How to Beat the Dreaded Hay Fever Season

Craig McQueen tells how to beat the dreaded hay fever months, naturally.

IF your eyes are streaming, your nose is running and you're sneezing constantly, you'll know hay fever season has begun.

This week has seen high levels of tree pollen in most parts of the country, meaning months of misery ahead.

And as many of the 15million sufferers confirm, hay fever is more than just an irritation. The debilitating condition can make the summer months a real struggle for those who find themselves unable to spend time outdoors.

Hay fever occurs when the immune system mistakes pollen for toxins that need to be removed and produces histamines to combat them - chemicals which cause the sneezing, runny nose and itchy, streaming eyes.

Antihistamines are the most common treatment for the condition, blocking these chemicals and stopping the allergic reaction. But there are other methods which can be used to combat the problem. Read more