5 ways to reduce hay fever symptoms at home

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Last Updated On 15 April 2025
Written By Beth Porter

Spring is in the air – and unfortunately, so is pollen. While many look forward to longer days, blooming gardens and warmer weather, springtime also signals the start of allergy season for millions of people across the UK.

According to the Met Office, hay fever affects nearly 10 million people in England alone – that’s almost one in four adults and one in ten children – and the number continues to rise every year. If you or your family are among them, you’re probably all too familiar with the sneezing, itchy eyes and constant tissue-grabbing that comes with it.

With the right approach, you can take back control and ease the symptoms – all from the comfort of your own home.

As one of the UK’s leading air treatment specialists, Chris Michael, Director of Meaco, shares five practical ways to help reduce hay fever symptoms at home and improve your indoor air quality.

What is hay fever and what causes it?

Hay fever – also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis – is a reaction triggered by pollen from grasses, trees, and weeds. When these microscopic particles enter the body, the immune system sees them as a threat and releases histamines in response. This causes a variety of symptoms that can range from mild to seriously disruptive – especially when dealing with indoor allergies caused by dust, pollen, or mould trapped inside your home.

Common hay fever symptoms include:

Sneezing and coughing
Itchy, red, or watery eyes
A scratchy throat, itchy nose, mouth, or ears
Headaches, earaches, and fatigue
Worsening asthma symptoms such as wheezing and chest tightness

Grass pollen (active between May and July) is the most common culprit, but tree pollen (between Feb and June) and weed pollen (June to Sept) can also trigger symptoms.
There’s currently no cure for hay fever, but there are plenty of ways to manage the condition — especially if you start early and make some smart lifestyle changes.

1. Start medication early

Timing is everything. See your GP before hay fever season peaks (late March to September). Starting antihistamines, nasal sprays, or other treatments early can help prevent your immune system from overreacting to pollen.
Check out the NHS website for up-to-date recommendations on over-the-counter and prescription hay fever treatments.

2. Monitor the pollen forecast

Stay one step ahead by checking the Met Office pollen forecast, available up to five days in advance. Monitoring daily pollen levels helps you plan outdoor activities, take medication proactively, and stay indoors when counts are high.
Top tip: Download the Met Office app or enable alerts for real-time updates.

3. Deep clean your home

Spring clean your house early. Dust and dust mites increase the onset of hay fever and similar allergies, so reducing and regularly removing dust from your house in advance of the allergy season will ease the causes of allergies at home.

Tips to allergy-proof your home:

Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery regularly using a HEPA-filter vacuum
Wash bedding in hot water weekly
Use anti-allergy covers on mattresses and pillows
Keep windows closed during high pollen times (early morning and evening)

4. Be smart about laundry and clothing

When you get home after being outside, don’t let the pollen come in with you. Change out of your clothes straight away, as pollen loves to cling to fabrics and can easily transfer to your sofa, carpets, and bed. Even better, hop in the shower before bed to wash away any lingering pollen from your skin and hair – your sinuses (and your sheets) will thank you.

And as lovely as a fresh breeze-dried duvet sounds, hold off on drying clothes outdoors during high pollen days. All that airborne pollen will stick to your laundry like Velcro, only to sneak back inside and undo all your hard work.

5. Invest in a high performance air purifier

If you’re serious about tackling hay fever at home, an air purifier with a HEPA filter is one of the best tools you can add to your hay fever relief toolkit.

These devices work by pulling air through a series of filters, trapping pollen, dust, pet dander, and other airborne allergens before they can irritate your respiratory system. Pop one in your bedroom, and you might finally enjoy a sneeze-free night’s sleep.
But not all air purifiers are created equal. According to Meaco’s research, many people buy a unit that’s too small for their room, meaning it doesn’t clean the air effectively.

So how often should your air be cleaned?

3x per hour for mild allergies
5x per hour if you’re taking prescribed allergy medication
8x per hour for severe symptoms

To make that easier, Meaco has developed a next-generation air purification range:

MeacoClean CA-HEPA 47×5 Air Purifier

Perfect for bedrooms, home offices, or smaller living spaces, the CA-HEPA 47×5 combines compact size with impressive performance. Designed for rooms up to 78m³, it’s whisper-quiet at just 24 dB and costs as little as 1p per hour to run.

Standout features include:

Multi-stage filtration system including pre-filter, HEPA filter, activated charcoal, and UV with PCO to eliminate allergens, odours, and bacteria
Feather-touch controls and a filter replacement alert for hassle-free use
Energy efficient and ideal for overnight use in bedrooms

MeacoClean CA-HEPA 76×5 Wi-Fi Air Purifier

Need coverage for larger spaces or looking for smart features? The CA-HEPA 76×5 is Meaco’s most advanced model, suitable for rooms up to 126m³.

Why you’ll love it:

Wi-Fi connectivity: control via a smartphone app, compare indoor and outdoor pollen levels, and monitor air quality in real time
Laser sensor: automatically adjusts settings based on the air quality it detects
Optional H13 HEPA filter: for 99.97% particle removal – ideal for severe allergies or post-COVID air safety
Night mode, air quality light, child lock and timer for smart, user-friendly operation

Whether you want a compact unit for a small room or a smart solution for your whole home, Meaco’s air purifiers are designed with British households and allergy sufferers in mind.

Bonus tip: Choose allergy friendly plants for your home

Bringing nature indoors can boost mood, improve air quality, and add a calming touch to your space – but if you suffer from hay fever, you’ll want to be selective about which plants you welcome into your home.
Some houseplants can actually worsen allergy symptoms by releasing pollen or harbouring mould in their soil. But don’t worry – there are plenty of beautiful, low-allergen options that are safer for sensitive sinuses.

Allergy-friendly indoor plants to consider:

Spider plant – Low-maintenance and great at removing airborne toxins
Peace lily – Helps filter the air and produces very little pollen
Areca palm – Adds a tropical feel and acts as a natural humidifier
Snake plant (Sansevieria) – Excellent air purifier and virtually pollen-free
Bamboo palm – A stylish plant that removes airborne allergens

Plants to avoid if you’re allergy-prone:

Ficus (Weeping fig) – Common allergen and can irritate sensitive skin
Fern varieties – Can release spores and trigger symptoms
Flowering plants like lilies or chrysanthemums – Often high in pollen

Also, keep an eye on soil moisture — overly damp soil can lead to mould growth, which is a common trigger for allergy sufferers. Use a potting mix with good drainage, and avoid overwatering.

Choosing the right plants allows you to enjoy the benefits of greenery without aggravating your hay fever — proving you can still enjoy nature, even during allergy season.

Enjoy spring again

Hay fever can turn a beautiful time of year into a real struggle. But with a few proactive steps – from early treatment and daily pollen checks, to home cleaning and air purification – you can take control of your environment and dramatically reduce your symptoms.

Start with the basics, build good habits, and consider investing in technology that works quietly in the background to protect your air and wellbeing.

Breathe easier. Sleep better. Enjoy spring again.