With the Met Office forecasting very high pollen levels across the UK for the upcoming long weekend in April 2025, hay fever sufferers are bracing for challenging days ahead. To help alleviate symptoms, NHS GP Dr Zoe Williams has teamed up with leading B Corp air care brand Blueair to share practical advice tailored for those with asthma and allergies. As approximately 20% of the UK population grapples with hay fever, according to the Met Office, these tips aim to make springtime more bearable for millions.
Hay fever, triggered by pollen, can lead to sneezing, itchy eyes, and disrupted sleep, significantly affecting daily life. Dr Zoe Williams, a trusted voice in health, explains: “Hay fever can be a pain to deal with and makes it difficult to work, concentrate and generally enjoy day to day life during springtime. However, there are ways to reduce exposure to pollen and make life that little bit easier when the warm weather arrives.”
While outdoor air pollution often grabs headlines, indoor air can be up to five times more polluted, exacerbating symptoms for allergy sufferers. To combat this, Dr Williams shares actionable steps to create an allergy-friendly home environment.
Tips for improving indoor air quality
- Cleaning using a damp cloth or mop is especially helpful to remove pollen, but make sure to avoid harsh chemical cleaners that can irritate airways.
- Wash your bedding and towels regularly on a hot wash, in particular pillows, as pollen can cling to linens and continue to trigger allergies indoors.
- If you have animals, keeping them trimmed and well-groomed will lower the amounts of pet dander and the irritants they bring inside on their coats.
- Opting for sprays rather than aerosols as smaller particles in the air are known to trigger and inflame airways and lungs.
- Make sure to avoid burning things indoors too often: not just food, but candles and incense sticks can also create pollutants in the air.
- Shower after being outside to avoid prolonged exposure to outside irritants.
- Try using a high performing air purifier in the rooms where you spend the most time. This will reduce air pollution by trapping it in a filter.
A key recommendation from Dr Williams is the use of air purifiers to tackle indoor pollutants. “The best way to ensure the lowest air pollution possible indoors is to use an air purifier in the rooms where you spend the most time,” she says. Blueair’s range of air purifiers, designed specifically for those with asthma and allergies, captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.01 microns, including pollen, pet dander, dust, odours, and smoke.
Breathing clean air is vital for everyone but particularly for those with respiratory conditions. For asthma and allergy sufferers, cleaner air can reduce reliance on medication and improve quality of life. Blueair’s air purifiers, which have earned global recognition, undergo independent testing that confirms their effectiveness in removing allergens and pollutants, ensuring healthier indoor environments.
