Hay fever is an allergy to pollen - usually to grass pollen, but sometimes to other types, including tree, weed and mould pollens. It was very rare 100 years ago, but has become increasingly common, now affecting one in four of us.

Hay fever is pretty common - a lot of us struggle in the warmer months when it’s difficult to avoid pollen. It shares many symptoms with a cold - but whilst a cold can last for around a fortnight, hay fever can go on for months.

Although symptoms vary from person to person, common signs are sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, itchy eyes and throat, and a headache. If you already suffer from asthma, hay fever can make things much worse - and unfortunately, there’s no cure for it.

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to identify whether or not you have hay fever. If you don’t experience these symptoms for most of the year, but suddenly develop problems in June and July - you could be suffering from hay fever. It can be frustrating to lose your summer to hay fever - if you have a nose that runs every time you go out, or a nose that blocks up so you can’t talk properly - even itchy eyes can spoil your day.

Beyond lifestyle changes such as avoiding cut grass and flowers, keeping windows and doors shut where possible, and putting vaseline around your nose to trap pollen, you’ll be able to find advice and support at your local pharmacy. Your community pharmacy team is trained to suggest medicines that can help manage your hay fever symptoms, including antihistamine tablets. Antihistamines are often used to relieve the symptoms of allergies and reactions to bites or stings.

Antihistamines are usually divided into two groups - some will make you sleepy, whereas others are non-drowsy. The non-drowsy antihistamines are generally the best option, unless your symptoms are stopping you from sleeping. Your pharmacist will also be able to suggest eye drops and nasal sprays which are designed to reduce your body’s reaction to pollen.

If antihistamines don’t work for you, your pharmacist can help you arrange an appointment with your GP, who might prescribe you steroids to help manage your hay fever, or begin the process of referring you for immunotherapy, where you’ll build up your immunity to pollen.