Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Sun.
Sun who?
S’unbelievable, spring is near!
The days are getting longer, and the sunshine is lingering enough to promise livelier days ahead. With the advent of Spring, so too, do we herald the opening of Allergy Season.
According to ABS statistics, almost a quarter of Australians (23.9%) reported suffering from hay fever.
Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis is a common condition where your body reacts to allergens in the air. When you breathe them in and they reach the moist tissues of your nose, your body releases chemicals, such as histamine, and causes:
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy nose and eyes
- Sneezing or wheezing
- Watery eyes
- Fatigue
- Headaches
In Australia, hay fever is one of the most common long-term breathing issues, and interestingly, it affects working-age adults more than children or seniors. In other words, that’s us, folks.
Although not serious, hay fever can be extremely bothersome. It messes with your sleep, focus, and energy. And, especially in spring, when the pollen count is elevated and the breeze whizzes it about like an airborne buzzkill, it can make life harder than it should be when the sun is out and spirits are high.
You may not be able to escape it, and medications such as antihistamines don’t cure it, but you can minimise your exposure and manage it better.
There’s an App For That
As with almost everything, your phone can come to your rescue. The following apps are really useful for seasonal or chronic hay fever sufferers, as well as asthmatics triggered by airborne allergens.
AirRater
For our friends in ACT, NT & Tasmania, AirRater will provide you with daily pollen counts and alerts based on over 25 types of native and introduced pollen. The app is supported by health departments in Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the ACT. The app also covers the rest of our crew in other states, receiving data from Sydney Pollen for NSW, and from the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology for our QLD and WA crew.
Melbourne Pollen
Victorians can rest easy with Melbourne Pollen in their pocket. By providing pollen forecasts using data collected from a network of monitoring sites statewide, the app helps you track your hay fever symptoms and figure out which pollen types are triggering your symptoms, and alert you when grass pollen levels in your area are high, so you can plan ahead.
AllergyPal
With nation-wide coverage, AllergyPal helps people manage allergies, especially in emergency situations. It’s not just about the air, with this app. This has been built to support families, caregivers, educators, and healthcare providers across Australia for all types of allergies, including food and insects and also provides emergency support.
What else can you do?
- Close windows on windy days
Although tempting to let the breeze in, it’s better to keep pollen out. - Shower and change clothes after being outside
Pollen can stick to your skin, hair, and clothes so give yourself a quick rinse. - Vacuum and dust regularly
Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap allergens and keep your indoor air cleaner. - Dry laundry indoors
Hanging clothes outside can collect pollen, that you’ll carry around with you. Right under your itchy nose. - Use an air purifier
A good air purifier can help reduce indoor allergens, especially in bedrooms. - Vacuum your mattress and soft furnishings
Dust mites love mattresses, couches, and cushions. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to suck up allergens hiding in the fabric. - Wash your bedding weekly in hot water
Kill those dust mites and remove pollen that may have settled on your sheets. - Clean your vents and filters
Heater, air conditioner, or purifier, clean the vents to make sure the air they’re circulating is clean. - Damp wipe surfaces
Dry dusting can stir allergens into the air, using a damp cloth traps them better.
We hope that this will help you minimise your bouts of hay fever this Spring, so you feel better, look better and enjoy the season, with a few less sneezes, tears and tissues.