For immediate release
Could Drying Clothes Indoors Be Causing Your Sniffles?
A new study from Glasgow has found that drying washing indoors, which is much more common in
winter, can lead to more allergies. So the common cold may not be to blame for many people’s
seasonal sniffles, running nose and eyes, and sneezes.
The study, carried out by the Mackintosh School of Architecture in Glasgow, reports that many
homes had too much moisture indoors and that up to one third of it was due to drying clothes; 87%
of householders dried their washing indoors in colder weather. [1]
Three-quarters of the homes surveyed had moisture levels which could lead to dust mite growth,
whilst there was a strong link between drying laundry and mould spores. Dust mites can cause
higher levels of asthma and other airborne allergies, whilst mould spores can cause hayfever type
symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose and sore eyes.
In addition, dogs and especially cats tend to spend more time indoors during the cold winter
months, which can affect people who suffer from pet allergies even more than usual at this time.
A great way to help prevent symptoms for all these problems is to stop the allergens entering the
body in the first place. If enough of the dust, pet and mould allergens are prevented from entering
the body, no allergic reaction will occur.
The multi-award winning HayMax pollen barrier balms are proven to trap pet and house dust mite
allergens before they enter the body and are able to cause a reaction. [2]
HayMax is applied around the rim of the nostrils as soon as allergy symptoms start to appear – so
there’s no need to prepare days or weeks in advance – and for as long as allergens are in the air.
HayMax™ retails at £6.99 for a 5ml pot. HayMax™ is continuing its 3 for the price of 2 offer
exclusively to independent stores in 2013. The brand has national press and magazine advertising
and PR support; plus a range of free point of sale materials is available (including new counter
display units, shelf wobblers, leaflets and posters). More information is available from
www.haymax.biz, or by calling 01525 406600.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
References
[1] A study of 100 homes by the Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit in Glasgow,
funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. The research is the first to track
the implications of drying laundry passively inside the home. All of the types of housing surveyed
had a lack of suitable spaces for drying clothes.
[2] Chief Investigator: Professor Roy Kennedy, Principal Investigator: Louise Robertson, Researcher:
Dr Mary Lewis, National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, 1 st February 2012.
HayMax™ is proud to be Allergy UK’s official corporate hay fever partner.
Why do we get hayfever?
Hayfever is a result of our immune system’s overreaction to pollen. Too much pollen stimulates the
body’s mast cells, which then break or degranulate, releasing mediators that include histamines.
These mediators can cause many symptoms including the unpleasant itching, red eyes, runny nose,
sneezing, sore throat, and itchy roof of the mouth and ears associated with hayfever.
About HayMax™
HayMax™ is not a cure for hayfever, but by trapping pollen before it enters the body, it helps keep
the sufferer hayfever-free for longer. Hayfever is an allergic reaction to pollen. Each person can
tolerate a certain amount of pollen without reaction - their ‘trigger’ level - below which they suffer
no effects, but above that an allergic reaction occurs. And as long as HayMax™ keeps the sufferer
below their trigger level, they will have no allergic reaction.
It has gained no less than 12 awards, including a recent Platinum Award from Janey Lee Grace, a
Highly Commended in the Natural Lifestyle Awards, a gold award from bizziebaby.co.uk, the
‘Janey Loves’ logo, a nomination in the Vegetarian Society Awards 2010 and the Allergy Friendly
Product Award – which shows that products are beneficial for allergy sufferers based on consumer
opinion and approved by AllergyUK.
Further Information
If you require any further information about HayMax™, please contact:
Ian and Jenny Liddle, Excellart
Telephone: 01761 413022 email: zippy@excellart.co.uk website: www.excellart.co.uk
ENDS