Hay fever can have a big impact on quality of life, with almost nine in 10 people affected experiencing sleep deprivation as a result of their symptoms, pharmacists have warned.

They are calling on people with the condition to take preventative steps now in order to minimise symptoms over the coming months.

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, which affects around one in five people in Ireland. While most are affected by grass pollen, pollen from trees and flowers can also be a problem for some sufferers. Symptoms can include a runny nose, watery eyes, sinus pain, sneezing, coughing and headaches.

Hay fever season runs from April to September, with May, June and early July considered peak season. According to the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), sufferers need to be on ‘high alert' at this time of year.

It noted that some 87% of people with hay fever suffer sleep deprivation as a result. Furthermore, an estimated 80% of people with asthma face an increased risk of having an asthma attack because they also have hay fever.

"Hay fever can make life extremely uncomfortable for people, especially those with severe symptoms. It can greatly interfere with the sufferer's sleep, affect their daily routines and disrupt their productivity at school or at work," commented Dublin-based pharmacist and IPU member, Ann Marie Horan.

She insisted that pharmacists can play a big role in the management of allergies, including hay fever, and encouraged those with the condition to ask their local pharmacist about the best treatment options for them.

The IPU also offered the following advice to help reduce symptoms:
-When at home or driving, keep windows closed
-Wear sunglasses, preferably wraparound, as these can prevent pollen from entering the eyes
-Apply a small bit of Vaseline inside the nose to trap pollen and stop it being inhaled
-Avoid working in the garden, including mowing the lawn
-If possible, do not dry clothes outside
-Washing your hair, face and hands and changing clothes will help get rid of any pollen if you have been outside.