Millions of Britons are struggling unnecessarily with hay fever symptoms because they’re not using the right medication, warns Allergy UK.

New research by the charity has revealed that 62 per cent of the UK’s estimated 18 million hay fever sufferers find their current medication ineffective, while the majority said that their medicines simply made their symptoms more bearable. Nineteen per cent said that they would carry on regardless if their medicines were not working, while 13 per cent would increase the dosage.

The survey also discovered that while one in three people with hay fever use a steroid nasal spray, a mere 14 per cent use it correctly. Maureen Jenkins, Allergy UK director of clinical services, said: “If symptoms aren’t improving with treatment, it’s so important to get medical advice to control this debilitating condition, which is also associated with the development of asthma.”