It’s been a miserable wet and cold April but the sun is finally coming back and it means for sufferers of two key health conditions, the worst time of year is just beginning.
People who battle hayfever spend every sunny day trying anything and everything to make the pain go away, including rafts of antihistamines, sprays and life hacks to try to keep the pollen at bay, and hayfever can also have a knock-on effect on asthma.
But a bed firm, MattressNextDay, has spoken out about one surprising lifestyle choice that can actually make your condition worse.
Martin Seeley, CEO, says making your bed as soon as you wake up is not necessarily a good idea.
He said: “Contrary to popular belief, an unmade bed is less susceptible to trapping pollen and dust mites, those tiny creatures that can trigger a range of health issues, including asthma and allergies.
“Many studies show that unventilated bedding, caused by making your bed immediately, can create an environment that leads to higher concentrations of dust mites and their allergic proteins as reported in many studies.
“Moreover, natural sunlight can play a role in preventing the accumulation of dust mites. Allowing your bedding to remain unmade for a while gives it exposure to natural sunlight. Sunlight has disinfectant properties and can help kill some bacteria and mites, further reducing potential health risks.”
Martin said drying bedding outside is also something to avoid because pollen in the air can stick to your sheets and get brought back into your house and into your bed.
You should also hoover your mattress every time you change bedding, which removes pollen that may be invisible to the naked eye.
Finally, opening windows might seem like it’s counterproductive if you’re battling pollen, circulating the air can actually help clear pollen out of a room that would otherwise creep in through cracks and gaps and on clothes and then stay stuck in the air, tormenting you.