Are You Allergic To The Sunshine State? The Kleenex Pollen Count Pal Can Help.

Ah Queensland, beautiful one day, hay fever challenged the next. The stunning, lush countryside in Australia’s most popular holiday destination, can play havoc with allergies.

Hay Fever affects over 15 % of Queenslanders. Pollen, which is the major cause of hay fever is not only caused by flowering plants but also by grasses, which are picked up by the wind and may spread even to the centre of the city.  According to experts, it’s these wind pollinated grasses and trees that may be playing havoc wth your wellbeing from many kilometres away.

While Rye Grass, is considered to be one of the major culprits for allergies, it’s the Sub-Tropical Grasses that thrive in Queensland, which are just as lethal when it comes to provoking hay fever symptoms. 

Unfortunately the issue is about to get worse even before the official hay fever season kicks off in October (It peaks from December to April).

Be Prepared For A Pollen Bomb

According to Professor Janet Davies of Queensland University of Technology's School of Health, grass pollen levels in Brisbane are currently 3.8 time up on the previous five year average.

“It looks to be in the order of three to five times the total grass pollen seasonal load than we've seen in any previous years recorded anywhere in Australia ever before," she said.

“In some ways, it's explainable by the fact that we know that it's a La Niña year, but our recent research suggests that rainfall is not the only driver for the levels of pollen in the air in Brisbane; temperature and particularly mean maximum monthly temperature is really important as well," Professor Davies said.

Brisbane Landmarks That Will Not Make Your Eyes Water

The city’s sacred Brisbane Cricket Ground -The Gabba is a green expanse of turf but hold the tissues as the low abrasion, 30mm Gabba synthetic grass is filled with soft shredded rubber suitable for all contact sports. You may still enjoy the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup from October 16 to November 12 without it playing havoc with your hay fever.

You could also mark the start of this October’s allergy season, by watching the play of lights at Brisbane’s Gallery Of Modern Art - The GOMA. James Turrell’s permanent architectural light installation Night Life 2018,  illuminates the Gallery of Modern Art from within. With shifts in tempo and vibrancy of the colours over 88 minutes, the artist invites us to consider how we’re affected by light, which really makes a soothing change.

Consider traversing the Story Bridge, which is around 1072 metres in length and stretches from Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point. Join in one of the twilight, daylight and night tours conducted there. It’s also an excellent way to exercise in the fresh air with few trees and grasses in your way.

However, while picnicking in a shady park is definitely out in allergy season, there’s no reason to throw out your Eskies. You may still enjoy a spread but one close to the water with  GoBoat’s electric picnic boats, which set sail along the Brisbane River The Danish-designed eight-seater, pet-friendly boats, crafted from recycled plastics and fibreglass, have a quiet electric engine and do not emit no pollution. Plus, you don’t need a boat license to pilot them and you can spread everything out on the picnic table on deck. Genius. Really there’s so much to await you in Brisbane this spring but always consult your Kleenex Pollen Pal before you venture out.

How To Know Whether Your Symptoms Are Due To Hay Fever?

Hay fever is caused by the nose and/or the eyes coming into contact with allergens in the environment such as pollens (grasses, weeds or trees), dust mites, moulds and animal hair.”

Symptoms may include a runny/itchy or congested nose, sneezing and itchy/watery eyes, headaches, ear aches and in some cases the onset of asthma ” according to he Australian Society of Clinical Immunology & Allergy  (ASCIA). Unlike colds these symptoms do not clear up if left untreated and may play havoc with your lifestyle  There’s also a few more key differences between symptoms: Colds may take one to three days to start after coming into contact with the virus and normally last for up to a week. Hay fever begins immediately after pollen exposure and continues until you’re no longer exposed to the allergens.

With The Kleenex Pollen Count Pal, Forewarned Is Forearmed. 

This valuable asset will alert you to any incoming pollen bombs in your area, so you may try and avoid exposure and that unwelcome bout of hay fever. It will also guide you through activities, which are safe for you when the pollen count is high. What this means, is that you never need walk out of your home without knowing exactly what awaits you in the morning air.

The Pollen Count Pal works in a straightforward way. Simply enter your post code to receive the pollen count levels and weather forecasts in your local area.

You will also received detailed information about the types of pollen you may expect each day for the next five days. And by clicking on the pollen type you will discover the breakdown of allergens to give you information on which pollen will play the most havoc with you This may include grass, tree and weed pollen levels to help you plan ahead for the next few days.

Building a Kleenex Hay Fever Profile

Your Pollen Tool includes a tracker which takes data from several sources to create a personalised pollen count just for you. This data comes from pollen traps across Queensland and beyond, taking into account the local weather on the day and the different kinds of vegetation around you.

Taking action

There’s several medications on the market for hay fever that are sold over the counter in the chemist and there’s also some simple precautions you may take including putting Vaseline around your nostrils to trap the pollen. You should also wear fashionable wrap-around sunglasses to stop pollen from getting into your eyes. Showering and changing your clothes, once you return home, also helps to wash the pollen away.

Exercising May Help

Some experts believe that people with hay fever who exercise the most have the mildest symptoms. Exercise also helps to reduce stress levels. The optimum is 150 minutes or two and a half hours of moderate intensity aerobic exercise including cycling and fast walking every week.

Surviving Spring

It’s one of the most beautiful times of the year, as Queensland blooms in vibrant colours. Accessing the Kleenex Pollen Count Pal means that you may plot the best way to enjoy yourself without suffering from hay fever symptoms. Then Queensland really will be, beautiful one day and you’ll feel pretty perfect the next.  (ends)