Hay fever has been affecting many people over the last week or so, with moderate to high pollen counts recorded throughout the country.
During warm and dry weather, there is a “high to very high risk from grass pollen”, according to Met Eireann.
Anti-histamines, nasal sprays or other remedies can help alleviate symptoms, but is there anything else that you can do?
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First of all, it’s important to determine the cause of your symptoms.
Galway-based GP Doctor Laura Lenihan said that most people tend to know if they have hay fever.
“The main symptoms are an itchy throat and eyes, a runny nose, a cough in some cases. A lot of people who suffer from hay fever will also suffer from asthma or allergic rhinitis which are atopic syndromes.
“For most people who suffer from hay fever, it’s a life-long thing and starts early in life. But like any allergy it can also come on later in life. All you need is a previous exposure and then you can develop an allergy,” she told RSVP Live.
Laura said she finds advice that encourages people to stay indoors and keep windows closed “super unhelpful” as it is “difficult” to do during the warm summer months.
There are, however, a few tricks that can help.
“Putting Vaseline underneath your nose is a good one, as it can trap the pollen before it enters the nasal passages.
“Other things like wearing wraparound sunglasses can stop the pollen getting into your eyes and causing itchy, watery eyes.
“You should also avoid drying your clothes and bedsheets outside because they can pick up pollen.
“Knowing what your triggers are can be really helpful as well. There are different types of pollen, so if it’s particularly bad, you could see your GP or talk to an immunologist about it and get a proper diagnosis and allergy testing to find out what type of pollen you’re allergic to."
Read more: Irish pharmacist lists hacks to minimise hay fever amid peak pollen season
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