The best way to deal with allergies is to identify the source and avoid it where possible. This is quite difficult with airborne pollen, but there are things that sufferers can do to limit their exposure:

• Keep windows and doors closed, particularly in the early evening when the pollen count can be high
• Check the pollen count daily and stay indoors when it is high
• Avoid cutting the grass
• Wear wraparound sunglasses
• Apply a nasal barrier gel to prevent pollen from entering the nose.

Track it!

Pollen levels (known as the pollen count) vary with the time of year and weather. In general:

• Tree pollen (e.g. birch) is released during spring. However, trees such as hazel and yew may cause symptoms as early as February, while oak pollen may persist into June
• Grass pollen is released at the end of spring and the beginning of summer and affects around 90 per cent of hayfever sufferers
• Weed pollen, such as nettle, is released from early spring through to late autumn.