Self-care advice

The best way to prevent allergies is to identify the source and avoid it where possible. This is quite difficult with an airborne allergen like pollen, but there are things that customers can do to limit their exposure, nevertheless:

• Keep windows and doors closed, particularly in the early evening when the pollen count is high
• Check the pollen count daily and stay indoors when it is high
• Avoid cutting grass
• Wear wrap-around sunglasses
• Apply a nasal barrier spray (e.g. Becodefence) to line the nasal passages, or a nasal barrier balm (e.g. HayMax) or petroleum jelly (e.g. Vaseline) around the nostrils to act as a pollen barrier.

For more information, you can:

• Use your Counter Intelligence Plus training guide
• Visit the NHS website: nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/
• Check up on the pollen forecast: metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/pollen-forecast
• Visit the Allergy UK website: allergyuk.org
• Consult ENT UK’s hayfever guide: entuk.org/hayfever