5 laundry hacks to help with hay fever as pollen count soars this week – including ditching fabric softener in your wash
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THE POLLEN count is set to soar this week, leaving many with itchy, red eyes and a runny nose.
Hayfever affects almost 10 million people in the UK and leaves many unable to enjoy the glorious summer weather.
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Hay fever can ruin many people's summers
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Hanging your laundry outside can lead to pollen falling on to clothes
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Pollen levels will each their highest on Thursday this week, so before then, it's a good idea to do all that you can to try and mitigate the problem.
1. Deep clean your washing machine
Pollen can get inside your washing machine, redepositing allergens back on to your clean clothes.
Therefore, it is important to regularly clean your machine, by running it on a hot cycle.
Simply, place a detox tablet into your washing machine, run it on the hottest possible setting, and then make sure to wipe down the door deal and filter.
2. Dry clothes inside
Although it may seem like common sense to dry your clothes outside in the hot dry weather, pollen from your garden can end up sticking on your dry clothing.
To avoid this, try drying your clothes inside instead.
3. Ditch fabric softener
Fabric softeners may make your clothes silky soft, but they also make it easier for pollen to lodge deep inside the structure of your clothes.
The heavy fragrance in the products also contains chemicals, which can irritate the skin and lead to respiratory problems.
4. Buy anti-allergy bedding
Anti-allergy bedding is a great way to be able to ensure you can still have a great night's sleep if you suffer from allergies.
Depending on which type of bedding you buy, it can work in two ways.
Woman missed her brother's wedding because of 'life-ruining' hay fever symptoms
Firstly, the bedding can work to trap dust and pollen within the duvet, so it can't be dispersed and irritate your allergies.
Or, natural materials work to repel dust and pollen, so they can't become trapped in your bedding.
Home Bargains is currently selling an anti-allergy duvet for just £7.99.
Wash bedding every week
Normally, it is recommended to wash your bedding every one to two weeks.
Hay fever first aid kit
Analyse your symptoms and find the best medication kit for you...
Antihistamines
Antihistamines (cetirizine or loratadine) work by blocking histamine in the body, which is released when the body detects something it thinks is harmful.
Histamine causes blood vessels to expand and the skin to swell, but in people with hay fever, also causes an allergic reaction. That's the watering eyes, blocked nose, rashes and so on.
Max Wiseberg, airborne allergens expert and creator of HayMax, says that many antihistamines are available on prescription, such as Telfast, which you can see your GP for or get through an online doctor, such as LloydsPharmacy.
Telfast, and other prescription-only antihistamine tablets, work in the same way as over-the-counter antihistamines, but are stronger and intended to help with more severe symptoms.
'Get your prescription in advance of the season so you have your medication in time to start taking it at the right time,' he says.
'Some are best taken at least one month before the hay fever season starts."
Nasal sprays
A nasal spray can be effective in controlling congestion and stuffiness.
Pharmacists can advise on nasal sprays (sodium cromoglicate, ipratropium bromide or decongestant), and eye drops, too.
Nasal sprays can also help with other symptoms of hay fever 'because the medicine is targeted directly to the nose, which is where the vast majority of allergens enter the body', Max says.
Independent pharmacist Rita Ghelani says: 'Try Xlear nasal spray, which contains xylitol, and has anti-bacterial properties and keeps the nasal lining moist.
'If symptoms are more severe, then try an anti-inflammatory nasal spray – sometimes referred to as a steroid nasal spray – which can take a few days to work.
'Start with one that contains beclomethasone, which is used twice a day, in the morning and at night.'
Rita also advises cleaning the nose with a saline nasal spray before a steroid spray, saying: 'It will remove sticky mucus from the nasal passage, thus improving the effectiveness of the medication.'
Eye drops
If itchy eyes are your primary concern, Rita says: 'Try using sodium cromoglicate eye drops.
"These make the eyes less sensitive to allergens such as pollen and reduce irritation.
"They need to be used four times a day to keep the levels of the active ingredient high enough to be effective.
"Keep using them even if symptoms improve.
'Using a good eye drop to lubricate the eyes may also help with dry eyes during the summer months.'
However, if you suffer from allergies, you should make sure to do it every week.
Pollen can easily become trapped in your bedding and build up, leading to severe symptoms and lack of sleep.
For the best results, wash your bedding at 60 degrees, and wait until its completely dry before putting it back on your bed.
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