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I’m a pharmacist and here are my 8 hay fever hacks… from stripping off to Vaseline

HAY FEVER season is well and truly under way and with it comes red eyes and the sniffles.

The pollen count is set to increase in the coming days, so it's important that Brits are prepared.

Pollen levels are set to soar this week - but there are ways you can prevent symptoms from ruining your day
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Pollen levels are set to soar this week - but there are ways you can prevent symptoms from ruining your dayCredit: Getty
The pollen graphs above show how pollen levels are set to rise throughout this week across the UK
The pollen graphs above show how pollen levels are set to rise throughout this week across the UK

The East of England, London and the South East all have high pollen levels today, with the rest of the country remaining at medium or high levels.

But the high levels seen in the South are set to spread through the Midlands and to the North later this week, leaving millions of hay fever sufferers in misery.

Pharmacist  said treating and preventing hay fever is built on two main principles.

The chief pharmacist at high street retailer Boots said Brits need to both avoid exposure to pollen and decrease the levels of histamine in their body.

Read more on hay fever

In order to keep hay fever symptoms at bay, he revealed his top hacks.

1. Strip off

Marc said that one of the easiest ways of preventing pollen getting into your home, is to be mindful about transferring it.

"Change your clothes as soon as you come indoors. It's best to take a shower and wash your hair  too, as pollen is difficult to remove unless it's wet", he said.

2. Use Vaseline

It turns out that petroleum jelly isn't just good for chapped lips and Marc said you can use a product like Vaseline around your nose to trap the pollen.

This stops it getting into your nose and causing sneezes and other uncomfortable hay fever symptoms.

3. Check the forecast

“When the pollen count is high, it’s likely allergies will be worse at this time.

"It’s therefore important to keep an eye on the Met Office website daily to monitor the pollen count so you can act fast if needed", Marc said.

4. Close windows

While temperatures might be creeping up as spring turns into summer, Marc said that closing windows can help prevent hay fever symptoms.

He explained: "If you are going out for the day or staying inside your home, ensure windows in your car and house are closed to minimise pollen exposure on days when the count is high.” 

5. Watch the clock

Pollen counts are usually lowest around mid day.

Marc said that if you suffer with hay fever, this is the prime time to get outside and enjoy some fresh air - without coming home with red eyes and a runny nose.

6. Buy an air purifier

Marc said that an air purifier in the home is a great way to clean the air.

"If you move it to the bedroom at night it can filter out allergens and pollutants such as dust and pollen from your bedroom", he said.

7. Use meds

Most people who have hay fever are usually stocked up with remedies, and Marc said there are a rage of relief products that you might benefit from

He said: "From tablets to nasal sprays – you can always speak to your pharmacist to find which products are suitable for you.

"If over the counter remedies are not proving effective, speak to your GP or consider visiting our Boots Online Doctor, which offers a Hayfever Treatment service.” 

8. Spot the difference

Coronavirus infections have fallen in recent months and with the less severe Omicron variant, many people will suffer mild symptoms, similar to that of a cold and even to hay fever.

Marc said that the most typical hay fever symptoms include sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy red watery eyes or an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears.

The NHS recently updated its symptoms list after free testing was scrapped.

It lists the most common signs as a high temperature, a new cough, a loss of taste and smell, aches, feeling tired and a blocked or runny nose.

It does not listing sneezing and Marc says that people who have hay fever typically don't experience a high temperature.

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He said: "Sneezing is not a symptom of Covid-19, and it's rare to have itchy, watery eyes or an itchy throat, and hay fever doesn’t cause a high temperature. 

"Ensure you’re clued up on the additional nine new Covid-19 symptoms to help you differentiate. You can find a full list of Covid-19 symptoms on the NHS website.” 

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