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Over the past couple of weeks many of us have noticed a distinct sense of summer in the air. The temperatures are slowly rising, the days are lasting longer, and rays of sunshine appear almost daily.

Apart from the changing weather conditions and the lighter evenings, there are other telltale signs that have made thousands of people in the UK aware that hay fever season is upon us.

It’s a time of year that is equally dreaded and revered by so many. It would seem that the common symptoms of hay fever have already started affecting so many of us. Most of the pollen in the air during spring is from trees, but if the warm climate continues this way, flowers and crops will be blooming earlier. Symptoms of hay fever vary depending on which type of pollen you are allergic to, how severe your allergy is, and the amount of pollen in the air. The most common symptoms of hay fever are:

Frequent sneezing.

runny or blocked nose,

itchy or watery eyes, and

an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears.

Some people may also experience:

loss of smell,

Face pain (caused by blocked sinuses),

sweats and

headaches.

People with asthma may also find symptoms, such as wheezing and breathlessness, get worse during the hay fever months.

Don’t let hay fever ruin your enjoyment of the warm weather. There are plenty of products available that can help relieve those unpleasant symptoms caused by histamine.

There are lots of other products that help keep pollen at bay, such as eye drops, creams, steroidal sprays and drops, and steroid injections.

It is almost impossible to avoid that pesky pollen completely, but following a few of these simple steps can help reduce the effects of hay fever this season.

Generally the pollen count is highest in the early evening, although for many people the symptoms of hay fever are worse in the mornings and evenings. To reduce the amount of pollen you come into contact with, try the following:

Keep windows and doors shut in the house. If it gets too warm, try drawing the curtains to keep out the sun and keep the temperature down.

Avoid cutting grass, playing or walking in grassy areas, and camping.

Change your clothes and take a shower after being outdoors to remove the pollen on your body.

Keep car windows closed, and consider buying a pollen filter for the air vents in your car.

Keep fresh flowers out of the house, and vacuum (ideally using a machine with a HEPA filter) and damp dust regularly.

Do not smoke and stop other people from smoking in your house. Smoking, and breathing in other people's smoke, irritates the lining of your nose, eyes, throat and airways which can make your symptoms worse.

Keep pets out of the house during the hay fever season. If your pet does come indoors, wash it regularly to remove any pollen from its fur

You can see your GP or pharmacist about your hay fever. They’ll be able to suggest some treatments to help relieve symptoms. Some are available on prescription and some over the counter. Remember to mention if you are already taking other medication or you have other health conditions.