You're washing your hair WRONG! Doctor reveals exactly how often you should be shampooing your locks - and it's probably more than you think
But it turns out you've probably been washing your hair wrong this entire time.
Dr Pallavi Bradshaw, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at AXA Heath Insurance, claims that you should wash your hair daily during the UK heatwave.
This might sound excessive to many people - particularly if you have an elaborate shampooing routine.
However, with pollen levels set to soar across the UK, changing up your hair-washing schedule could be a game-changer.
'As well as clinging to our clothes, pollen can remain present on our body and hair,' Dr Bradshaw explained.
'Therefore, hay fever sufferers need to shower, wash their hair thoroughly, and change their clothes after being outside.'
According to the Met Office, pollen levels are 'very high' across London & South East England, and the East of England today.
And by tomorrow, the whole of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will have 'high' levels.
Most hayfever sufferers know to stock up on antihistamines and to stay inside during these conditions.
However, you might not be aware that it's also best to wash your hair daily during these so-called 'pollen bombs'.
'Showering reduces the risk of further irritation and can minimise the severity of hay fever symptoms,' Dr Bradshaw explained.
'It is recommended to use warm rather than hot showers to avoid drying out the skin and, where possible, use hypoallergenic soaps or shampoos.'
Dr Bradshaw's advice comes shortly after Nigel Bearman, home cleaning expert and founder of Daily Poppins, advised Brits not to dry their clothes outside during the heatwave.
'Hanging your clothes, bedding or towels outside on high pollen days is a recipe for itchy eyes and a stuffy nose,' Mr Bearman explained.
'The wet laundry acts like a sponge, soaking up all the pollen.
'It settles into the fibres and clings on as the fabric dries, meaning it'll end up in your bed, wardrobe and on your skin.
'It's no wonder so many people have allergy flare-ups even in their own homes.
'On high pollen days, I always recommend drying your clothes indoors, ideally near a window or with decent airflow,' he added.
'If you're short on space, use a collapsible drying rack in a well-ventilated room.'
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The Independent
13 minutes ago
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Telegraph
14 minutes ago
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Daily Mail
14 minutes ago
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She said she had been using Gerson therapy as one mode of treatment on the advice of her mother's ex-fiancee, Doctor Patrick Villers, and that at 15 years old, she spent three weeks in his camp in Mexico where it was practised. Gerson therapy involves a strict organic vegetarian diet and enemas and has been used in cancer treatment, though Cancer Research UK says that there is no scientific evidence it can be used as a treatment for cancer. Her GP was also monitoring her blood and progress, she said. The former Cambridge student went on to deny having the disease and said 'I was not diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma... I have never had a shadow on my lung, this is absurd fantasy, no proof'. She described the diagnosis as 'suspected and unconfirmed', and said a 'differential diagnosis' only meant cancer could not be ruled out. Paloma understood that she had a one in five chance of surviving the commonplace R-CHOP treatment that was offered, and feared it would likely make her infertile, the inquest heard. 'I do not want to undergo such a harsh treatment that could even kill me when there is a possibility this is not cancer,' she said. The High Court statement alleged multiple violations of human rights in her care, the inquest heard, including Articles 3, 6 and 8 and possibly Articles 1, 5 and 12. 'I am so shocked, as are others assisting me, especially my mother, that this could take place today', the statement said. 