I Suffer Badly From Hay Fever And Have Tried Every Remedy – Can This £700 Dyson Fan Really Cure Me?

The May bank holiday weekend was, naturally, the first time my hay fever really reared its head this year. There’s no mood killer quite like that initial itch creeping its way into my nostrils. Eventually, scrunching alone isn’t enough. I’ll resort to using my knuckles in a ferocious attempt to calm the niggling discomfort, resulting in a very red and very sore nose. Of course, my fellow sufferers (all 10 million of us in the UK) will no doubt be familiar with such a scenario - alongside the rest of the symptoms the allergy brings. Read: sneezing, a blocked nose, inflamed eyes and itchy skin. Caused by the body’s attempt to expel pollen from the immune system, it’s wholly unpleasant stuff. Over the past few months I’ve made it my mission to try out some of the hay fever remedies out there – from the 99p wipes that have helped to prevent irritated eyes, to the multi-award winning nose balm that acts as a barrier against pollen. My latest review? Well, this is where I’m bringing out the big guns – the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool™ Formaldehyde HP09 purifying fan heater, priced at a cool £699.99.

But what is it, exactly, that makes this particular fan a potential remedy for hayfever? Firstly, it’s well known that common allergens like pollen are carried in the air. Fans that purify air can offer extra reassurance against pesky pollen making its way indoors ultimately prolonging the irritation long after your picnic in the park. Where Dyson’s offering differs, however, is in it its pioneering technology. According to the brand, its advanced purifier innovation can help to reduce indoor air pollution, ‘capturing and destroying pollen and allergens in the air at home.’ Its studies suggest the fan has the ability to capture an impressive 99.97% of allergens and pollutants as small as 0.1 microns (teeny tiny, to you and I) and to actively destroy formaldehyde. "Formaldehyde!?" I hear you cry! Turns out the ominous-sounding gas is lurking indoors, too - it's a colourless gas pollutant, which can be released by furniture and wooden products. Unsurprisingly, consistent exposure to unsafe levels of formaldehyde isn't exactly good for you, so getting rid of that alongside allergens is a definite bonus.

How We Tested It

It's impressive stuff on paper, there’s no doubt. But does it really work? That’s where I come in. Typically, hay fever symptoms begin around April, so I've been been amping up my testing from then, swapping out my basic fan for the Dyson. Over the past few weeks, I've turned on the Dyson (via a nifty, and easy to use remote control) every evening for a couple of hours before bed. In the past, I've suffered the worst hay fever when I'm trying to sleep, having learned the hard way that keeping windows open during the day isn't an option. After a couple of hours of quiet, cooling air, I'll turn the Dyson off again before I sleep - but I daresay, come the hotter weather, I'll begin to leave it on throughout the night.

Shop: Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool™ Formaldehyde HP09

Overall rating:

Those looking for drug-free relief from hayfever may want to invest. Make no mistake, I'll not be giving up my arsenal of other remedies anytime soon, but I have seen a marked improvement in my symptoms in the evenings. In previous years I'd have been in total discomfort, especially by this point in the year. Yet, I do feel considerably less stuffy. Could a fan capturing '99.97% of allergens and pollutants' be the reason for that? With Dyson's stellar reputation in mind, I'd be inclined to say yes. It's expensive. Eye-wateringly so. But there's a reason why the brand has built up a cult following who swear by the efficacy of the products. It's quiet, easy to use, and cools the whole room in minutes. It's aesthetically pleasing too, something of a rarity for a fan. And hey, when hay fever season is finally over? Well, I've got myself a heater, too.

Rachael Martin is Grazia’s Junior Beauty Editor. Originally from Northern Ireland, she studied English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, before moving to London to pursue a career in magazine journalism.