How Grooming Your Pet Can Help Your Hay Fever

Peak hay fever season runs from late May through June to the end of July. This is when grass pollen production is at its highest and 95% of hay fever sufferers are allergic to grass pollen. “If you have a pet, pollen can stick to its coat, especially if it has long hair,” says airborne allergens expert and creator of HayMax allergen barrier balm, Max Wiseberg. “So make sure that you keep them well groomed and shampooed as much as possible to remove pet allergens and pollen particles.” Max shares his tips to pet owners this summer.

“Hay fever is a result of our immune system’s overreaction to innocuous antigens such as pollen,” continues Max. “The body’s reaction to pollen is to produce histamines. Normal amounts of histamines in your brain are good – they keep you alert, attentive and awake. But, when there are too many in your body, they produce the various symptoms common to hay fever sufferers including sneezing, a runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, watery eyes, streaming eyes, swollen eyes and an itchy nose and throat.”

“Avoiding the allergen is always key with any allergy, whatever it might be. If you are allergic to dairy, you avoid dairy, and it’s the same with pollen – only it’s a little more difficult as it’s in the air we breathe, especially when you’re outdoors.”

“Try to keep your pet out of the room you sleep in and off beds and sofas if possible, to avoid pollen grains being transferred there. Vacuum your home regularly, especially beds, upholstery and fabrics to remove pollen particles. And damp dust surfaces – damp dusting will help prevent pollen particles being dispersed back into the air. This also removes dust and pet allergens.”

“Getting plenty of exercise helps, so if you have a dog, dog walking can help. But make sure you avoid going on your walk early in the morning and early evening when the pollen count is at its highest, especially on warm, dry, sunny days.

“Apply an allergen barrier balm such as HayMax (www.haymax.biz), around the rim of the nostrils and bones of the eyes first thing in the morning, before you go to bed at night and before you walk the dog to stop pollen getting in your body – less pollen, less reaction. HayMax organic drug-free allergen barrier balm has been proven to trap over one third of pollen before it enters the body [1].”

“Tie your hair up and wear a hat or other head cover when walking your dogs to prevent pollen particles being caught in your hair. And wraparound sunglasses will not only help protect your eyes from the sun, but will help to prevent pollen particles coming in contact with your eyes.”

“When you get back home after your walk, remove your shoes at the door so you don’t tread pollen around your home. And if you change your clothes after being out, this will further reduce the amount of pollen you bring back indoors. Then wash your face to wash away pollen so that it can’t cause a reaction. Better still, take a shower to remove pollen particles, dust and pet allergens from your hair and body.”