DRIVERS have been urged to take an easy £6.50 car cleaning job to beat hayfever in just minutes this summer.
Almost half of all Brits suffer from the allergy, which can be seriously dangerous for the millions climbing behind the wheel this summer.
According to the experts at Vertu Motors, a single sneeze at motorway speed can cause you to take your eyes off the road for up to 103 meters.
That’s more than the entirety of the average stopping distance from 70mph based on RAC research, meaning it could be the difference between a nasty crash and a lucky escape.
And since the Met Office is predicted “very high” pollen levels well into the weekend as Britain basks in 30C heat, the team at Vertu shared some top tips to “pollen proof” your motor in the warmer months.
These included the revelation that cleaning the outside of your car can actually help prevent pollen from circulating inside the cabin.
The experts said: “Don’t just focus on your car’s interior – pollen will stick to the outside of your car and can find its way inside if not addressed.
Analyse your symptoms and find the best medication kit for you…
Antihistamines
Antihistamines (cetirizine or loratadine) work by blocking histamine in the body, which is released when the body detects something it thinks is harmful.
Histamine causes blood vessels to expand and the skin to swell, but in people with hay fever, also causes an allergic reaction. That’s the watering eyes, blocked nose, rashes and so on.
Max Wiseberg, airborne allergens expert and creator of HayMax, says that many antihistamines are available on prescription, such as Telfast, which you can see your GP for or get through an online doctor, such as LloydsPharmacy.
Telfast, and other prescription-only antihistamine tablets, work in the same way as over-the-counter antihistamines, but are stronger and intended to help with more severe symptoms.
“Get your prescription in advance of the season so you have your medication in time to start taking it at the right time,” he says.
“Some are best taken at least one month before the hay fever season starts.”
Nasal sprays
A nasal spray can be effective in controlling congestion and stuffiness.
Pharmacists can advise on nasal sprays (sodium cromoglicate, ipratropium bromide or decongestant), and eye drops, too.
Nasal sprays can also help with other symptoms of hay fever “because the medicine is targeted directly to the nose, which is where the vast majority of allergens enter the body”, Max says.
Independent pharmacist Rita Ghelani says: “Try Xlear nasal spray, which contains xylitol, and has anti-bacterial properties and keeps the nasal lining moist.
“If symptoms are more severe, then try an anti-inflammatory nasal spray – sometimes referred to as a steroid nasal spray – which can take a few days to work.
“Start with one that contains beclomethasone, which is used twice a day, in the morning and at night.”
Rita also advises cleaning the nose with a saline nasal spray before a steroid spray, saying: “It will remove sticky mucus from the nasal passage, thus improving the effectiveness of the medication.”
Eye drops
If itchy eyes are your primary concern, Rita says: “Try using sodium cromoglicate eye drops.
“These make the eyes less sensitive to allergens such as pollen and reduce irritation.
“They need to be used four times a day to keep the levels of the active ingredient high enough to be effective.
“Keep using them even if symptoms improve.
“Using a good eye drop to lubricate the eyes may also help with dry eyes during the summer months.”
“During the summer months, you should try to wash your car at least once a week to prevent pollen build-up.”
A car wash costs an average of £6.50, according to data firm NimbleFins, and can be found at many petrol stations across the country.
It only takes a couple of minutes to get your motor squeaky clean and free of pollen.
Plus it has the added benefit of cleaning out the air intake vent, usually found just under the windscreen, to prevent air thick with pollen particles from being sucked into the cabin when you turn on the air con.
If you don’t want to shell out any cash, you can always do this at home with a bucket of water, a sponge and a hose.
But a car wash is generally best if you’re very sensitive to pollen as it is more effective, as well as being quicker and easier.
The Vertu team also recommended a preventative trick to protect your car over a longer period.
They added: “Waxing your car a couple times a month creates a slick surface that’s harder for pollen to stick to.
“Because of this, waxing your car may mean you need to wash it less often as well.”
It comes after a lawyer explained how a little-known MOT loophole could mean you have to take the test three times – or face a £2,500 fine and a driving ban.
