DID YOU KNOW?

Hayfever

Here are some suggestions that could help to reduce your exposure to pollen:

• Stay away from grassy areas, especially on warm days

• Get someone else to mow the lawn

• Keep house windows closed when the grass is being cut

• Sleep with bedroom windows closed during calm, still summer nights

• Wear sunglasses to help stop pollen getting into your eyes

• Keep car windows and air vents closed

• Take holidays by the sea - pollen counts are lower by the seaside

• Take a shower when coming indoors to wash the pollen away

• Tumble-dry washing - don't hang it out to dry and bring pollen into the home

Indoor allergies

Useful measures to take that could help reduce exposure to what triggers your indoor allergy:

• House-dust mites infest the whole house, even the bedroom

• Regularly vacuum clean soft furnishings, curtains, carpets and floors to reduce build-up of dust

• When replacing your vacuum cleaner, choose one with the Allergy Friendly logo

• Vacuum clean mattresses every two weeks

• Try and replace pillows with new ones every three months

• Wash bedding at a high temperature - 60°C plus, to kill the house-dust mite

• Enclose bedding in a fabric specially designed to prevent the passage of mite allergen - this is both comfortable and helps reduce symptoms

• Reduce moisture and damp by keeping the house well ventilated - open outer doors and windows when cooking, but keep internal doors closed

General

• A skin prick test, which your doctor may suggest, can identify what you are allergic to.

• When you find out what you are allergic to, take steps to avoid the allergen.

• If you develop an infection and you are allergic to penicillin, be sure and tell the doctor who is treating you.

• If you have sensitive skin, wash yourself with low alkali soap bars and choose hypoallergenic (non-sensitising) cosmetics - usually without perfumes.

• Don't use products after their expiry date.