The pollen season is here, and for those with allergies, it can be a real struggle. Allergy medications usually work well, but there are also other things you can do to make life even better.
Pollen – a growing problem
More and more Swedes are suffering from pollen allergy, often starting in adulthood. One reason is that there are now higher levels of pollen in the air than before. This is largely due to an increasingly warmer climate, which gives trees and grasses more time to pollinate.
It is estimated that about a quarter of all adults in Sweden experience some form of discomfort from pollen, and in the last 30 years, the number of pollen allergy sufferers has increased by 20–25%. If you have pollen allergy or have started to feel symptoms during the pollen season, then read on.
Here are some of our best tips for pollen allergy:
Keep an eye on the pollen report
For those who have had allergies for several years, it's a given, but for those who have just discovered that they get allergic symptoms from pollen, it might be worth reminding them to keep an eye on the pollen report.
With an eye on the pollen report, you not only get an overview of how high the pollen levels are in the air right now, but you also get a heads-up on which types of pollen are expected to emerge in the future.
Take allergy medication on time
Allergy medications, especially antihistamines, work best when taken in advance. As soon as you get indications that the pollen season is approaching, you can start taking your medication, even if you don't feel any symptoms yourself at that moment.
If you are preventive, you give your body protection and avoid that shock-start when the body begins to produce histamine.
Keep windows and doors closed during the day
The highest pollen levels during the day are during daylight hours. It can therefore be a good idea to keep windows and doors closed during the day. During the evening, night, and early dawn, pollen levels are at their lowest, so it's better to air out your home during these times.
Shower & change clothes when you've been outside
The outdoor air is full of airborne pollen that gets caught in your hair and clothes. To avoid bringing a lot of pollen into your home, change clothes and take a shower when you get home. Another good tip is to avoid drying clothes outdoors during pollen season.
Pets track in pollen
Our furry friends who move outdoors are, unfortunately, real pollen magnets.
Dogs' and cats' fur can attract large amounts of pollen when they move through grass and bushes. If you can – rinse off your dog outdoors after the walk.
Pollen filter in the ventilation window
If you want to have open ventilation windows, it can be a good idea to install pollen filters in the ventilation part. Pollen filters and pollen nets are a smart and easy way to keep pollen levels down in your home.
Get a good air purifier
With a good and modern air purifier, you can truly tackle pollen that has found its way into your home. Air purifiers against pollen can be extremely effective at filtering out pollen.
Just make sure there is a really good filter in the air purifier and that it has a purification technology that doesn't solely rely on sucking air into the machine.
Do not bring plants indoors
Besides flowers being small pollen factories, they can also carry pollen from other plants that you might be allergic to. Let flowers and plants stay outdoors during the pollen season.
Create a pollen-free zone in your home
Wouldn't it be nice to have a space at home where you can be sure that pollen symptoms won't appear? But is it possible? It certainly can be – but it requires a bit of discipline and smart thinking.
The first thing you should do is choose which room you want to make into a pollen-free zone. We recommend the bedroom, as it is often a private space with a door that can be closed. It's also a place where you really don't want to experience itching or sneezing.
The first step is to thoroughly clean the room. Vacuum and wet-wipe all surfaces so that there are no old pollen accumulations left in the room.
Now that this space is to become your pollen-free zone, a good tip is to set up some rules for this room from the start. Write a note so that you and others are reminded that this room is a POLLEN-FREE ZONE. It is important that no one enters the room carelessly.
The most important rule for a pollen-free zone is that you never enter the room with the same clothes you wore outdoors. You get additional protection if you also make sure to shower (if you've been outdoors) before entering the room.
Pets that are outdoors must wait until after the pollen season before they are allowed into the room. Keep in mind that this applies from the moment you start cleaning the room.
The single most important element in a pollen-free zone is a good air purifier. The air purifier will clean the air in the room from pollen and keep the air clean and fresh.
There are many different machines on the market, but make sure you choose an air purifier with good filters and smart purification modes. Another important aspect is to choose an air purifier that is as quiet as possible, especially if you plan to sleep in the room.
With an air purifier running, you don't always need the same meticulous accuracy to keep the room as a pollen-free zone. Many users report that they don't need to take as much allergy medication after installing an air purifier at home. However, how we react to pollen allergy is highly individual, so see what works for you.
When pollen levels are at their highest, it can be a good idea to allow some extra comforts into the bedroom. Just remember to wipe off items and goods before bringing them into the bedroom. We can also recommend having access to drinking water in the room. During hot summer days, a cooler with ice packs and cold drinks can be pure heaven.
A pollen-free zone doesn't have to be a hermetically sealed room, but the more you keep the room and the air clean from pollen, the more pleasant your experience of your pollen-free zone will be.
