Does my nose look big and red in this weather?

Yes, spring is finally here and so are hay fever symptoms for many of us. Sadly, for a few of us, suffering is all year round due to allergy to more than just pollen!

So what to do to look great and refreshed instead of red and tired in this weather? Knowing and avoiding your trigger(s) is certainly helpful. Common triggers include pollen and smoke (during the warmer months), animal dander, fungal spores, house dust mites (found in just about everything in the house including mattresses, sofas and carpets and so exist all year long!).

In the old days, some very wealthy hay fever sufferers in America (hay-feverites; yes, I didn’t make the name up) used to hide out in remote mountain retreats during the hot months. That is certainly not an option open to us mere mortals!

Pollen counts are usually highest from early morning to noon and on windy days. Staying inside during these hours and especially on high-count days, wearing sunglasses and rinsing your nose with saline are all useful. Steroid nasal sprays, antihistamines and certain herbal remedies can also help.

As for those house dust mites, like cheesy pop songs, it is almost impossible to get rid of them completely! Using dust mite covers, washing in hot water and frequent house cleaning, while not the most fun thing one can do in this glorious WA weather, can certainly help.

For more information, check out the Health Direct website or speak to a health professional. Hopefully , we all enjoy our amazing spring and summer without running after our noses!

Question: What do you called a Dracula with hay fever?

Answer: A Pollen Count