Cometh the Spring, cometh the sneezes, runny itchy eyes, blocked nose and ears (the worse for me), and scratchy throat, which affects about one in five people in England. This year, seasonal allergic rhinitis, as it’s called medically, started a month or so earlier than the usual end of March due to the warm wet February, which provided ideal conditions for plants to put on a growth spurt.

There are several sources for pollen forecasting. Usually, I would suggest the Met Office but they helpfully say their pollen forecast will start in March… and my calendar tells me today is the 4th March so they’re off my list. The University of Worcester, however, is up and running with a pretty comprehensive Pollen Services & Research section.

The good news for gardeners is that, while the tree pollen and spores count are moderate (quite enough to cause my symptoms), weeds and grasses are low…

So, what’s to do? Our go to pharmacist Shabir Daya at Victoria Health recommends the following:

Aller-DMG (£29 for 60 vegetarian tabs) – I’ve taken this natural supplement for years and it really works; here’s what Shabir says: ‘take two tablets daily. Containing well researched nutrients, Aller-DMG works to regulate histamine levels in the body, improve respiratory function and ensure that the immune system does not over-react to allergens such as pollen thus helping to reduce the misery of the symptoms of hayfever. Aller-DMG is equally suitable for use against numerous other types of allergies including food intolerances, skin reactions and pet dander.’

A.Vogel Pollinosan Hayfever Eye Drops (£13.99 for 10ml) – these contain chamomile and hyaluronic acid to help soothe red, itchy eyes immediately. Pollen can get caught under contact lenses so importantly these drops are suitable for contact lens wearers.

Getting into high pollen season, it’s worth reading these tips and information from Allergy UK for living with hayfever.

Before I finish: on the topic of allergies, I’ve had several emails from readers asking for natural remedies for eczema. Shabir Daya says that many Victoria Health customers have found this itchy skin condition is soothed by using an Aussie brand called Hope’s Relief. The range offers an eczema and dry skin cream called Intensive Dry Skin Rescue (£18.99 for a 60g tube), and also a topical spray called simply Dry Skin Itchy Skin (£17.49 for 90ml).

One thing I would suggest from my own eczema-ridden experience, try using natural bath cleaning products and super gentle skin and haircare. The discoid eczema on my tummy always got worse when the bath had been cleaned with a powerful domestic cleaner. And do avoid high street bubble baths: they’re usually based on sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate to create the bubbles – and make my skin itch like you know what…

Prize Draws