Our top ten hay fever tips

The warm weather means high pollen counts

With much of the UK basking in unseasonably high temperatures, it looks like being a warm few days that will last to the holiday weekend.

But it is not good new for everyone. For hundreds of thousands of hay-fever sufferers, the warm weather means high pollen counts and that means streaming eyes and a runny nose.

Breakfast's resident GP Dr Rosemary Leonard gave us no-nonsense advice for hay-fever sufferers

10 Tips for Hay-fever Sufferers

Be prepared: don't wait for a high pollen count before you take action

Steroid nasal sprays are highly effective for a congested nose they don't work instantly. Allow them a week to reach maximum impact

People vary in their reactions to anti-histamines, so try a variety

Don't take more than the recommended dose of antihistamines. They won't work any better, and you'll just increase the risk of side effects

Eye drops are best for sore, runny eyes. Check how often they need to be used

Buying hay-fever remedies over the counter can be expensive. Ask your doctor for a large supply on prescription instead

Steroid tablets (or injections) are available from doctors, but can have side effects, so they're a last resort.

The pollen count is highest in the early evening, and also first thing in the morning. Stay indoors, with the windows shut, and don't drive with your car windows open

Check the daily pollen forecast

Pollen grains can attach themselves to exhaust fumes, meaning you can still suffer in the city.

Hay-fever is an allergy to pollens - the male reproductive parts of plants - from grasses and trees.

When they come into contact with the tissue inside the nose, they trigger an immune reaction that can cause congestion, sneezing, itching, and a runny nose.

It is more common during the summer when the levels of pollen are highest.

It can also be triggered by moulds, which are likely to be found in rainy or humid areas.

Treatment

There are three types of treatment - anti-histamine tablets, nasal steroid sprays and anti-allergy injections.

Many anti-histamine tablets are available over the counter in chemists. They knock out the body's immune system, preventing the pollens from eliciting an uncomfortable response.

There are two types of anti-histamine - those that cause drowsiness and those that do not.

The non-sedating type are more expensive and usually available on prescription only.

Nasal sprays are only used on the affected area, and leave the rest of the immune system alone. They need to be applied twice a day.

Anti-allergy injections are only used in particularly severe cases and are given over a number of years. They offer long-term protection from allergies.

The increasing number of people getting hay-fever is in part due to the much earlier start to summer, but the experts say if we start treatments before the season kicks in, we are more likely to prevent symptoms.

So if you're planning to enjoy the fine weather this weekend, spare a thought for hay-fever sufferers who have to sacrifice being outdoors to keep the symptoms at bay.