Hay fever season is in full swing, leaving countless people struggling to manage a host of unwanted symptoms – and there’s one bedroom “hot spot” that needs extra attention. Though the warmer weather is a welcome respite from the grey and drizzle so commonly associated with life in the UK, for some people, summer can make them feel so unwell that the cold winters seem preferable.
Hay fever is very common in the UK and, according to the Met Office, it affects around 10 million people every year. The symptoms are wide ranging, with some merely mildly irritating while others can be deeply unpleasant and exhausting, significantly affecting a person’s general day to day.
Some of the most common health symptoms sufferers will experience include a runny or blocked nose, loss of smell, coughing, sneezing, fatigue and tiredness, itchiness, headaches, sore eyes, and more.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for hay fever. People are advised to take antihistamines in a bid to stop the effects of the seasonal allergy, or make lifestyle changes like sleeping with the windows closed and not drying clothes outdoors, in order to help ease its effects.
The NHS states: “Symptoms are usually worse between late March and September, especially when it’s warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest.”
Many turn to social media on the quest for viable hacks, tips and expert advice on ways to help alleviate symptoms, with a wide range of videos pulling in millions of views on TikTok.
A range of companies also offer guidance and support to sufferers. One such brand is online mattress specialist OTTY Sleep, whose experts have warned your mattress could be a “hot spot” for lurking allergens exacerbating hay fever symptoms.
Founder of OTTY Sleep, Michal Szlas, advised following a cleaning routine and using specific products like a mattress protector to help keep hay fever more at bay.
Michal said: “A good mattress protector is your first line of defence against dust and allergens. It’s much easier to wash a protector than to deep clean a mattress.
“Look for protectors that are breathable, waterproof and machine washable. Changing or washing your protector regularly in high pollen seasons is a simple step that can make a big impact on symptoms.”
The expert also advises letting your mattress “breathe” by “stripping it back” to allow it to air out for a few hours each morning.
Szlas claims fresh air circulation removes airborne allergens trapped in mattress fibres and reduces humidity levels that dust mites thrive in. Proper airflow can also prevent mould spores and mildew from developing, which are “major allergy triggers that worsen hay fever symptoms and respiratory irritation”.
It’s also essential to vacuum your mattress to remove “dust, skin cells and allergens that build up over time”. It’s said that regular vacuuming can remove up to 95% of dust mites, pollen particles, and pet dander that trigger allergic reactions during sleep.
Rotating your mattress is another simple step to implement to try and help prevent dust mites and allergens from concentrating in one area of your mattress. This distribution reduces the density of hay fever triggers around your head and breathing zone, helping minimise night-time allergy symptoms.
Michal added: “We recommend rotating your mattress once a month for the first year, then every three months. Rotate your mattress 180 degrees so the head becomes the foot. If double-sided, flip it first. Regular rotation prevents dust mites and allergens from concentrating in one area of your mattress.”
