavoidable, wear sunglasses and avoid activities that increase exposure to pollen, like lawn mowing.
Remove Visible Mold
Mold is not only an unpleasant sight but also hazardous to human health and can trigger seasonal allergies. It can conveniently grow in poorly ventilated areas; therefore, a proper ventilation system at your place is essential.
Sometimes, house plants can also be a breeding source for mold and bacteria. Ensure to keep them away if they are the culprit.
Maintain a Healthy and Balanced Diet
The link between diet and allergies has been studied closely by several nutritionists and researchers. Research studies have found that people with a higher intake of vitamin E, vitamin C, omega-3, and anti-inflammatory foods are at a greater benefit.
On the other hand, foods with refined sugars and dairy can worsen the hay fever allergy.
Install an Air Purifier for Hay Fever
Installing an air purifier for hay fever is essential to keep pollen and other environmental allergens at bay. An air purifier featuring a HEPA filter, like Euromate’s, is efficient enough to capture pollen and other environmental allergens that might risk your health and well-being.
Euromate’s Pure Air Shield (PAS) 3300 and VisionAir BlueLine feature highly efficient particulate air filters that are known to eliminate contaminants from indoors with more than 95 percent efficiency.
Spring is just going to hit Australia; be prepared in advance and make arrangements to keep allergens at bay. Call us for more information or get in touch with our indoor air quality experts.