'These were put in place forever to prevent what Dr Mengele did in the second world war. How could this happen today?', it continued. Notorious Nazi doctor Josef Mengele performed experiments on his victims in Auschwitz. The patient said symptoms she presented in hospital with - including a swollen face, excruciating chest pain being unable to move her arm - had subsided. Earlier this month, Paloma's inquest heard from haematology consultant Dr Mohan who detailed how the young woman was diagnosed and how a treatment plan was created. The coroner's court heard that Paloma was first admitted to A&E on October 4 2023 with chest pain, a fever and a lump in the neck. She was then admitted on December 3 and was put forward for an emergency CT scan the next day. After a biopsy was also taken, Paloma was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma with a large mass being found near her sternum. While the consultant was asked about scans from radiology Mrs Shemirani shouted 'I'd like to object' to which the coroner told her she could not object to a witness statement. Dr Arunodaya Mohen said that as part of a standard treatment plan Paloma was advised to start six cycles of chemotherapy - each lasting 14 days. Steroids would also be provided, with radiotherapy and stents being considered later down the line. The doctor said side effects of the treatment, which could have been taken as an inpatient or outpatient, include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, changes to nails and the production of 'tumour lives' which can produce toxins and affect chemicals in the body. Dr Mohen added: 'Chemotherapy can affect fertility so we offered Paloma full fertility preservation before she went ahead with chemotherapy. 'We had a discussion regarding on fertility and we discussed a referral to a tertiary centre. And she was happy to go ahead with the fertility preservation and we discussed the pet scan. 'At that point I don't think I had any concerns [about her capacity]. We went through the management plan at that time and that's when we gave her the cure rate of 80 per cent during that conversation.' At this stage, Paloma's cancer was considered to be a stage one mass and due to her age and extent of the disease she had a good chance of survival. Her doctor said: 'She was very low risk and had an 80 per cent chance of survival which is an excellent cure rate.' After first meeting with Paloma on December 22, Dr Mohan had discussed treatment options and a potential PET scan with Paloma to which she is said to have nodded in agreement. Yet the next day Paloma appeared to have changed her mind and was exploring 'unconventional' treatment options. The consultant said she had been surprised when Paloma said that she would not be continuing treatment. Dr Mohan added: 'It was not expected that she was not going ahead with the treatment. 'She said she hadn't made up her mind yet and she might be cancelling her treatment. I can't remember what treatment that was in favour of but it wasn't a conventional treatment. 'She would not disclose why she was worried about the treatment but I did ask her and my team was worried that she might not undergo treatment.' Dr Mohan said she had only had one conversation with Paloma's mother over the phone and had not discussed Mrs Shemirani being Paloma's power of attorney. She said Mrs Shemirani had repeated Paloma's concerns about the side effects of steroids and said 'she wasn't happy with the Pet scan'. Dr Mohan added: 'I said we would ask Paloma what she wanted and if she decided this treatment I will go in that direction. 'We thought at the time she had full capacity in what was going on. I didn't even want to talk to mum as I didn't think it was helpful.' It's understood that Paloma's father Faramarz also believes in conspiracy theories, but is divorced and living separately to her mother. Gabriel and his brother Sebastian went public last month, claiming their sister died because she refused conventional chemotherapy treatment. The brothers said that doctors gave Paloma an 80 per cent chance of survival but rejected the treatment because of pressure from her mother whom she had been trying to improve her relationship with. They claimed that Mrs Shemirani, whose real name is Kay, had sought to isolate her only daughter from her family, boyfriend and friends with Paloma even sending messages that she was being 'abused' by her mother. Her mother denies this. Kate, who describes herself as a 'natural nurse' to her 80,000 followers on Elon Musk's X, believes in 'Gerson therapy' - a belief that a vegan diet, natural juices, coffee enemas and supplements can cure cancer. Ahead of the opening of the inquest on July 18, Gabriel and his older brother Sebastian, 26, are calling for the law to be changed to include conspiracy theories as a means of coercive control. They are calling for the change as they believe despite Paloma being an adult she was not in a position to refuse treatment due to coercion from her parents who both push conspiracy theories. Speaking ahead of the inquest, Sebastian, who splits his time between Hong Kong and Georgia told The Sunday Times: 'If someone is rejecting cancer treatment for non-terminal cancer, that is evidence that they are not making the right decisions.' The brothers are also calling for it to be made illegal that unqualified or unregistered people call themselves 'doctors or nurses'. The inquest continues.
