If you’re an allergy sufferer you’re probably well aware that the pollen count in the air rn is HIGH. From streaming eyes to a runny nose, suffering from hay fever is nothing short of miserable, and as we approach the milder months those who have hay fever are set for a summer of sneezing.
Hay fever can impact the way you live, from how well you sleep to your productivity throughout the day. This is a pretty big deal, considering the IPU estimates that one in five Irish people suffer from hayfever. It can affect your ability to concentrate in class, it ruins the eye makeup you’ve spent ages perfecting, and it gets in the way when you’re trying to enjoy a day in the park with your friends.
For those suffering, finding some comfort is key, and luckily, there are a number of ways you can help ease symptoms and make the next few months bearable.
Wear some sunnies
You might think it’s pointless to pop on some sunglasses when the sun is covered by a layer of clouds, but it can help with allergies big time. Sunglasses work to protect your eyes against allergens blowing towards them, keeping them moistursed and pollen-free. If you have ones that wrap around your face – even better!
Use Vaseline
We all have a tin of it knocking around the house. Pop some vaseline around your nostrils to help catch some of the allergens before they get a chance to pass through. If you’re having a particularly bad day, pop some under your eyes too to help with runny, itchy eyes – the more moisturised your skin is, the more comfortable it will feel.
Change your routine
If you’re a morning showerer, it might be time to change up your routine. Showing in the evening is advisable so as to wash off any pollen that may gather on your skin, hair, or clothes. Also, washing your bed sheets more often in summer is also advisable so as to avoid infecting your bed with pollen.
Dry your clothes inside
If your parents or guardians usually dry your clothes outside on a washing line, maybe try to explain to them that this isn’t the best for you. Drying your clothes outside is a bad idea for those who have allergies because pollen will be blown directly onto them, irritating your skin when you wear them. Instead, during the months when pollen levels are high, dry your clothes and bedsheets indoors where pollen is less likely to catch onto them.