These practical tips and suggestions will help you survive allergy season in the Cape.
Thanks to a wet winter, the Cape is facing a bumper pollen season. Levels of grass, tree pollen and airborne mould spores are set to peak from October.
Different plants and trees release pollen at different times of year, and for an unlucky few, hay fever is an issue almost year-round. However, there’s no denying that spring is an especially rough season!
Monitor pollen counts in Cape Town
A team of UCT scientists has come up with a reliable online resource, The Real Pollen Count, featuring current pollen counts in Cape Town and other South African cities.
Allergy sufferers can use the data published in the weekly reports to track when pollen counts are especially high and which plants are responsible for the current peak. Then take extra precautions during peak pollen times.
Consider medical treatment for hay fever
Treatments for allergic rhinitis (the medical term for hay fever) vary according to the severity of the symptoms. In mild cases, home remedies may be effective against a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion and sneezing.
Get the best information about hay fever remedies
It’s advisable to consult a doctor experienced in treating allergies for the best treatments.
A number of reputable sources online also offer information about the diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis.
Two examples are the NHS resource on allergic rhinitis and this Healthline article.
An interesting “crowdsourced” platform – StuffThatWorks – may offer further useful tips on what hay fever treatments work the best. The platform gathers feedback from a very large number of patients about the treatments they find the best for specific health conditions. It includes an allergic rhinitis group.
Typical medical treatments for hayfever
Over-the-counter antihistamine tablets and sprays can relieve or at least reduce a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion and sneezing. They tend to be most effective if taken regularly from up to four weeks before the pollen season starts.
Anti-allergy eye drops, saline nasal sprays and decongestants can also help fight the symptoms.
For more serious hay fever, a doctor may prescribe corticosteroids. Oral steroids can be used daily for about five days to clear a severely blocked nose, and nasal steroids can be used to reduce nasal inflammation and congestion.
Reduce exposure to pollen and other allergens
Lowering your exposure to allergens and pollen can dampen the severity of allergic rhinitis.
During peak pollen season, it’s preferable to stay indoors during mid-morning and early evening, when the pollen count is at its highest. When possible, also stay indoors during dry, windy weather over the Cape’s peak pollen season.
If you do go outside for an extended period, shower and change your clothing immediately afterwards to prevent pollen from being transferred into your house. Close car windows when the pollen count is high and use the air conditioner to filter the air.
If your symptoms are bad, it can also helpful to wear a simple face mask. Even indoors, doing this for short periods may provide surprisingly rapid relief.
Some other ways to reduce exposure to pollen, mould spores and other allergens:
- install extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom
- use a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filters
- close doors and windows when pollen counts are high
- avoid trimming hedges, raking leaves or mowing lawns
- cover the mouth and nose when dusting and cleaning
- tumble-dry washing instead of hanging it outside
- invest in a dehumidifier for damp areas in your home
- when possible, stay indoors during dry, windy weather.
When planning a garden, know which plants cause allergies in Cape Town
In the Cape, common grasses, weeds and alien trees, like oaks, plane trees and olive trees, produce what’s known as “allergenic” pollen that can trigger hay fever.
Generally, indigenous plants, like Cape fynbos, are not allergy-inducing. Exceptions are plants belonging to the Erica and restio families.
Winter grass, buffalo, kikuyu and rye grass release billions of airborne pollen grains – a red flag for allergy sufferers.
Daisies, dandelion and English plantain are common weeds that produce potent allergens.
The white stinkwood and rhus are the only endemic trees in Cape Town that are associated with allergic rhinitis.
Cleaning during allergy season
During peak allergy season, regular, thorough cleaning can reduce the presence of allergens in your home. This isn’t foolproof, but it is one mode of attack in the war on hay fever!
Frequently wash your bedding, clean soft furnishings and curtains and vacuum carpets to remove allergens that have become embedded in the fibres. Also mops floors with water or diluted detergent – this will remove more dust and other allergens than dry sweeping.
To avoid making your symptoms worse, wear a dust mask and using cleaning techniques that don’t agitate dust, pollen and allergens.
Better still, recruit our professional team at Chelsea Cleaning to sanitise and deep clean your home!
Our steam-cleaning process is one of the most effective ways of eliminating mould and pollen spores without dispersing them in the air.
