Everyday Ways to Reduce Hay Fever Symptoms

If spring is a time when you start sneezing and rubbing your eyes, you’re not alone. Around one in five New Zealanders suffer from hay fever (allergic rhinitis), an allergic reaction that affects the nose, throat, sinuses, and eyes. It often starts in childhood and can last a lifetime. While there’s no cure, we’ve listed some things you can do to reduce the symptoms caused by common hay fever triggers:  

Pollens 

• Consider staying inside when the pollen count forecast is high, on windy days and during or after thunderstorms.  

• Keep windows and doors shut when you can.  

• Choose plants for your garden that are pollinated by birds or insects, rather than plants that release pollen into the air. 

• Don’t keep fresh flowers in your house. 

• Don’t dry clothes outside as they can catch pollen. 

• Wear wrap-around glasses, a mask or a wide-brimmed hat to stop pollen from getting into your nose or eyes. 

• Avoid mowing the lawn, raking leaves or having an open compost heap. Splash your eyes with cold water, take a shower, or change your clothes after outdoor activities that expose you to a lot of pollen. 

• Rub petroleum jelly inside your nose to stop the pollen from coming into contact with the lining of your nose. 

• Get a pollen filter for the air vents in your car. 

Pet Dander 

• If you are allergic to pet dander, you should ideally not have a pet. 

• If you do, keep your pet outdoors and out of bedrooms. 

• Wash your pet regularly. 

Dust Mites

• Keep your house well-ventilated to avoid a build-up of moist air inside the house (because house dust mites thrive in damp conditions). 

• Choose hard floors rather than carpet. 

• Choose vinyl or leather furnishings rather than soft covers. 

• Cover mattresses and pillows with dust mite covers. 

• Wash your bedding once a week in hot water (more than 60°C). 

• Vacuum regularly using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA air filter or, if possible, get someone else to do the vacuuming.  

• Dust with a damp cloth. 

• Wash soft toys regularly in hot water or put them in a plastic bag in the freezer for two days. 

Mould 

• Remove visible mould with bleach or other suitable cleaner. 

• Maximise natural ventilation in areas where mould is likely to grow. 

• Remove indoor plants that may promote mould growth. 

Treatment Options That Can Help

• Antihistamines (tablets, nasal sprays, or eye drops) reduce sneezing, runny noses, and itching. 

• Did you know? The newer antihistamine fexofenadine - brand name TELFAST - is now fully funded with a doctor’s prescription! Please talk to your GP if you think this might be helpful for you. 

• Steroid nasal sprays are great for long-term relief and work best when used regularly. 

• Eye drops can soothe red, itchy eyes. 

• Decongestants may help with a blocked nose, but are best for short-term use. 

Other Ways to Look after Yourself if You Suffer from Hay Fever 

• Don’t smoke, and avoid being around smoke, as it can make your symptoms worse. 

• If you have asthma, hay fever can make it worse and more difficult to control. We recommend that you visit your GP a few weeks before the hay fever season starts to check if you need a new asthma plan.   

You don’t need to put up with hay fever. If your symptoms are affecting your sleep, work, or wellbeing, come and see us. We can help you find the right treatment plan so you can breathe easier and enjoy the season again. 

You can book an appointment through ManageMyHealth if you have that set that up, or by calling our clinic on 07 839 5004.