Oh! The hayfever season appears to be getting longer. I am sure there are a number of climatic and scientific reasons for this, but this is no comfort for the thousands of people that suffer the symptoms of hayfever in the summer.

Hayfever is caused by allergies to pollen, grasses and fungal spores. There are a range of symptoms: occasionally people have very severe symptoms, others have mild ones like an itchy nose! Here are some hayfever busters!

• The most common treatment for hayfever are antihistamines as tablets, nose sprays or liquid. Ask your pharmacist for his recommendation for your symptoms.

• Alternatively, butterbur is a natural antihistamine, although I do not know if it is as effective as over the counter remedies. Linpharma Butterbur Petasin can be bought from www.naturalfigure.co.uk

• Wear wrap-round sunglasses and a hat to keep pollen out.

• Take off pollen-saturated clothes when you go indoors, and take a shower. Hang the pollen-saturated clothes in the shower room and allow the steam to ‘catch’ the pollen, then brush the clothes down. However, do check that your clothes will be okay in a steamy environment first.

• The evening is a bad time for hayfever. Pollen rises in the air during the day, then falls again between 4pm and 7pm. Close the windows.

• Mould spores can be a problem in late summer and autumn.

• Many people believe eating local honey desensitises you to hay fever. The British Beekeepers’ Association shows the honey for your areas at www.bbka.org.uk

• June is normally the worst month for hay fever according to the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit. Check the pollen count at www.bbc.co.uk/weather/pollen

• Seawater or saline sprays (available from your pharmacists) sprayed up your nasal passages can rinse pollen from the nose.

• Smear a little Vaseline inside your nostrils to trap the pollen.

• There are a number of eye drop products on the market. I have found Opticrom eyedrops from Boots very effective, but don’t use with soft contacts.

• Ionisers and air purifiers are designed to clear pollen from the air indoors. John Lewis has a good selection.

• If you are going to hang out your washing, do it at mid day when the pollen has risen. Remember to bring in the washing before 4pm when the pollen begins to fall (or dry everything inside).

• A natural antihistamine is quercetin, which is found in apples, onions and citrus fruits.

• My grandmother swore by cucumber slices being put on tired or swollen eyes. Lie back for 5 minutes and let them cool and relax your eyes. It does work!

• Do be aware that hay fever can cause drowsiness, as can some antihistamine remedies.