Stop the sniffles

Try local honey: There’s also anecdotal evidence – although no scientific proof – that eating it daily before hay fever season starts could be beneficial.

Along with better weather comes sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny nose, but taking action now can help reduce hay fever symptoms later, says Dr Beverley Adams-groom, pollen expert and chief palynologist at the University of Worcester. ‘The grass pollen season usually starts from late May to July, while the tree pollen season starts in April or May.’

Talk to your GP about whether you should take a course of non-drowsy antihistamines before the start of the season.

‘If you always get bunged up, using steroid nasal sprays a week or two before symptoms start may also work,’ says Dr Adams-groom.