Hay fever is an allergy to pollen and usually worse from in spring and summer. The symptoms include runny nose and sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy, watery, and puffy eyes. Some people also develop itching in the throat, mouth, nose, and ears and a cough.

Hay fever can be managed well with some lifestyle changes, and when needed, medication.

The cause of hay fever is the immune system mistaking pollen for something harmful and releasing a substance called histamine which causes the symptoms.

You don’t need to see your GP if you suffer from hay fever, but visit a pharmacy for advice and treatment.

Hay fever symptoms can usually be managed with medicines that don’t require a prescription such as antihistamine tables, antihistamine nasal sprays, steroid nasal sprays, and eye drops. These treatments can be used to both prevent and to treat symptoms.

You can also try some home remedies:

• Shower and wash your hair after going outside

• Rinse your nose with salt water or use steam inhalation to remove pollen

• Soak a clean flannel in cold water and press it over your eyes to ease soreness and itching

• Put barrier balm around the insides of your nostrils – this will pick up pollen and prevent it from entering your nose

• Avoid drying washing outside

• Have a shower and change your clothes after coming inside on a high-pollen day