Are you constantly sneezing or coughing these days, especially in the evening or at night? Your allergy has probably flared up. Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of True Medical, explains why this detail may be the cause of your nighttime discomfort.
Hair, real pollen traps
We often think about wiping our feet or changing clothes, but we forget that our hair is on the front line against external particles. For Dr Kierzek, the observation is clear.
“Washing (or at least rinsing) your hair in the evening is especially useful during periods of respiratory allergies, because hair is a real “pollen trap” which maintains exposure during the night.
Indeed, throughout the day, pollen and pollution accumulate in the hair fiber. Once your head is placed on the pillow, these allergens are deposited on the pillowcase, increasing the particle load in the immediate vicinity of your respiratory tract. Result: worsening of rhinitis, conjunctivitis or nighttime cough.
The objective: to reduce the pollen load at home
To clean up your sleeping environment, a few reflexes are essential:
- The evening shower: Systematic rinsing of hair at the end of the day drastically reduces exposure;
- Drying laundry: Avoid drying your sheets outside so as not to bring new allergens into your bed;
- Undressing: Remove your daytime clothes outside the bedroom so as not to scatter dust there.
Should you shampoo every day?
If rinsing is recommended, be careful not to overwash. Shampooing daily can be counterproductive for the health of your scalp. As Dr. Kierzek points out, “daily shampoo is not recommended as a routine, because it eliminates protective sebum, dries the scalp and fibers, and weakens the hair..
Recommendations according to your hair type
Dermatologists generally recommend more spaced frequencies:
- Oily or fine hair: shampoo every 2 to 3 days;
- Dry, curly or frizzy hair: once a week, or even every 10 to 15 days;
- Treated hair (bleaching, straightening): less than once a week.
The solution: rinsing with water alone
The nuance is crucial: you don’t need to strip your hair every evening to eliminate allergens. “During periods of pollen or pollution, rinsing with lukewarm water in the evening already eliminates a large part of the allergens and particles, without chemical attack.
If you have a very oily scalp, maintain your usual washing frequency and stick to rinsing with clean water the other evenings.
How to limit damage in case of frequent washing?
If your allergy is severe and requires more regular washing, take these precautions:
- Choose an ultra-gentle shampoo: Without aggressive sulfates and fragrance;
- Be light-handed: A small amount of product is enough, to be applied to the scalp only, without rubbing the lengths;
- Gentleness above all: Use lukewarm water and limit brushing on wet hair.
When to adopt this routine?
There is no need to commit to this discipline all year round. This gesture is mainly useful during the pollen season, which generally extends from early spring to late summer.
“Once the season has passed, you can return to your minimum comfortable washing frequency. In case of redness, scales or persistent itching, do not hesitate to consult a dermatologist to adjust your skincare routine” concludes our expert.