How do we reduce the symptoms of Hay Fever? Simply put, we reduce exposure to pollen. Let’s look at a typical American home and understand how to achieve this reduction of pollen exposure.
First we need to make sure that we have air conditioning. While we all enjoy the breeze from an open window, that breeze will carry in the pollen that we want to keep out. Therefore we need air conditioning to keep the inside of our home pleasant. Since some pollen will get inside when door are opened and closed we need to make sure that the filter on is in good shape. Usually the air conditioning system uses the same filter as the furnace. Change to a high-end furnace filter available from 3M, WEB, and Purolator. These are much more effective than your bargain basement home improvement center filters. Next, change the filter monthly during the peak Hay Fever season. It is a small price to pay for a bit of cleaner air.
This next recommendation is simple and inexpensive. When you and your children come home after work or after play take a shower and put on freshly laundered clothes. Your hair, skin, and clothes are ideal places to harbor pollen so don’t spend the evening in your own personal pollen cloud. Get clean! This extra pollen-free time will help you to recover from the day and helps your body get ready for a restful sleep.
Wear a dust mask when you are doing the house cleaning. Many of the dusting and vacuuming devices put almost as much dust and pollen back circulating in the air as they take out. A dust mask will help you from getting a “snoot full” of pollen as you are cleaning. Speaking of vacuum cleaners, you should really have a HEPA vacuum or at least one with a HEPA filter after the bag filter. This will reduce the pollen and other bad stuff that you put back into your home air space.
Now that everything is clean and tidy the job should be done. If you still have sneezing at home the next line of defense is a HEPA air purifier. Put a small one in each bedroom and run them on high during the day. This will create a clean air bubble in which your family can sleep restfully. If there is a family room or other common area put an air purifier there so that just before bedtime you get maximum clean air.
If your family still sneezes see your Doctor for medication to address Hay Fever allergies. There are a number of new drugs that will block the T-Cells which cuse the runny nose due to pollen.
