Some people wake up with a nice cup of tea, others love to get up and go for a run. Whether you’re slow to rise or an up and at ’em type of person, nobody wants to wake up with uncontrollable sneezing.
Not only is it a bit of a rude awakening, sneezing first thing in the morning can also come with a runny nose, stuffy sinuses and a dry throat.
(And no, sneezing isn’t 1/8th of an orgasm, so there’s no reason you’d want to wake up with the sniffles…)
Why do so many of us wake up sneezing and what can we do to prevent this?
What causes morning sneezing?
There are different reasons that are widely accepted to be a cause for morning sneeziness or scratchy throats.
For a start, pollen counts are often at their highest in the mornings. For people who are allergic to pollen, this can be a time when symptoms occur most strongly, resulting in repeated sneezing.
Another cause for early morning sneezing is attributed to a condition called allergic rhinitis.
More commonly known as hay fever, this condition is the response that our immune system gives when exposed to certain allergens and starts attacking them, leading to symptoms such as sneezing, dry eyes and a runny nose.
Common causes of allergic rhinitis are pollen from trees, grasses and weeds, however, there are many other causes that could be affecting you around your bedroom.
Dust mites, mould, wood dust, chemicals, animal dander (the loose skin cells of cat or dogs) could all be contributing towards your morning sneezes.
How to prevent allergens overnight
If you want to avoid the sniffles in the morning, identifying and removing potentially irritating allergens is the best option. To do this, try:
- Cleaning your house often to get rid of dust, animal dander and moulds.
- Thorough cleaning of your bedding.
- Bathing your pets regularly.
- If you know you suffer from pollen, try to keep your windows closed when pollen counts are higher.
- Try hypoallergenic bedding – certain natural materials are capable of repelling dust mites and fungal spores, keeping them away from your bedding, rather than trapping them in.
More proactive efforts could include putting petroleum jelly in your nose at night.
The petroleum jelly might be helpful in trapping dust mites or pollen so you don’t end up inhaling it.
Simply apply a thin coat of Vaseline or your preferred petroleum jelly around the rim of your nostrils. Don’t place the jelly too far up your nostrils.
You can also consider certain medicines if your allergens continue to affect you.
Over-the-counter antihistamines can help with many of the common symptoms. As per NHS advice, opt for a non-drowsy antihistamine as they’re less likely to make you feel sleepy.
But types that make you feel sleepy, such as chlorphenamine (including Piriton), hydroxyzine and promethazine – may be better to take in the evening if your symptoms stop you sleeping.
MORE : Tips for hay fever sufferers on how to keep your home pollen-free
MORE : Why your hay fever might be much worse after lockdown
Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share your views in the comments below.