What are the best tissues for hay fever?

We’re relentless optimists at Naked Sprout, and this year we’re (still) hoping for a warm, pleasant summer. But blue skies, breezy days, and plenty of time outdoors can come bundled with a less welcome seasonal visitor.

Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is a common condition that many of us in the UK know all too well. If you’re a sufferer you’ll know the symptoms: itchy eyes, runny nose, and that relentless sneezing that accompanies high pollen days.

As Eddie Cochran sang, there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues, But there are a few simple at-home strategies and remedies that can help, and that’s what we’re looking at today! Tissues at the ready? Let’s step outside.

What causes hay fever?
Hay fever is triggered by an allergic reaction to pollen, the fine powder released by plants as part of their reproductive cycle. Pollen is the basis of plant life for almost all flowering plants, so we have pollen to thank for the beautiful blooms and wildflowers of summer. But for those of us with hay fever, pollen can turn a beautiful day into a sneeze fest.

The culprits: types of pollen
There are three main types of pollen that can cause hayfever in the UK:

Tree pollen (spring to summer): Tree pollen is usually the first type to hit. Typically the tree pollen season in the UK would last from March until May, but the effects of climate change mean that we are starting to see higher levels of tree pollen starting as early as February and lasting until June. Common trees that release allergenic pollen include birch, oak, and hazel.

Grass pollen (summer): The most common trigger for hay fever, grass pollen season typically runs from May to July. If your sneezing and wheezing is particularly bad at the height of summer, it’s probably the grass pollen you’re reacting to.

Weed pollen (summer to autumn): Weeds like stinging nettles and ragweed grow like, well, weeds from late June through September. Standing tall in field, hedgerows, and on the sides of roads and pavements, and shedding pollen from high summer well into autumn, they keep the hay fever season going.

Simple remedies to try at home
With all the power of nature behind it, hay fever is a force to be reckoned with. Fortunately for us who suffer there are a few home remedies that can help to ease the sneeze.

1. Local honey
Some people swear by local honey as a natural remedy for hay fever. The idea is that consuming honey produced by bees in your area can help your body get used to local pollen. Sadly, the evidence for this is patchy, but honey is soothing to sore throats anyway, so it's not going to hurt! In Brighton we’re lucky enough to have a dedicated honey shop in our wonderful Open Market, and if you have a nearby farm shop or farmers market you’ll probably be able to track some down there. 

2. Herbal teas
Herbal teas like peppermint or chamomile can help soothe irritated sinuses and throats. They’re also a great way to stay hydrated, which is essential when your body is producing mucus and dealing with allergens. Our team member Rosie swears by a combination of lemon, local honey, and sage leaves mixed with boiling water. Sage is good for inflammation of the nose and throat, and the tea tastes good too!

3. Steam inhalation
While you’re filling the kettle for tea, consider making it a big one! Inhaling steam can help clear nasal congestion and soothe irritated sinuses. Boil some water, pour it into a bowl, and lean over it with a towel over your head to trap the steam. Breathe deeply for 5-10 minutes. For extra sinus clearing power you can add a few drops of an essential oil like eucalyptus, peppermint, or lavender.

4. Keep your home pollen free
If the pollen is particularly high it’s worth keeping your windows and doors closed to keep the air in your home as clean as possible. And if you need an extra layer of pollen protection consider showering and changing your clothes when you come in from outside, to remove any pollen that may have settled on you and stop it swirling around your house.

5. Wear sunglasses
Our last tip is a simple one! Wearing sunglasses outdoors can help protect your eyes from pollen. Wraparound styles offer the best protection, but all kinds of sunglasses will block form a barrier between your eyes and the pollen in the air.

The best tissues for hay fever
There’s some general ideas for keeping ahead of hay fever. Hopefully the tips above are keeping your symptoms down to a minimum, but unless you’re a die-hard handkerchief user, you’ll probably need some tissues in your summer toolkit as well.

When you’re feeling swollen and sniffly you need something soft, durable, and gentle on your nose. And if it’s eco-friendly, that’s a huge bonus. We think we have a pretty great tissue for the atishoo’s in our pocket here at Naked Sprout.

Our facial tissues are perfect for hay fever for two main reasons - they’re unbleached, and they’re bamboo.

They’re unbleached - published research suggests that the bleach in tissue products, which we already know comes with an environmental cost, isn’t particularly gentle on our skin either. If your nose is already red and sensitive from hay fever, bleached tissue is another possible source of irritation you don’t need.

They’re bamboo - Bamboo is naturally antibacterial and the fibres are strong and smooth, meaning they’re less likely to shed when you’re blowing your nose. They’re also excellent in pockets. Unlike our toilet rolls, which are designed to break down easily, our facial tissues hold up well with an accidental dunking. We often receive compliments on our facebook page from happy customers who have found tissues left in pockets stay in one piece in the washing machine!

And obviously while you’re thinking about the benefit to your symptoms its worth thinking about the benefit to the planet. By manufacturing without bleach, harsh chemicals, or fossil fuels, our tissues are a sustainable option for summer sneezes.

Conclusion
Dealing with hay fever can be a nuisance, but there’s a few strategies we can follow to help keep symptoms in check, and when all else fails there’s our sustainable unbleached bamboo facial tissues to help relieve the symptoms.

Everyone’s body reacts differently to allergens, so it might take some trial and error to find the perfect combination of natural remedies and products that will work for you. In the meantime, keep those tissues handy!

Want to treat your nose to a soft, smooth, unbleached tissue?