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Use the air conditioner in recirculation mode.
The recirculation mode allows you to keep the already purified air in the cabin without letting in new air from outside — including dust, pollen, fungal spores and poplar fluff. For example, in spring, when you start the engine and switch on the air conditioning in the standard mode, the air from outside is immediately drawn in — along with all the allergens. Just a few minutes is enough to trigger sneezing, itchy eyes, or even an asthma flare-up. In addition, you should make sure that the cabin filter in your car is in good condition and is changed regularly, otherwise even recirculation will not save you. This simple habit of switching the air mode in the cabin can significantly improve the quality of life during allergy season. This is especially true in urban environments, where pollen mixes with exhaust fumes, and every breath becomes a challenge for sensitive people.
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Clean dust from your car’s interior regularly.
Even though the car cabin feels like a closed space, dust builds up constantly — from clothing, shoes, open windows, and the ventilation system. Without regular cleaning, dust settles on dashboards, seats, floor mats, seat belts — everywhere you touch daily. What’s more dangerous is the fine dust you can’t even see. It stirs up while driving, gets into your lungs, and can trigger sneezing, watery eyes, irritation, or asthma symptoms. If the cabin stays dirty long enough, dust mites can begin to breed in fabric seats and upholstery. To stay ahead of this, clean your car at least once a week. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to avoid blowing dust back into the air, microfiber cloths for surfaces, and fragrance-free, non-toxic cleaning products. Pay extra attention to commonly missed areas — air vents, between and under seats, floor mats, and headrests. For extra protection, use anti-allergen sprays designed to neutralize allergen proteins rather than just mask smells.
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Wash your car more often — especially the body and windows.
During peak allergy season, when pollen, dust, and fluff fill the air, your car’s exterior becomes the first surface where allergens settle. And the longer they stay there, the more likely they’ll be carried inside — on your hands, through open windows or doors. Focus on high-contact areas like door handles, window frames, the windshield, and trunk. These are the spots you touch most — and can unknowingly transfer allergens to your face, eyes, and respiratory system. In hot or windy weather, pollen can even lift off the surface and enter the cabin, even with closed windows. If possible, wash your car once or twice a week during peak allergy periods, especially after driving out of town, where pollen levels are often higher. If you can’t do a full wash, it’s enough to at least regularly wipe handles, mirrors, windows and other contact areas with a damp cloth or microfibre. Don’t forget about the wipers: they also accumulate pollen, and every movement on the glass can spray allergens directly into your face.
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Always keep your medication and inhaler within reach.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies or asthma, one of the most important safety tips while driving is to always have your antihistamines and inhaler easily accessible. Even if the symptoms don’t usually bother you in everyday life, the situation can change suddenly when you’re driving: a sudden attack of sneezing, watery eyes or choking can be caused by pollen that has entered the cabin or a clogged ventilation filter. Imagine you’re driving on the highway or stuck in traffic when sneezing fits or nasal congestion suddenly start. This not only causes discomfort but also reduces concentration, making driving potentially dangerous. That’s why having your medication close at hand isn’t just a matter of comfort, but of road safety. Prepare a small emergency kit in advance: you can include antihistamines (such as Allegra, Cetcip), eye drops (like Clearine Eye Drop), or a nasal spray (such as Alanase Nasal Spray or Butacort 100 Nasal Spray). If you have asthma, make sure your inhaler is always easily accessible — for example, keep it in the glove compartment or a door pocket, not buried deep in your bag.
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Avoid using air fresheners.
Car air fresheners may seem like a pleasant detail that adds a sense of freshness to the cabin, but for people with allergies, they often become a source of discomfort. Most popular types contain synthetic compounds that easily evaporate and fill the air with chemicals. In the enclosed space of a car, the concentration of these substances can become much higher, which may lead to headaches, dizziness, respiratory irritation, coughing, or even trigger asthma symptoms. In a closed car, the concentration of these substances is much higher than in a ventilated room, so even a light smell that seems ‘fresh’ can cause discomfort. If giving up air fresheners completely is difficult, opt for hypoallergenic, fragrance-free products designed specifically for allergy sufferers — or at least test any new scent during a short drive before regular use.
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Always keep a bottle of water and tissues in the car.
Having a simple bottle of water and tissues in the car may seem like a small thing — but for allergy sufferers, it’s a must. Even mild symptoms like throat dryness, sneezing, or eye irritation can be distracting and uncomfortable while driving. A few sips of water can quickly soothe the throat, reduce irritation, and make breathing feel easier — especially during pollen season or on dry, dusty days. Water is a quick, medication-free way to manage sudden symptoms on the go. Paper or wet wipes can be just as useful. They come in handy if you experience sudden watery eyes, a runny nose, or need to clean your hands after coming into contact with pollen — for example, after getting into the car following a walk. The neutral or odourless wet wipes can also be used for a quick anti-allergenic treatment of the steering wheel, handles or dashboard — particularly useful for dust-sensitive drivers. Keep the water bottle in a convenient place such as the cup holder or door recess and the wipes in the glove compartment or seat pocket.