With high pollen counts forecast in the north west this week - and no doubt many more to come throughout the summer, hay fever sufferers will be relying on tablets, antihistamines and other medication to get them through.
But it seems that high street stores are being hit by a shortage of Piriton - a popular brand of hay fever tablets for adults. Boots and Lloyds Pharmacy are just some of the shops which have seen low stocks of the drug, though other hay fever tablets and Piriton syrups for children seem to still be available.
Now Dr Hilary Jones has shared his top tips for managing hay fever symptoms, adding that we shouldn't be 'extraordinarily worried' by short supply, WalesOnline reports.
Read more: How to tell if you have hay fever - the symptoms to look out for and treatment
During Lorraine Kelly's morning ITV show, Dr Hilary voiced his opinions on the shortages, saying Brexit "hasn't helped" and explaining: "There is a shortage of some medicines but certainly not all.
"We've got 90 products that treat hay fever, which you purchase over the counter at chemists, and there's four in short supply."
The TV doctor shared some of his own hacks for dealing with hay fever, starting with advice to "listen to Laura Tobin with the weather forecast and the pollen forecast" adding: "She will tell you when the bad days are on their way - Friday is going to be a bad day because we've got higher temperatures."
He went on to say: "Avoid going out in the early morning and early evening, which is when the pollen tends to rise into the sky and then fall to the ground later on as the air cools.
"Think about wrap-around sunglasses, thinking about pollen filters in your car, think about Vaseline in the nostrils.
"Think about having a shower when you come in from a walk outside.
"To get rid of pollen in your hair and shampoo your hair as well".
He also recommended pet owners shampoo their pets, particularly dogs, after a walk as they can carry pollen on their coats and can also develop symptoms of hay fever.
