Allergies are on the rise in India, with 22% of adolescents suffering from hay fever and over 34 million battling asthma. Climate change exacerbates the crisis by increasing pollen levels and prolonging allergy seasons. Pollen, a major trigger, affects 12–40% of people globally, with India’s peak pollen seasons causing severe symptoms in sensitive individuals. As pollen exposure continues to grow, so does the need for greater awareness, timely diagnosis, and effective management. Omer Ali, Dyson engineer shares key insights “If your flare-ups of constant sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, and an itchy throat can be tied to certain seasons of the year, you potentially have a pollen allergy or sensitivity. It is a common misconception that the pollen season falls in spring. However, depending on your location and climate, different plants thrive and pollinate during different seasons and for varying durations. Hence, pollen can still be present all year round.”
Pollen particles stuck to a strand of hair, seen under a microscope
Understanding your allergy triggers enables you to better anticipate flare-ups and take necessary precautions.
Anticipate allergy flare-ups
Beyond the seasons, temperature, time of day, humidity, and rain affect pollen counts. Many plants release pollen early in the morning and when the weather is sunny and warm – these conditions are when pollen counts are likely to soar. Avoiding outdoor activity when pollen counts are high goes a long way to reducing a flare-up of allergy symptoms.
According to the Dyson Global Dust Study, just 10% people think that pollen constitutes household dust. Pollen particles can stick to one’s hair, clothes, and even pets and be brought into the home.
The Dyson Global Dust Study reveals that 19% people wear their outdoor shoes in and around their homes while 50% of people do not change their clothes upon entering their homes.
Stick to a cleaning routine
While most people clean their homes regularly, it is important to vacuum beyond just the floors. Open windows mean airborne pollen can enter the home and stick to surfaces including window ledges and curtains. Soft furnishings, fabric covers, pillows, mattresses, sofas, and carpets amongst others can harbour pollen for months and impact one’s health and well-being even outside the peak pollen season.
Vacuuming different surfaces in the home with a particular focus on upholstery and other neglected spots in the home regularly goes a long way in minimizing your exposure to pollen in the home. However, the act of vacuuming may cause dust particles to become airborne and potentially inhaled. Vacuum cleaners with advanced filtration are essential to ensure that all the nasties in your vacuum, stay within your vacuum, rather than being expelled back into your home.
Dyson vacuum cleaners are engineered to remove both visible and invisible dust, ensuring a cleaner home. The V12s Detect Slim Submarine is designed to tackle allergens like pollen and pet dander, with whole-machine HEPA filtration, they trap 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, preventing dust from escaping back into the air. Its Fluffy Optic™ cleaner head reveals 2x fine particles and pollen on hard floors.
While keeping indoor spaces clean is key to reducing exposure to pollen allergens, airborne particles can still linger, impacting air quality and triggering allergies. For airborne allergens like pollen, Dyson’s air purifiers provide an additional layer of protection. It features HEPA H13 filtration, capturing 99.95% of particles as small as 0.1 microns, including pollen. Its formaldehyde-destroying catalytic filter continuously breaks down formaldehyde, while Air Multiplier™ technology ensures whole-room purification for a cleaner indoor environment.
