Hay fever - Preventing hay fever

It is very difficult to completely avoid pollen. However, reducing your exposure to the substances that trigger your hay fever should ease your symptoms.

Staying indoors

If possible, try to stay indoors when the pollen count is high (over 50). The following tips may help reduce your exposure to pollen:

Keep windows and doors shut in the house. If it gets too warm, draw the curtains to keep out the sun and keep the temperature down.
Don't keep fresh flowers in the house.
Vacuum regularly, ideally using a machine with a HEPA (high-efficiency particle arresting) filter.
Damp dust regularly. Dusting with a wet cloth, rather than a dry one, will collect the dust and stop any pollen from being spread around.
Keep pets out of the house during the hay fever season. If your pet does come indoors, wash them regularly to remove any pollen from their fur.
Don't smoke or let other people smoke in your house. Smoking and breathing in other people's smoke will irritate the lining of your nose, eyes, throat and airways, and can make your symptoms worse.
If possible, avoid drying clothes outside. This will help prevent bringing pollen into your house.

Avoiding pollen outside

If you need to go outside or are travelling, the following tips may help reduce your exposure to pollen:

Avoid cutting grass, playing or walking in grassy areas and camping – particularly in the early morning, evening and at night when pollen counts are highest.
Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes.
Change your clothes and take a shower after being outdoors to remove the pollen on your body.
Keep car windows closed. You can buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car. This will need to be changed every time the car is serviced.

Allergen: An allergen is a substance, such as pollen, that reacts with the body's immune system and causes an allergic reaction.
Allergy: Allergy is the term used to describe an adverse (bad) reaction that the body has to a particular substance.