The one (easy) thing you can do to prevent hay fever

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 NHS figures, one fifth of the UK population are hindered by hay fever and around 37% of teenagers. Even worse, trends show this number increasing as some scientists predict almost half the population will be sufferers by 2030. Thankfully, there are a few ways to tackle hayfever or allergic rhinitis to give 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, Paula 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.