Hay Fever Season is Here! Australian Residents Beware

Australian hay fever season is here! With red dust in the air, flowers everywhere, and bush fires burning, you can bet that hay fever will be at an all-time high this year. If you’re an Australian resident suffering from allergies to grass pollen or the smoke from your neighbor’s campfire, there are some quick and easy steps you can take to minimize your symptoms during hay fever season. Keep reading for more details about these steps and how they work.

What are the allergy seasons in Australia?
Spring is the main hay fever season in Australia, but allergies can occur year-round. If you’re allergic to pollen, residents beware – Australian hay fever is on! Symptoms include itchy eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing. If you’re suffering from hay fever, there are a few things you can do to ease your symptoms. Stay indoors as much as possible, wear a mask when you go outside, and take allergy medication. Your doctor may also prescribe immunotherapy injections or tablets if over-the-counter treatments don’t work for you.

How bad are your symptoms?
If you’re one of the unlucky few who suffer from hay fever, you know that the symptoms can range from mildly annoying to completely debilitating. And unfortunately, Australian hay fever is on the rise. So residents beware: the next few months are going to be tough. The best thing you can do is try your best to prevent them by following a good lifestyle regimen with plenty of exercise and a good diet. Make sure to take your allergy medication as prescribed and make sure it’s not expired so it’ll work better when you need it most.

Stay indoors at night
The pollen count is highest at night, so if you suffer from hay fever, it’s best to stay indoors during this time. Shutting all the windows and doors in your house can help create a barrier against pollen. If you have an air conditioner, set it to recirculate so that it’s not pulling in outside air. And if you can, avoid going outside altogether during the peak hours of pollen release, which are typically between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. on windy days. Keep in mind, that these guidelines won’t always work for people who work outdoors or have kids who play sports on the weekends.

Keep windows closed all-day
As the weather warms up, hay fever season is in full swing. For those with allergies, this means it’s time to start taking precautions to avoid the pollen that triggers their symptoms. One of the best things you can do is keep your windows closed all day. This will help keep pollen out of your home and make it easier to avoid triggering your allergies. If you must go outside, be sure to wear a dust mask and keep your eyes protected with sunglasses or glasses. The other good thing about keeping your windows closed is that it will also help keep your house cool. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time outdoors during hay fever season, consider investing in a HEPA filter for your bedroom at night. These filters capture particles like pollen so they don’t get into the air when you sleep.

Avoid exercise outside in the morning and evening hours
As the weather gets warmer and pollen levels rise, hay fever sufferers need to be extra vigilant. Avoiding exercise outside in the morning and evening hours, when pollen levels are at their highest, is a good way to reduce your exposure. If you must exercise outdoors, wear an N95 face mask and take a shower afterward to wash the pollen off your skin. With early identification of symptoms and an effective treatment plan, such as Allergy Relief or non-drowsy Claritin® 24HR (antihistamine), hay fever sufferers can continue living their normal lives without worry.