How Poplar Fluff Is Harmful and How to Deal with It

Poplar fluff penetrates through open windows, clogs the most inaccessible places, sticks to curtains and carpets, and rolls into clumps around the apartment. But that's not the worst part: fluff usually falls to the ground and then gets lifted into the air by wind currents. In this case, it carries dust and microbes into your apartment, which eventually enter your respiratory system.

Who Is at Risk from Fluff

Poplar fluff is most dangerous for people with bronchial asthma. It not only acts as a physical irritant but also triggers new episodes of the disease.

People with chronic nasal congestion find it especially hard to tolerate fluff. Since they already have a constant inflammatory focus and swelling of the mucosa, fluff causes additional irritation, increases blood flow to tissues, and worsens their condition.

Fluff is also harmful for people with nasal polyps. It not only irritates the mucosa but can also stimulate growth of polypoid tissue, causing polyps to significantly increase in size and lead to breathing problems.

If the mucosa is healthy, it cleans itself by sneezing. But if there are defects, the condition deteriorates more quickly.

Protecting Your Car

Fine particles of gravel, sand, and debris ejected from the wheels of a vehicle ahead can clog the radiator grille, and poplar fluff easily absorbs all this dirt, forming a woolly gasket. When it reaches a certain size, the car engine starts overheating. Therefore, in summer it's better to visit the auto service more frequently and replace air filters.

...and Electronics!

During the period when poplars shed fluff, moths settle on trees. Along with the fluff, they also enter apartments. Moths do not damage clothes or food at home, but they can penetrate lighting fixtures, TVs, computers, and air conditioners (just like the fluff itself). As a result, appliances break down faster.

How Fluff Is Dangerous in the Yard

A cigarette butt left on the ground unextinguished can instantly ignite a fluff “carpet,” and if there’s dry grass underneath, it may cause a fire. This danger exists on balconies too, if neighbors above smoke. Therefore, it's important not to accumulate fluff on balconies.

How to Protect Yourself? Mosquito Nets

Modern double-glazed windows come with mosquito nets, which not only keep out mosquitos but also protect from fluff. An alternative option is a simple piece of cloth: secure it to the window frame using buttons or double-sided tape. Ensure there are no holes in the net: even a small gap can allow large amounts of fluff to enter within a day.

Wet Cleaning

After installing mosquito nets, you can start wet cleaning. Spray water in the room using a spray bottle: fluff will settle on the floor. Water containers placed at corners can help attract the fluff toward them. Then mop the floors, cabinets, bookshelves, and ventilation grates. Collect the fluff in a bag and dispose of it in the trash; otherwise, it will scatter all over the apartment again.

If your house is surrounded by poplar trees, pass a damp mop through the rooms twice daily. Most vacuum cleaners are ineffective against fluff: they don’t collect the light clumps but instead blow them around the corners.

Additional Tips:

• Rinse your nose several times a day with sea water spray. This not only helps clear nasal passages from fluff but also moisturizes the mucous membranes and reduces swelling.
• Keep car windows closed when driving through poplar alleys.
• Use vasoconstrictive drops: for nasal congestion, use them no more than twice a day and not longer than a week.
• Avoid foods that may worsen allergies: honey, seafood, chocolate, citrus fruits, cheeses with mold. It's best to avoid alcohol, especially herbal drinks like tinctures, vermouths, and liqueurs.
• Consult a doctor. There are many medications for allergies today. But each is tailored to treat specific symptoms.