Preventing misery of hay fever is easier than you might think

Itchy red eyes and a running nose? It probably means hay fever is ruining your summer.

Studies suggest close to 18 million people suffer from hay fever across the UK and though it can affect anyone, it’s especially prominent among young people and teenagers.

There’s no sure-fire way to avoid the condition but there are many steps you can take to minimise the effects of that pesky pollen, both inside and outside.

Dusting your home with a damp cloth rather than a dry one is a great way to collect and remove pollen from your window sills and bookshelves.

Keeping your pets indoors during the hay fever season will also greatly reduce the amount of pollen brought into the house.

However, if you plan on letting your furry friends roam free, then regular washes will get rid of the extra amounts caught up in their fur.

Staying indoors during the summer period is the best way to avoid runny noses and watery eyes but that is a drastic move to take, so you can tackle those problem particles head-on with a few sensible precautions.

Lining your lower nostrils with a small measure of petroleum jelly can prevent pollen from getting in to your nasal passages.

Wearing wraparound sunglasses, showering and changing your clothes after being outside the home are other ways of blocking out the irritant.

A few precautions can help cut the risk of hay fever.