Allergy season: an annual challenge for many
Do you also suffer from seasonal allergies? Spring marks the start of a challenging time for many allergy sufferers. Every year, around 20 % of the population struggle with symptoms such as itchy, reddened eyes, blocked or runny nose and sneezing attacks. The main trigger: pollen from trees, shrubs, grasses and other plants.
Exposure to pollen can vary depending on the weather conditions and region. Particularly dry and windy days intensify the symptoms, while rain clears the air of pollen and provides short-term relief. The time of day also plays a role: the pollen concentration is usually higher in the morning and evening than in the afternoon.
Many sufferers resort to various measures to alleviate their symptoms. In addition to medication, there are numerous strategies that can help to minimise contact with allergy triggers. In more severe cases, medical counselling can be useful in order to receive individually tailored therapy. Further information on the daily pollen count and helpful tips can be found on the website of the Austrian Pollen Monitoring Service.
Here are our 6 tips for the allergy season
1. keep an eye on the pollen count
Find out about the current pollen count in your region every day. Use special pollen count forecasts and apps to adjust your outdoor activities accordingly. On days with high pollen counts, it is advisable to minimise your time outdoors and to do sports indoors. After rainfall, on the other hand, there is usually less pollen in the air, so it is better to go for a walk or air out your living space.
2. keep living spaces pollen-free
Pollen often gets indoors unnoticed and can cause persistent discomfort. To avoid this, you should install pollen screens on windows and preferably ventilate in the early hours of the morning or after rainfall. Vacuum cleaning with a HEPA filter and regular damp mopping can help to remove pollen from the home. Take care not to wear street shoes indoors to reduce the amount of pollen carried in.
3. wash clothes and hair regularly
After spending time outdoors, pollen often sticks to skin, hair and clothing. It is therefore advisable to change your clothes when you get home and not to keep them in the bedroom. Take a shower in the evening to remove the pollen from your hair and change your bed linen regularly to avoid allergic reactions during the night.
4. wear sunglasses outside
Sunglasses not only offer protection from UV radiation, but can also prevent pollen from getting directly into the eyes. Especially on windy days, this can help to reduce symptoms such as redness, itching and tearing. Models with a tight fit or side shields are particularly effective.
5. do not dry laundry outdoors
Even if it seems practical to dry laundry in the fresh air, this is not recommended during the pollen season. Pollen settles on damp textiles and can later cause discomfort when worn or indoors. It is therefore better to dry your laundry indoors or use a tumble dryer.
6. use nasal showers and eyewashes
Regular nasal irrigation with a saline solution can help to remove pollen from the nasal mucous membranes and thus alleviate symptoms such as sneezing or a blocked nose. Rinsing your eyes with sterile saline solution can also help to soothe irritated and watery eyes. These methods are particularly useful if you start to experience symptoms after spending time outdoors.
Well prepared for the allergy season
A pollen allergy can have a considerable impact on everyday life, but with the right preparation, the symptoms can be reduced. Keep yourself regularly informed about the current pollen count, take preventative measures and consider medical support if necessary. Everyone reacts differently, so it's worth trying out different strategies and finding the best solutions for you. These tips will help you cope better with the allergy season and improve your quality of life.
