A GP has revealed some top tips on how to survive a pollen bomb when you suffer with hayfever – including an item you should buy to help protect your eyes.
Pollen levels are set to be high all this week – leaving millions around the UK with itchy eyes and runny noses. Dr Roger Henderson, 63, a GP of 35 years, said using a wet cloth – not a dry one – to dust will help.
Another top tip was using your tumble dryer rather than line-drying your sheets. The GP, from Whitehaven, Cumbria, said: “What a pollen bomb will do is trigger people with mild hayfever.
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“This means they get symptoms they don’t normally get because of the intense exposure. One of the ways of avoiding hayfever is staying inside when the pollen is high.
“You should stay away from areas like parks or areas that have more pollen. Especially early morning and late afternoon evening – when pollen count is highest.”
Dr Roger, who represents decongestant brand Olbas, said if you’ve been outdoors during a pollen bomb, you should wash your clothes before next wearing them. If you’re struggling to sleep at night, it could be that your sheets need a wash too to get the pollen off too.
But he added a mistake lots of people make is then going to dry your clothes and sheets outside – allowing them to become covered in pollen again. And similarly to your clothes, he said if you’ve been outside you should wash your hair to remove any lingering pollen.
And when in the home, make sure to dust surfaces regularly so pollen can’t settle – and use a wet cloth. He said: “If you’re going to clean your house, dust with a damp cloth rather than a dry cloth, because a damp cloth helps mop up pollen.
“Using a dry cloth, you can get clouds of dust and pollen which makes it worse. Anything that can trap dust can trap pollen – even dried flowers and curtains – so vacuum or wipe with a wet cloth.”
This can also refer to soft furnishings and things like teddy bears – which can secretly harbour pollen and worsen symptoms indoors. In severe cases, he even recommends locking them in a different room.
Dr Roger said: “Things like stuffed animals, you can’t dust them but you can dampen them. You should do it with a wet cloth to help with the trapped pollen.
“If it’s really bad with your stuffed animals, quarantine them in a separate room until you feel better. When it comes to itchy eyes, he reckons everyone should invest in a pair of wraparound sunglasses.
Roger said they keep pollen out much better than regular frames do. He added: “Some people swear blind smoking helps, or that homeopathy helps – but it’s all rubbish.
“If the idea sounds wacky, then it is. You just have to try and keep exposure to pollen as low as possible, and take antihistamines.
“If you feel the count will rise and you know you suffer, start taking antihistamines ahead of it, not just when you start to get symptoms.”
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
