You’ve made it through cold and flu season and just as you thought you were coming out the other side of the tunnel unscathed then you get hit with high pollen, runny eyes and a sneeze that’s always lingering.
According to Allergy UK, 10-40% of all adults suffer from hay fever. This can make day-to-day activities from gardening to driving the car a bit of a nightmare. So what is Hay Fever?
Hay Fever
According to the NHS hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen which can affect your mouth, nose, throat and eyes. This can lead to multiple symptoms:
- Blocked/Runny Nose
- Feeling tired
- Itchy, watery or red eyes
- Sneezing
- Loss of smell
- Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
When you are behind a wheel and trying to concentrate on the journey ahead, dealing with a combination of these symptoms is less than ideal. It can also create a bigger risk for yourself and other drivers. So we at Stroll (fellow hay fever sufferers) have put together a top tip list for driving with hay fever.
Plan And Assess
If you are heading on a road trip or just heading to work on a sunny day make sure to check the pollen count before you leave. You can do this on the Met Office website or asking your Google or Alexa device. Pollen count will tend to be lower in urban areas, so try to avoid an country lanes especially those with flowers and crops.
Prepare your Car
This may come as a surprise but your car can have an increased effect on your hay fever symptoms. This can be prevented by doing the following:
- Check your cars pollen filter. If you car is less than 20 years old it will most likely have been produced with a cabin or pollen filter. This is used to keep the air conditioning free of debris. Your pollen filter should be changed around every 12,000 miles. Check in your local Halfords for a replacement filter or if you are unsure get your local mechanic to check for you. Some car washes/valets offer this service as well.
- Make sure you have tissues/hankies stashed in the car. Whether these are down in the side pockets or in the dashboard compartment, it never hurts to have some spare so that you can keep your eyes on the road.
- Keep those windows closed and make use of the air conditioning. As mentioned above, your air conditioning unit will be fitted with a pollen filter which will ensure that your hay fever doesn’t run havoc.
- Lastly make sure you regularly clean your car. This can help remove dust and pollen. A quick vacuum of your carpets and upholstery can do wonders.
Medication and Preparation
If you are taking any medication for your hay fever make sure to check the information leaflet to ensure that you are safe to drive as certain antihistamines can cause drowsiness. There are a few extra steps you can take to help reduce the symptoms of hay fever:
- Always have a spare pair of sunglasses handy in your car or in your bag
- Put a few dabs of Vaseline inside your nostrils. This helps to trap pollen before it can irritate your nasal hairs.
MEDIAL DISCLAIMER: The information provided is for educational purposes ONLY and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. If you seek more information on hay fever, check out the NHS and the Met Office.