Winter is drawing to a close and spring is around the corner. While most of us will be glad to pack away our scarfs and gloves and enjoy longer days and shorter nights, some Kiwis aren’t looking forward to the change of seasons. About a fifth of the population suffers from rhinitis, which is an allergic reaction to pollen. For this group of people, spring means sniffing, sneezing, headaches and itchy, watery eyes. Here’s why allergies get worse in spring and how, for homeowners in Auckland, heat pump maintenance can result in less seasonal discomfort.
Why Are Allergies Worse In Spring?
Pollen grains are tiny spheres that rely on the wind to transport them to flowering plants. It’s an imprecise process, and many grains will end up in the water, on barren soil and of course, in and around humans. Plants produce millions of grains in a season, and this is triggered by the temperature rising after winter ends. Each grain contains proteins to help plants identify them as a suitable match, and it’s these proteins that irritate mucous membranes in and around the mouth, nose, eyes and lungs. Our immune systems see these grains as potential invaders and trigger an allergic reaction in an attempt to rid the body of them.
How Can You Lessen Your Allergy Symptoms
The best way to avoid triggering a reaction is to avoid allergens altogether. Here’s how you can do that:
- Wear wraparound glasses when venturing outdoors to protect your eyes.
- If you exercise or run outside, avoid doing so between 6 am, and 12 pm as this is when the amount of pollen in the air is highest.
- Pollen levels are highest 10 metres or closer to the offending plant or tree. If you know you’re allergic to something on your property, have it removed if possible. Stick to planting native Australian plants as these typically produce little to no pollen.
- Avoid hanging clothes outside to dry as pollen frequently gets stuck in fabric fibres.
- Keep your lawn short and trimmed – but hire someone else to do it for you.
- Keep your windows closed at night.
- Use a heat pump to control your home’s air temperature.
- If your home has a heat pump, make sure you clean and replace its filters regularly as these keep dust, mould, allergens and odours from circulating in your home. If you haven’t had your heat pump maintained or looked at in a while, then contact a professional to do it.
Fonko can assist you with all your heat pump needs, be it maintenance, replacements or repairs. For assistance with keeping your Auckland heat pump functioning as it should and keeping your home allergy-free, contact us today,