The Carrot Tops Allotment Blog!

If you suffer from hayfever, you probably find getting out into the garden a bit of hindrance. Itchy eyes, a runny nose and sneezing fits can ruin anyone’s time at an allotment or in the garden. According to the NHS, one in five people are affected by hayfever every year.

What is Hayfever?

Hayfever is an allergic reaction to pollen. Pollen is a fine powder released by plants during their reproductive cycle. Pollen contains proteins that can cause the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses to become swollen, irritated and inflamed – not very nice!  The best way to deal with hayfever is to try and reduce your exposure to pollen, or at least prepare yourself with coming into contact with pollen.

Drug-free ways to deal with Hayfever

• The pollen count is at its highest in the morning in the morning and at night. The reason for this is because pollen in the air rises as the temperature increases during the day, at night, as the temperature cools, the air pollen with fall again. If you’re a real sufferer then stay indoors during these times.
• Pollen sticks to everything including your skin, hair and clothes. Give your clothes a good shake when you go indoors and take showers regularly to deal with the pollen dust.
• Keep your house and living quarters clean.  Dust in the home can harbour pollen, which can easily be kicked up by a draft or general day to day goings on.
• At night, when you’re in bed, your nostrils turn into a canal for pollen to flow right into your sinuses – run Vaseline or beeswax under your nostrils to catch some of those alleges from entering your sinuses at night – it’s a little bit greasy, but you don’t wake up in the morning with a runny or blocked up nose.
• Wearing sunglasses when you’re outside will also help combat pollen from reaching your eyes – you’ll also increase your personal cool factor.
• If you’re a smoker, quit. Smoking can enhance the symptoms you’d otherwise feel during a normal pollen attack.
• Keep an eye out for pollen forecasts. Forewarned is forearmed.