The tiredness, itchy eyes, runny nose, and seasonal sneezes are well and truly back. And this year, you may have come to the sad conclusion that for some reason, your hay fever is worse than ever before. You’re not alone. Social media is ablaze with sniffly sufferers bemoaning the start of summer.

But why? Well, from May to July, grass pollen is at its peak. And that affects 80% of people with hay fever. Couple that with a slow start to the summer (by which we mean torrents of rain) damping down the ever-increasing count, followed by several intense sunny spells, plus the majority of us spending more time indoors, and you have yourself a recipe for hay fever so perfect, it could bag a place on MasterChef.

For many of us, our first real exposure to pollen this year, is right here at its highest. Making it seem like your hay fever is an itchier, sleepier, iteration than you’ve experienced for a long while. Eugh. It’s time to reach for the antihistamines.

Thankfully, you can ease your pollen allergy symptoms by following a few simple steps recommended by the NHS.

  • Rub Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen
  • Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes
  • Shower and change your clothes after you’ve been outside to wash pollen off
  • Stay indoors whenever possible
  • Keep windows and doors closed
  • Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth

And if all else fails, crack open the cetirizine, fexofenadine, or loratadine; names you’re no doubt familiar with if the summer sniffles have plagued you previously. They’re widely available from most supermarkets and pharmacies, and will treat your symptoms quickly. But you could also consider:

  • Barrier balms
  • Local honey
  • Eye drops
  • Nasal sprays
  • A diet enriched with vitamin C (a natural antihistamine)
  • Avoiding dairy (and therefore dodging catarrh)

Breathing supplemental oxygen during an episode of hay fever can also help reduce the effects. Did you know, O2 is naturally anti-inflammatory and can calm respiratory irritation? Used regularly throughout the day, supplemental oxygen can relieve hay fever and boost your body’s immune response, as well as supporting your breathing.

What’s more, pure oxygen will also help fight the associated headaches and tiredness which more often than not go hand-in-hand with hay fever. Win. Win.

ClearO2’s best-selling 15l Oxygen Can with a handy inhaler cap is trusted by customers to help fight the symptoms of hay fever. It could work for you too.