According to the aha! Swiss Allergy Centre, about a quarter of the Swiss population suffers from one or more allergies. The numbers have increased in recent years and the trend remains upward. Pollen allergy (hay fever) sufferers are most strongly represented, followed by allergies to house dust mites and animal hair.
After the last of the winter weather, many of us are delighted by the onset of spring weather and the prospect of summer. For pollen allergy sufferers, however, the next few weeks will be particularly critical. Following the extended cold period, many plants will start to flower at the same time, filling the air with pollen. As one of the afflicted, I can’t really look forward to the rising temperatures: my pollen allergy means a runny nose, constant sneezing, skin rash, coughing, itching and watering eyes (sometimes even sticky in the morning), accompanied by a constant feeling of breathlessness. And because I am constantly fighting the invisible enemy of pollen, I become exhausted quickly and always feel tired. Dust or animal hair, such as cat or dog hair, can even exacerbate these symptoms for me in certain situations.
What lots of people don't realise, however, is that we are also exposed to pollen indoors. We carry it from outside on our clothes and hair – even on our skin. The particles attach themselves to other textiles and furniture and are distributed throughout our home. Treatments prescribed by doctors, such as pills, eye drops or nasal sprays, offer a simple and quick relief of hay fever symptoms, but they haven't given me a long-term solution. Immunotherapy didn’t help me either.
Preventing symptoms is the most effective treatment for hay fever
I have had more success with preventing the symptoms than suppressing them with medication. The most effective – but also the hardest – is avoiding contact with pollen. That includes keeping your home, and particularly your bedroom, pollen free.
Some simple tips can help: ventilate in the morning and evening but otherwise keep the windows closed, vacuum daily, wash your hair in the evening, don’t undress in the bedroom and change your bed linen regularly. But what has helped me most, apart from regular and thorough cleaning of my apartment, is the use of an air purifier.
The super hero for my allergy symptoms: an air purifier at home
When I bought the Roger air purifier from Stadler Form, my expectations were not that high; I just didn't want to be disappointed. It has been a really worthwhile purchase, however, and my quality of life during the pollen season has improved dramatically. As well as pollen, the air purifier also filters out fine dust, animal hair, excretions from house dust mites, viruses, bacteria and unpleasant odours, improving the air quality. Since using Roger, I've been able to reduce my allergy symptoms to a minimum at home. I wake up in the morning and can open my eyes normally, smell properly and feel well rested. Since I've been using Roger at home, I've been mostly able to function hay fever-free within my own four walls.
Roger has improved my well-being and quality of life during the pollen season; he's the best roommate I could wish for – a true superhero!
Thank you very much to Christina for this interesting experience report on air purifier Roger!
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