The allergy season starts in spring; many people react allergically to certain pollens that are released by trees, grasses or plants during their flowering period. We reveal what helps against itchy eyes and a runny nose.
More and more people are suffering Allergies and hay fever, this is due, among other things, to the changing climatic conditions. Many people don’t know how to take effective and prophylactic action against these overreactions in the body. In addition to treatment with antihistamines and lengthy desensitization in very severe cases, there are also some preventative measures that allergy sufferers can take. Acute counteracting can be done with remedies such as nasal spray. Here we present five measures to alleviate the symptoms of a pollen allergy.
Prevent hay fever – without medication
Before prophylaxis and treatment against hay fever is initiated, those affected should have a diagnosis made by their family doctor. The treatment can then be coordinated with the doctor and varies depending on the type and severity of the symptoms. What always helps is to look at the pollen count calendar. Weather apps now also often indicate how high the pollen count is.
1. Keep windows closed to prevent allergy
If you have a severe allergic reaction to pollen, you should keep your windows closed during the pollen season if possible; a short burst of ventilation every now and then is sufficient. After a cleansing rain shower, the window can be opened for ventilation. In rooms such as the bedroom, a pollen protection grille can also be helpful, such as the Tesa pollen protection grille:
- Keeps most of the pollen from penetrating
- Can be cut to size
- Self-adhesive Velcro included
Click here for the Tesa pollen protection grid on Amazon
2. Vacuum regularly – important if you have a pollen allergy
Allergy-friendly vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters help prevent household pollen from being thrown back into the air when vacuuming, but rather effectively eliminate it. It is best to wipe with a damp cloth after vacuuming to remove every last bit of pollen. The Dyson Gen5detect Absolute is a cordless cordless vacuum cleaner equipped with a fully sealed HEPA filtration system that removes even the smallest particles:
- A piezoelectric sensor measures microscopic dust particles
- LCD display with dust analysis
- HEPA filtration system removes 99.99 percent of particles up to 0.1 microns in size
Click here for the Dyson vacuum cleaner on Ebay
The Philips vacuum cleaner with an allergy filter is a little cheaper:
- ECARF-certified allergy filter: Captures 99.9 percent of all particles
- Removes pollen, animal hair and dust mites
Click here for the Philips canister vacuum cleaner on Ebay
3. Tip for allergy sufferers: replace the mattress
It’s not just carpets that are real allergy drivers because pollen can settle in them, mattresses also serve as collection points for pollen and house dust. Wooden floors or parquet and other smooth floors are better than carpets; the old mattress should be replaced with an allergy-friendly model. The Comfort Pur cold foam mattress from Sun Garden is suitable for allergy sufferers and certified according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100:
- Cover suitable for allergy sufferers and removable
- Washable up to 40 degrees Celsius
- Quilted with climate fiber
Click here for the comfort foam mattress on Ebay
If you don’t want to buy a new mattress right away, you can also use an allergy mattress cover for your existing mattress. The Blumtal mattress cover is also Oeko-Tex certified and offers protection against pollen, mites and bed bugs:
- 140 x 200 centimeters
- For mattresses up to 20 centimeters high
- With zipper
Click here for the allergy sufferer duvet cover on Amazon
4. Nasal douches and eye drops for hay fever
Nasal sprays are a good acute aid and have a decongestant effect, but they should not be used over a long period of time. As a preventive measure, regular nasal douches help to clean mucous membranes and flush out pollen. Eye drops counteract red and irritated eyes and relieve burning, itching and tears. The set of nasal spray and eye drops from Allergodil alleviates acute allergic symptoms:
- Allergy combo pack
- Suitable for ages six and up
- With azelastine hydrochloride as a histamine receptor blocker
Click here for the allergy set on Amazon
The Emser nasal douche is easy to use and comes with nasal rinse salt:
- Quick help for allergies and hay fever
- Includes four bags of Emser nasal rinse salt
- 100 percent natural effect
Click here for the nasal douche on Amazon
5. Use air purifier to get rid of pollen
An air purifier can reduce the pollen concentration in the room air and sustainably improve the air quality – a great help for allergy sufferers, especially in the bedroom. Anyone who uses a device with additional air humidification is also doing something good for the mucous membranes, because well-moistened mucous membranes are less susceptible to allergic reactions. According to the manufacturer, the smart air purifier from Philips removes 99.97 percent pollen and dust from the air:
- Cleans rooms up to 78 square meters
- Three-layer filtration with NanoProtect HEPA, activated carbon and pre-filter
- Noise level: 50 decibels
Click here for the Philips air purifier on Amazon
6. Mow the lawn regularly
The pollen count in your own garden can be reduced by regularly mowing the lawn; grass pollen in particular is prevented in this way. However, if you suffer from a severe pollen allergy, you should leave the lawn mowing to someone else. Alternatively, a robotic lawnmower can be used and does its job every day without any external intervention, such as the Scheppach robotic lawnmower:
- Up to 900 square meters of lawn
- Cutting height continuously adjustable (from 20-60 millimeters)
- Control via app via Bluetooth or WiFi
Click here for the Scheppach robotic lawnmower on Amazon
Further preventive measures against hay fever etc.
In addition to the measures mentioned, there are a few more things that allergy sufferers can do to counteract the annoying symptoms caused by pollen:
- Do not spend long periods in nature during the flowering phases
- Walks are best done after a heavy rain shower
- Every day the pollen count forecast German Weather Service check
- Wash your hair every evening or brush it thoroughly
- Change bed linen regularly, if possible once a week
- Do not dry laundry outside
- Remove street clothes outside of the bedroom
- Wipe the surfaces of furniture and shelves regularly with a damp cloth
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