Hay Fever

• Avoid cutting grass, playing or walking in grassy areas, and camping.
• Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes when you are outdoors.
• Change your clothes and take a shower after being outdoors to remove the pollen on your body.
• Try to stay indoors when the pollen count is high (over 50).
• Keep windows and doors shut in the house. If it gets too warm, draw the curtains to keep out the sun and keep the temperature down.
• Do not keep fresh flowers in the house.
• Vacuum regularly, ideally using a machine with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter.
• Damp dust regularly. Dusting with a wet cloth, rather than a dry one, will collect the dust and stop any pollen from being spread around.
• Keep pets out of the house during the hay fever season. If your pet does come indoors, wash it regularly to remove any pollen from its fur.
• Do not smoke or let other people smoke in your house. Smoking and breathing in other people’s smoke will irritate the lining of your nose, eyes, throat and airways, and can make your symptoms worse.
• Keep car windows closed. You can buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car. This will need to be changed every time the car is serviced.

Source: HSE website