Hay fever season is upon us!

So here we are again, on the verge of spring, looking forward to warmer weather but thinking about the prospect of hay fever.

So here we are again, on the verge of spring, looking forward to warmer weather but thinking about the prospect of hay fever. Take a look at our 10 ideas for coping with this allergy and some of the additional benefits of one particular solution.

According to The National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, the cold in winter encourages birch trees to pollinate early and with the Zirtek website (www.zirtek.co.uk) suggesting the tree pollen season starts in mid-March, it's probably about time hay fever sufferers started getting ready for the season ahead.

Clearly, the best form of hay fever defence is to avoid provoking the allergy! However, we're not sure that sitting inside an airtight bubble for the summer would do anyone any good. So we've come up with a few suggestions to make life a little more bearable this hay fever season. (plus, why do they call it hay fever? It's not caused by hay and it rarely triggers a fever?! Bizarre!)

1. Check the pollen forecast before you go out - to see whether you need to take extra precautions out and about - Zirtek have a good one on their website, as do the BBC
2. Drive with your car windows shut and fit an effective pollen filter
3. Get someone else to mow the lawn - a great excuse!
4. Wear sunglasses when out and about to help prevent eye irritation
5. Choose plants for your garden that are insect pollinated - and change when you get home after a day in the sun, pollen clings to your clothes and hair
6. Of course, make sure you have your medication with you - we won't advise what to take, make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
7. Keep windows and doors closed in the early morning and late afternoon - the time pollen tends to rise - or better still, get a pollen screen from us - they're proven to keep out the majority of pollen meaning you can keep the fresh air coming in and keep the nasty pollen spores out! (They'll also keep the flies and bugs out - another common problem in the summer!)
8. Dry your washing indoors! Keeps the pollen off them.
9. Don't forget that smoking and pollution can make your symptoms worse, so it's another excuse to kick the habit or stay out of the city.