WHILE we’re in the middle of winter and it is not too common, hay fever generally springs up in the next season – Spring.

It is a common condition that includes sneezing because of the many distinct allergies in the air.

It is often caused by an allergy to grass pollen. But many people may not know that Hay fever can occur at any time of the year as an allergic reaction to dust mites, mould and animal fur or hair.

Symptoms include a running nose, sneezing and itchy, watering eyes. Medication including anti-histamines and staying indoors can help symptoms. A course of immunotherapy may help some people.

To reduce your hay fever symptoms – if you have a mild case of it and know that it may get worse – here’s some tips for you.

You should check the pollen count forecast on TV or in the newspapers and stay in doors if need be if it’s a high count.

Stay indoors on windy days particularly in spring or after thunderstorms.

Outside, if you have a garden make sure the plants are pollinated by birds or insects rather than those that release seeds into the air because this can set your sneezing off again.

It would be ideal to have brick or paved areas instead of lawn.

You could even smell petroleum jelly which is like vaseline inside your nose to stop the pollen from touching the lining of your nose.

And splash your eyes with cold water every so often to refresh yourself.