Living in Dorset means enjoying beautiful landscapes and lush greenery. Together with the beautiful beaches around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and the coastal currents, our area can also make an ideal ground for high pollen counts. If you suffer from tree pollen allergy, the worst is gone. However, it’s the grass pollen season that is now in full swing. According to our pollen count tracker, we are getting almost daily counts of moderate to high grass pollen in the air.
The grass pollen season is due to peak around late June/ July so the next few weeks can be troublesome if you don’t have a grip on your allergy control.
Arbitrary index of grass pollen counts showing the peak tends to be in June/ July and remains elevated until late September/ October.
To help you manage your allergies and create a more comfortable home environment, here are the top five of my tips to protect your home against grass pollen allergies this season.
1. Keep Windows and Doors Closed to Reduce Grass Pollen in Your Home
Grass pollen allergy, also known as hay fever causes symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose. In more serious cases it can cause a persistent, mostly dry, cough and can even exacerbate your asthma.
Pollen grains are microscopic, allowing them to travel easily through the air and infiltrate your living space. Any wind currents can further increase the flow of these particles. This is also why the pollen counts are usually higher on a windy day.
During the spring and summer months, when grass pollen levels are at their highest, it’s essential to minimise your exposure if you have hayfever. Although medication such as antihistamines and corticosteroid nasal sprays can alleviate the symptoms, prevention always works best.
Timing is Key
Pollen counts tend to be highest in the early morning and late afternoon. If you do want to open your window to let fresh air in, it’s best to do it outside these time periods.
Consider Extractor Fans
Extractor fans specifically in the kitchen and the bathroom can also help the amount of indoor aeroallergens. This could be an alternative to opening your windows if you need to ventilate an indoor space during high pollen counts.
Air Conditioning?
Air conditioning units, especially in new builds are becoming more popular. These can be a great alternative to opening windows. They not only cool your home but also filter out allergens, including pollen. Ensure that your air conditioning system is well-maintained and that the filters are regularly cleaned or replaced. Some of the more advanced models even come with built-in HEPA filters, providing an additional layer of protection against pollen. These can filter the aeroallergens that have already made their way inside.
If you do have an air conditioning machine, ensure that the filters are cleaned regularly.
2. Use Air Purifiers with HEPA Filters
Investing in a high-quality air purifier with a HEPA filter can significantly reduce the pollen count inside your home.
HEPA filters are designed to trap tiny particles, including pollen, and prevent them from circulating in the air. Place air purifiers in the most commonly used rooms, such as the living room and bedroom, to maintain cleaner air throughout your home.
Air purifiers for indoor air are also beneficial in reducing other aeroallergens such as dust, mold and pet dander.
Just like with the air conditioning filters, ensure these are regularly cleaned and replaced to maintain the efficiency of your air purifier.
3. Shower and Change Clothes After Being Outdoors
Grass pollen can easily stick to your skin, hair, and clothing when you’ve been outside. To avoid bringing pollen into your home, make it a habit to shower and change clothes immediately after returning indoors.
If you have to keep going in and out, at least avoid contact between the clothes that have been outside and soft surfaces like the sofa or at least your bedding.
Pets and Pollen
Also, note that pets can also bring pollen in on their fur. Regularly grooming and bathing your pets can help reduce the amount of pollen they carry indoors. Creating a pet-free zone in certain parts of the house, like the bedroom, can also help reduce your exposure.
4. Clean and Vacuum Regularly
Cleaning regularly helps with a myriad of problems. It’s also essential in reducing the house dust mite exposure, reducing the pet dander, and of course also reducing the amount of grass pollen that’s made its way indoors.
All of these aeroallergens are quite light so they can travel through even the smallest window or door cracks. They then settle on surfaces and become airborne with the slightest air current.
Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to ensure that pollen particles are effectively trapped and not re-released into the air. Pay special attention to carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture, as these can harbour pollen.
Remember that although air purifiers are great, they do need to be maintained and cleaned regularly.
5. Monitor Pollen Counts
Staying informed about the daily pollen count in your local area can help you plan your activities and take better preventive measures on high pollen days. There are several apps and websites that provide up-to-date pollen forecasts. Of course one of these is our own pollen count tracker. This displays detailed pollen count data on a scale of 0 to 7. You can search by your general area or even exact postcode.
Here are some other quick tips that you can think about exploring further:
- Dry laundry indoors on high pollen days: This can help keep your clothes and bedding pollen-free.
Use Pollen-Proof Screens: Install fine mesh pollen screens on windows to allow air circulation while blocking pollen. While the true efficiency of these is yet to be determined, they are an alternative that can physically reduce the amount of pollen particles that make their way indoors.
Install Door Sweeps: Add door sweeps to exterior doors to prevent pollen from being blown in underneath.
Maintain Gutters: Regularly clean your gutters to prevent a buildup of pollen and other debris that can blow into your home.
Use Allergy-Proof Bedding: Invest in allergy-proof mattresses and pillow covers to prevent pollen and other allergens from accumulating.
Keep Bedding Clean: Wash bed linens regularly in hot water (60C degrees) to remove any pollen and house dust mites that might have settled during the day.
I hope these tips help. If hayfever is really getting you down and would like to get rid of it for good, immunotherapy may be an option. Contact us to discuss further.
