Got a green thumb? Here’s why houseplants could be triggering your allergies

11th May 2022

Got a green thumb? Here’s why houseplants could be triggering your allergies

Houseplants are having a real moment right now. They’re popping up in homes, restaurants, and shops across the globe. Gone are the days of spending time outside tending to your vegetable patch. Instead, it’s all about misting your monstera and propagating your pothos. In fact, the average Briton will spend £300 a year on houseplants. 

And for the millions of allergy sufferers across the globe, indoor houseplants can seem a pretty safe trend. It’s easy enough to avoid any plants with flowers or pollen that could cause you grief. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple…

Could I be allergic to my houseplants?

The short answer is yes, you might be. But not for the reasons you think.

Your plants themselves are less likely to be the culprit. Unless they sneakily do contain pollen that’s triggering your hay fever, or you’re coming into direct contact with a sap your sensitive skin disagrees with. But the more likely reason you’re reacting to your plants is because of mould or dust.

Mould thrives in damp environments. And this makes the soil of your plants a perfect breeding ground. It can show up on top of the soil, dead leaves, or the outside of pots. With any slight disruption to the soil or pot, mould spores are released into the air, and you can quickly find yourself sneezing, coughing, and itching. Or experiencing many other common allergy symptoms.

Having houseplants also increases the general humidity of your home. And this can result in more black mould showing up – such as in the kitchen or bathroom – and more spores being released into the air. 

What about dust?

If you don’t think mould is the culprit, try inspecting your plants a little more closely. While dusting your furniture is fairly common practice, dusting your plant leaves can seem a little extreme. And tedious.

But as they’re sitting out in the open undisturbed, your plants will be accumulating dust. And when there’s a slight breeze, those dust particles float up into the air. So you may find yourself suffering the very same symptoms we listed above. 

Is there a solution?

The good news is you don’t have to rehome your plants unless you want to. With the right measures in place, there’s no reason you can’t live in perfect harmony.

Certain pots and potting materials will be better for increasing evaporation and minimising damp in your plants. Where possible, opt for high-quality potting soil as this has better drainage. And avoid terracotta pots as this material pulls moisture out of the soil and onto the outside of the pot – where mould can then develop. 

You also want to avoid over-watering. Soggy soil is mould’s best friend, so err on the side of caution. If they’re getting a little damp, you can also give your plants some time in direct sunlight to dry out. And finally, you want to get into the habit of wiping down the leaves on a regular basis.

It’s easy to get attached to your plants. But this makes it harder to admit they could be the reason you’re suffering. A quick allergy test will confirm whether they’re actually the cause. And by switching up a few materials and habits, you can quickly get back to feeling your best.

For extra support navigating your allergies, get in touch with us. Sign up as a new patient or reach out on 02031 433 449.

Your springtime guide to pollen and hay fever

23rd March 2022

Your springtime guide to pollen and hay fever

We recently talked about seasonal allergies and how they seem to be coming earlier and lasting longer. We’re well into March now, so some people will be starting to notice those telltale signs. A runny nose. Itchy eyes. Scratchy throat. Yep, hay fever season is here.

But you don’t have to suffer in silence. Here’s our springtime guide for dealing with your hay fever and pollen allergies, and what you can do to stop them in their tracks.

Symptoms to look out for

The problem with seasonal allergies happening earlier is that there’s overlap with winter illnesses such as a cold or the flu. Along with something like coronavirus. So some people might not realise it’s actually their hay fever acting up.

We all know the obvious symptoms:

• Runny, stuffy nose
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Scratchy throat or coughing

But there are some you might not realise are related to your allergy:

• Headaches, particularly around the temples (likely a sinus backup)
• Exhaustion
• Earache
• Loss of smell

Headaches, especially, are something we often attribute to something else. Not drinking enough water, not getting enough sleep – you get the idea. But you might want to pay attention to the kind of headaches you get. Do they feel like they come from a blockage? Are they more around the front of your head? If so, it could be hay fever and sinus-related.

How to minimise symptoms

There are steps you can take to keep your symptoms at bay. The issue is when pollen reaches you and causes a reaction. So you need to do what you can to keep the pollen away.

If you like to have your windows open, this could be making your symptoms worse, so keep them closed. Make a habit of checking the pollen counts too, so you know if it’s worth going outside. Speaking of outside, don’t dry your washing in the fresh air. Pollen can stick to it and you’ll bring it right into your house.

If you like going for walks, stay away from grassy, open spaces. If you live near the coast, consider going there. If not, stay in more urban areas. Especially if the grass near your favourite walking spot has just been cut.

Preventative measures

There are other ways you could prevent hay fever from bothering you. Over-the-counter antihistamines are regularly used by people suffering, as are nasal sprays. Before you do this though, you might want to talk with your doctor.

They may have a better suggestion for helping you deal with your symptoms. It might also be the case that they recommend you don’t take over-the-counter medication. Always consult them before taking any medicine, just in case.

It’s always a rough time of year for people with hay fever, but don’t worry. Just follow these tips and you’ll avoid any unnecessary exposure to pollen. You won’t ever be 100% able to get rid of it, but at least you can minimise any aggravation.

Don’t let your hay fever get you down this spring. Talk to the experts at the London Allergy and Immunology Centre today. We can help you with any allergy woes. Sign up as a new patient or call us on 02031 433 449.

The do’s and don’ts of a pollen allergy

26th June 2019

The do’s and don’ts of a pollen allergy

Seasonal allergies can be a complete misery for those of us that suffer from them. But fear not! As the pollen count starts to get higher, there are things you can do to keep symptoms at bay, along with things you should definitely avoid doing that make them worse.

What to do

If you want to keep the blocked nose, watery eyes, and scratchy throat at bay, follow these tips:

• Do try to stay indoors when the pollen count or humidity is high. Windy days are also best avoided as dust and pollen are blown about much more than usual. A great way to keep track of this is by downloading a pollen counter or allergy app for your phone or tablet.
• Do stick with the medications prescribed by your allergist.
• Do wear sunglasses when you leave the house to stop pollen from making contact with your eyes and causing nasty itching.
• Do change your air filter in your air conditioning unit before each new season to remove pollen, dust, and mould stuck in the filter.
• Do work out in a gym while pollen levels are at their highest. If you must workout outside, the best time is in the afternoon when pollen levels are at their lowest.

What to not do

While we all want to enjoy summer, when you have a pollen allergy there are extra steps you need to take to make the most of the weather:

• Don’t open the windows of your house and car during peak pollen times. Stick with air conditioning where possible, as it cleans, cools, and dries the air.
• Don’t go over the recommended dosage to reduce your symptoms even more.
• Don’t over-water indoor plants. Other than potentially killing them, it also encourages mould growth you may be allergic to.
• Don’t stress. Well, at least try your best not to. Stress causes your cytokine (the protein we produce as part of the allergic response) levels to rise, which makes your allergy symptoms worse.
• Don’t let your pets in your room or on your bed. As much as we love our animal friends, they can carry pollen in their fur and make your symptoms worse.

There we have it. A few fantastic tips to help you control your symptoms as best as possible so you can enjoy your summer!

If you need help understanding your allergies, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with The London Allergy and Immunology Centre. Our specialist consultants can help you find the best treatments to make sure your allergies don’t take their toll on your daily life. Give us a call on 02 031 433 449 today.