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How to nip hayfever in the bud
Olivia Goldhill
Hayfever is such a cruel ailment. There should be nothing more joyous than lying in the grass, eating strawberries and sleeping away the afternoon. But for hayfever sufferers, a relaxing day in the sun becomes a tortuous experience, seen through teary eyes and interrupted by a perpetually streaming nose.

Sports presenter John Inverdale claimed he was tortured by hayfever on the day he said Marion Bartoli, the Wimbledon champion, was “never going to be a looker”, and countless social incidents have been marred by less widely-broadcast faux pas.

The Met Office has reported that this summer could be one of the warmest on record, which will be celebrated by all but the sniffly hayfever sufferers, who will be further upset by news that the warm days interspersed with showers will create a longer pollen season.

But if you're forever armed with three packets of tissues and a litre-bottle of water, then these treatments could help calm hayfever.

Take antihistamines – even when you don’t need them

For mild hayfever sufferers, the odd antihistamine pill when you feel sniffly should do the trick. But if you find your eyes streaming and your nostrils red from nose-blowing, then take the tablets before your symptoms appear. A regular dose of antihistamine will make sure the drug remains high in your system to fight off the effects of pollen. And if the pills still don’t work, speak to your GP about a stronger prescription antihistamine.