It’s here once again, that telltale sheen of yellow dust on the car windscreen. Allergy season is upon us. The first pollen of the season usually comes from trees, especially pines, and is followed by weeds and grasses as the weather starts to warm and plants begin to pollinate.
If you’re prone to sneezing, itchy, watery eyes and irritated skin during allergy season, here are a few tips to minimising the effects of pollen.
- Avoid going outside in the morning, when pollen counts tend to be higher, especially on windy days.
- Stay indoors during thunderstorms. While normal rain tends to clear pollen from the air, violent thunderstorms rupture the pollen into tinier, finer fragments that disperse easily on the wind.
- When outdoors, wear glasses or sunglasses.
- Wear a mask when mowing the lawn.
- Keep your windows closed at home and in your car. If you’re using the car’s ventilation system, set it to recycle the air instead of drawing it in from outside.
- If you’re holidaying, opt for seaside locations, where pollen counts are normally lower.
- Make sure you’re not growing any trees or plants in your garden that you’re particularly allergic to.
If seasonal allergies are making you really miserable, see your GP, who may be able to prescribe you a non-drowsy antihistamine tablet, nasal spray or eye drops.