Hay fever season is in full swing.
Yep, sneezing non-stop, itchy eyes, a nose that will not stop running... these are just some of the symptoms that can present when pollen irritation sets in, causing hay fever.
According to a new survey conducted by The HSE and IrishHealth.com, one fifth of the Irish population are hindered by hay fever and added to that is the fact that 87% of those who suffer from inflammation of the nose find that it affects their sleep.
Thankfully, there are a few ways to tackle hayfever or allergic rhinitis (to give it its technical term).
Boots pharmacist Paula Reilly has a number of tips to make managing hay fever much easier and there's one that we hadn't heard before.
Apparently, rubbing a little petroleum jelly (Vaseline) can help to prevent pollen from entering the nasal passage, essentially stopping hay fever in its tracks.
Other tips include vacuuming and damp dusting at home so that pollen doesn't settle, wearing wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen, and changing your clothes or shower if you've been out and about to remove pollen.
Speaking about the common condition, Reilly explained: "While hayfever impacts people differently, there’s no doubt that it can have a negative influence on people’s routines and ability to enjoy outdoor activities if the symptoms aren’t managed properly."
If hay fever has set in, there are ways of alleviating the symptoms including the use of nasal spray, eye drops and antihistamine tablets.
