Help for hay fever

Aaa-tishoo!

Streaming eyes, itchy nose, tickly throat? Yes, it\'s hayfever season and, if you\'re suffering, it may interest you to know that you\'re in the company of Melinda Messenger, Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt, Jennifer Lopez and weatherman Michael Fish.

But it may interest you more to know what you can do to alleviate those irritating hayfever symptoms, so read on for our self-help strategies and best products to buy.

Simple self-help

● Smear a little dab of Vaseline just inside your nostrils. Any pollen entering your nose will stick before it can cause irritation.

● Wear wraparound sunglasses to prevent allergens entering the eyes.

● Keep all windows closed, including those in your car, and on public transport

● Get undressed before you enter your bedroom, so that any pollen stays on your clothes

● Wash your hair before going to bed. Pollen sticks to your hair and will irritate you during the night

● If you dry your washing outdoors, hang it out mid-morning and bring it in before the early evening, to keep pollen contamination to a minimum.

Give hayfever the red light

Bionase (formerly Medinose) is a new approach to hayfever treatment. Bionase uses ‘photo therapy\', essentially small red lights that trick the immune system in your nose into not becoming inflamed. By placing its small probes in the nostrils, Bionase inhibits the release of histamine - which causes the itching eyes, swelling in your nose and mucus production.

Our tester Amir said: \'Though you might think you look a bit daft when using it (and let\'s face it, you do), stick with it and after a week of following the instructions, you start noticing the effects. The annoying symptoms of hayfever were gone, and my breathing was significantly improved. The most apparent downsides to this treatment are getting past the visual impact of putting two light-emitting diodes in your nose three times a day, and the seemingly steep price tag. I can\'t help thinking that although this is a completely new approach to dealing with hayfever, it\'s perhaps not the most cost-effective method, particularly if you\'re on a budget.\'

Bionase costs £59.95 from anhealth.co.uk (official UK distributor)

EchinaBoost

EchinaBoost is a herbal alternative to antihistamines which combines the immune-stimulating effects of Echinacea and liquorice, the decongestant and cooling effects of eucalyptus and peppermint, with the anti-inflammatory properties of cloves. These chewable tablets can be taken two to three times a day and aim to decongest the sinuses.

EchinaBoost costs £5.99 for 80 tablets and is available from healthstoreuk and Waitrose or by mail order on 01453 751395.

Sterimar

Stérimar is a sea-water nasal spray that helps clear pollen, dust and other airborne allergens from your nasal passages, allowing you to breathe freely. It\'s based on sea-water purified and treated so that its salt concentration matches that of your body.

Stérimar Isotonic Nasal Hygiene costs £6.49 from boots.com

Quercitin-C

Quercitin-C is a hayfever prevention treatment that contains a Quercitin-Catechin complex derived from blue-green algae and vitamin C, adding antioxidant properties to its prevention of histamine build-up in the body. Quercitin is an abundant, naturally occurring flavonoid found in apples, onions, green leafy vegetables, beans and citrus fruits - so including these foods in your diet can only help to combat hayfever symptoms too. 

Quercitin-C by Cardiovascular Research, £11.95 for 90 capsules, nutricentre.com

Potters Allerclear Eye Drops

Try a couple of drops of Potters Allerclear Eye Drops in each eye one or more times daily. Allercleardrops contain the herb Eyebright and are suitable for contact lens wearers, those with sensitive eyes and children, and work towards keeping eyes clear of the characteristic itchy, red eyes associated with hayfever.

Potters Allerclear Eye Drops, £4.88 for 10 ml, nutricentre.com

Oralmat drops

Oralmat drops are absorbed under the tongue and give fast relief from inflammatory problems such as hayfever. Oralmat is a natural, herbal remedy that contains rye grass extract to help modulate the immune system and fight the allergens and irritants that trigger inflammatory and respiratory problems.

Oralmat Drops by The Rye Way, £24.99 for 10ml, nutricentre.com

Hay-Band

Look towards traditional Chinese medicine for a drug-free alternative to hay fever in the shape of the Hay-Band. This stretchy band is worn at the elbow crease and is based on the principles of acupuncture, exerting a gentle, constant pressure on an acupressure point that has been used for over 2500 years to relieve hay fever symptoms. One band will see you through an entire hay fever season and is washable and durable.

Hay-Band, £9.99, available from Lloyds Pharmacy or hay-band.co.uk

Boots Alternatives Hayfever Relief

Boots Alternatives Hayfever Relief Tablets are a homeopathic medicine containing Allium cepa, Euphrasia officinalis and Sabadilla officinarum, formulated for the symptomatic relief of hayfever. The recommended dosage is two tablets two to three times a day.

Boots Alternatives Hayfever Relief - 72 Tablets, £4.60, boots.com