Seasonal allergies

How our washing habits could be aggravating our seasonal allergies.

Summer seems to be upon us with a heatwave promised for the next few weeks, but with the summer comes the inevitable seasonal allergies.

It’s thought that up to 25% of UK adults suffer from hay fever, and with climate change ramping up, we could be experiencing a hay fever season that is both more severe and extending well into September or October.

Pollen tends to stick to softer fabrics meaning that small habits around washing and drying our clothing could be working to worsen our seasonal allergies.

With this in mind, we spoke to Professor Adam Fox, a Paediatric Allergist working at a leading London teaching hospital and the President of British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology to learn about what changes we can make around our day-to-day clothes washing and drying habits that can help alleviate the itch.

Wash bedding more than normal

Our bedding can be another key place where pollen particles can collect, particularly as we spend a lot of time face-to-pillowcase. In the summer months, it’s advisable to wash our bedding more than normal so that when we jump under the covers at the end of the day, we’re not facing even more allergens.

You might also want to consider taking clothes off ahead of entering the bedroom and washing hair ahead of climbing into bed. This means that any pollen particles that may be clinging to us aren’t brought into the bed ready to agitate us later.

Where possible, avoid leaving windows open throughout the day too as you could be inviting pesky pollen particles in that will later settle on bedding overnight.

Top tips to avoid seasonal suffering

Based on this, here is a quick checklist from Dr Adam Fox of things to consider that could help minimise your seasonal allergies:

  • Avoid being outside in the early morning and evening, as the pollen counts are highest then (unless it is raining).
  • Sleep with bedroom windows closed if you can.
  • Wear sunglasses, preferably the wrap around type and use goggles when swimming in the sea or in the pool.
  • Pollen will be brought into the house on washing dried outside, so be mindful of hanging clothing out too early in the morning or bringing it in too late at night. You might also want to consider using a tumble drier for bedding in the pollen season.
  • Limit trips to rural areas. Sea breezes blow pollen inland, so escape to the seaside instead.
  • Take off clothes before entering the bedroom to prevent outside allergens entering the area you sleep in.
  • Shower before going to bed as pollen sticks to hair and skin as well as the clothing we wear.
  • Apply Vaseline around the edge of each nostril this can act as a barrier to trap pollen
  • Use of a nasal douche such as Sterimar, may help to wash away pollens and irritants. This can be used just prior to nasal sprays to maximise their effect.
  • When it’s especially bad, don’t be afraid to consult your pharmacist or even your GP to get help.