Suffering from hay fever is a nightmare for an increasing number of people as allergies, in general, are on the rise.

British summertime, with its high pollen count, poses a particularly challenging season for those with airborne allergies, exacerbating the severity of their symptoms.

While many hay fever sufferers take preventive measures, it’s important to note that some of these methods can paradoxically exacerbate the symptoms.

Breathe easy

According to the motoring team at Dick Lovett, your car’s air conditioning (AC) functions can be confusing.

Even experienced drivers can be unsure when to use the car air recirculation button or the outside air function.

The outside air function of the driver’s car AC works by pulling in fresh air from outside the vehicle, but hay fever sufferers should reconsider using this.

Instead, they recommend drivers with hay fever should use the internal air recirculation.

This function ensures they’re not pulling in pollen particles from outside their vehicles, wreaking havoc with running eyes and stuffy noses.

However, the AC should be used appropriately for convenience, safety and comfort.

To ensure drivers always use the best AC function for their circumstances, here are some fool-proof examples of exactly how and when to use the internal vs. external air function.

Hay fever and heatwaves

When driving in summer, it’s recommended that you use the internal air recirculation button to prevent cool air from escaping and let hot air in.

Similarly, hay fever sufferers should consider using the internal air recirculation buttons to ensure they’re not pulling in pollen particles from outside their vehicles.

However, if drivers get into their cars after they’ve been in the sun for some time, it’s recommended that they use the external air function first to bring in new, fresh air.

As often reported, the materials inside our cars can become slightly toxic in hot weather conditions.

This is because our car interiors are made with chemicals; sometimes, these chemical compounds will be released when our interiors get used (i.e., sitting on the seats or pressing any dashboard buttons).

When cars are left sitting in the sun, the rate at which these materials release toxins exacerbates, pushing chemicals, such as formaldehyde – a preservative – into the air.

If this air isn’t expelled, some drivers could experience mild nausea or headaches, so getting some fresh air into the car before setting off is crucial.

Rain

The unpredictable British weather means that we’re often driving from tree-splitting sunshine to monsoon-like rain, which can quickly wreak havoc on our windscreens, causing them to fog up.

When driving in the rain, drivers should turn on the A/C and click the external air function. They’ll then want to switch their A/C unit to the windscreen function (this symbol is usually three wavy upwards-pointing arrows within a rectangle), triggering the vents at the base of the windshield to help clear any fog.

Our windscreens fog up when it rains because the warmer air inside the car holds more moisture than the colder air outside. By switching to the external air conditioning function, drivers allow the cooler air outside to enter and prevent fogging.

Traffic

Another issue many drivers face during the British summertime is the increased risk of traffic as people across the country set off on their staycations.

If drivers find themselves stuck in traffic, it’s recommended that they switch their car air conditioning functions to the internal circulation setting to prevent any exhaust fumes from surrounding cars from entering their vehicle.

Motorway driving

Driving on motorways can feel much more tiring than driving on more scenic routes. Driving monotonous roads doesn’t require as much concentration as others and can often cause drivers to zone out or feel tired. This phenomenon is often dubbed as ‘highway hypnosis’.

Drivers should switch their car air conditioning to the external function to ensure they remain alert when driving on motorways for a significant amount of time.

The fresh air from outside will help keep oxygen levels in the car high, which can help combat any tiredness drivers might feel.

Smoking or vaping in the car

If drivers or one of their passengers are smoking or vaping inside the car, then they’ll want to turn on the external air circulation to help expel the smoke and keep fresh air entering the vehicle.

While it’s not illegal to smoke while driving, there are laws against smoking with under-18s in the car. Both the driver and the smoker could be fined (if the driver isn’t the one smoking) for being caught doing this.

However, if a driver is caught smoking without children in the car and the police deem it a distraction, they could still be fined up to £5,000 and receive up to 9 points on their licence.