HSE issue little-known ‘do not dry clothes outside' alert to one in four Irish people
IRISH people are being urged "not to dry clothes outside" this summer as it can exacerbate a common illness.
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Hay fever is also called seasonal allergic rhinitis
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When the pollen count is high, or when you or your neighbours are cutting the grass, drying your clothes outside can bring pollen back into your home as it sticks to the material.
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen as its symptoms start as soon as the pollen comes into contact with your mouth, nose, eyes, and throat.
It is also called seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis or hay fever affects one in four Irish people, and at least 400 million people worldwide.
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Hay fever symptoms are usually worse between late March and September as the pollen count is at its highest when the weather is warm, humid and windy.
Pollen is a fine powder that comes from plants - and the most common sources are trees, grass and weeds.
Grass pollen is the one that most people are allergic to, and this will start being released from mid-May until July.
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This is followed by weed pollen which is released until the season ends in September.
Irish people can have symptoms for weeks or months, or sometimes all year round.
When your hay fever symptoms could really be signs of cancer
You are more likely to get hay fever if it runs in your family or if your family has a history of asthma or eczema.
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HAY FEVER SYMPTOMS
THERE are a number of symptoms you might notice:
sneezing and coughing
a runny or blocked nose
itchy, red or watery eyes
itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
loss of smell
pain around your temples and forehead
headache
earache
feeling tired
Hay fever symptoms in children are the same as in adults.
According to the
The health executive added: "There's no cure for hay fever and you cannot prevent it.
"But you can try to avoid pollen when the count is high."
Health chiefs advised those allergic to pollen to check its forecast count daily at Met Éireann, and also to put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen.
They added: "[You should] wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen from getting into your eyes, shower and change your clothes after you've been outside to wash the pollen off [and] stay indoors or plan indoor activities for children when the pollen count is high."
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TOP TIPS
Irish people should also keep windows and doors closed when the pollen count is high.
Health chiefs also revealed four tips of what not to do while the pollen season is on.
They said: "Do not cut grass or walk on grass.
"Do not keep fresh flowers in the house.
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"Do not smoke or be around smoke - it makes your symptoms worse.
"Do not dry clothes outside - they can trap pollen."
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Hay fever symptoms in children are the same as in adults
Credit: Getty
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