Hay fever season is in full force. Usually in it’s peak from mid-March to September, hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen that can affect your eyes, nose, mouth, and throat. Despite the fact that there is no cure for hay fever, here are some top tips on how to alleviate your symptoms. 

• Buy anti-allergy bedding 
• Wash your bedding often 
• Dry your bedding inside 
• Shut your doors and windows
• Keep pets out of your bedroom 
• Drink plenty of water 
• Shower before bed

Buy anti-allergen bedding 

If you suffer from hay fever it’s best to invest in anti-allergen bedding. Anti-allergen bedding can work in two ways depending on what type of bedding you buy. Firstly, it can work to trap dust and pollen within your bedding so that it can’t be dispersed and irritate your allergens. Alternatively, natural materials repel dust and pollen so that they can’t become trapped in your bedding. If you have found yourself in the past having a particularly difficult time sleeping due to hay fever symptoms, anti-allergen bedding is the first step to having a peaceful night’s sleep. 

Wash your bedding often 

Bedding should be washed every 1-2 weeks, but if you suffer from hay fever you must make sure to wash it every week. It is very easy for pollen and dust to become trapped in your bedding and, if not washed every week, it can build up. This could cause more severe hay fever symptoms and a loss of sleep. For the best results, wash your bedding at 60 degrees and wait until it is completely dry to put back on your bed. 

Dry your bedding inside 

It is encouraged to dry your laundry outside whenever possible, however, if you have hay fever NEVER dry your bedding outside. It is incredibly easy for pollen to stick to your laundry, so drying your bedding outside will lead to an increase of pollen in your bedding. This can lead to increased hay fever symptoms and loss of sleep. To avoid this, dry your bedding either using a tumble dryer or by hanging over a drying rack.

Shut your doors and windows

During the summer it’s always nice to open your windows and let the fresh air circulate your home. If you are a hay fever sufferer this could lead to more harm than good. Pollen showers can happen at any time, however, the pollen count is always the highest first thing in the morning, and as the temperature begins to drop at night. If your windows are open during these times it can lead to a rush of pollen entering your home and irritating your hay fever symptoms. 

Keep pets out of your bedroom

If you have pets try and avoid having them in your bedroom. Pets, such as dogs and cats, carry pollen in their fur from being outside and rolling around in the grass. If you allow your pet into your bedroom, and specifically onto your bed, they can transfer pollen onto your bedding, leaving you to suffer with hay fever symptoms throughout the night. To avoid this, take every precaution to keep your room clear of pollen, including keeping your pets out. 

Drink plenty of water 

Congestion and sinus pressure are two common hay fever symptoms. There are a number of ways that you can clear your sinuses, but the easiest is to stay hydrated. Drinking 8 glasses of water every day will keep your body hydrated, clear your sinuses, and reduce the production of histamine in your system. 

Shower before bed  

It’s important to rid yourself of any pollen residue before getting into bed at night. The easiest way to do so is by having a shower. Spending time outdoors will leave pollen residing on your skin and in your hair so before going to bed its best to thoroughly wash your hair and body to remove all of the pollen. In addition to this, if your hay fever causes you to have blocked sinuses and difficulty breathing, the steam from a shower can help clear any mucus and unblock your sinuses for a clearer night’s sleep. 

Throughout hay fever season make sure that you are consistently washing your bedding and clothing. Book your Laundryheap dry cleaning slot now by visiting the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app. Now available in Kuwait, NYC and Bahrain.