Sometimes it feels like the air is out to get us. (Particularly during a global pandemic, but let’s just forget about that for now.) If you can rattle off all the best antihistamines, your eyes start running at the mere mention of a picnic and the idea of ‘stopping to smell the roses’ makes you break out in hives, good news: there are plenty of ways to relieve hay fever that you probably haven’t considered before. And not one of them involves sticking pokey things up your nostrils! Score.

Vaseline

Life hack: pollen can’t turn your nostrils into two itchy caves if it can’t get in there in the first place. So go on, smear Vaseline around the entrance to your nose and wait for those sneeze-inducing particles to get stuck in the goopy barricade. As a bonus, petroleum jelly is very soothing for a sore, dry schnoz.

Kissing

This is a real thing! Promise! Not just a line we use at outdoor bars! People in Japan have done a bunch of research, and apparently 30 minutes of solid snogging can help reduce the symptoms of hay fever. Why? Because smooching makes us super relaxed and slows the production of histamine, aka the chemical that fights allergens and causes those annoying, itchy symptoms. So pash on, pals.

Honey

Ever noticed that you never catch bears in the middle of a sneezing fit? The only possible reason for this is that they love to stuff their faces with honey. You see, locally produced honey is full of pollen from the plants that trigger your seasonal allergies, and apparently a couple of spoonfuls each day will take the edge off their effects. Like a delicious vaccine you can spread on your toast.

Steam

Well, at least standing over a steaming sink full of dishes is good for one thing. A cloud of warm vapour can unclog your sinuses and help trapped allergens escape. (Pro tip: add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the mix for a little extra zing.)

Herbal tea

Tea is like a warm hug for a scratchy throat, but depending on your chosen brew it could have other benefits, too. Drink chamomile for its anti-inflammatory powers, green tea for ditching histamine and ginger for loosening the gross stuff that builds up and makes you cough. Peppermint is also great for hay fever, as it breaks down nasal congestion.

Shaving

Bad news for dudes with luscious facial hair. That bushy mo’ is basically a big old allergen trap, and it’s sitting in the very worst spot possible: directly between your mouth and your nostrils. You could go all in and shave it off during the times of year when your allergies play up, or at the very least, regular soapy washes can help.

Chilli

Spicy food isn’t for everyone. We can personally attest to that. But it turns out chilli is a bit of a hay fever-fighting double-whammy. For one, a burning tongue is a great distraction from itchy eyes - plus hot peppers contain capsaicin, which can reduce decongestion. They also make your eyes and nose run like crazy, which flushes out all the bad stuff. Just don’t forget your tissues.

Speaking of tissues (why yes, that was an excellent segue), did you know we stock them alongside our sustainable TP? They’re made from 100% bamboo so they’re super soft and strong. Great back-up if your hay fever’s still sticking around, even after you’ve shaved your moustache, spent some time making out and inhaled the steam from a honey-infused cup of tea.