Got those hay fever blues?

Sneezing, snuffling, and itchy eyes, writes Nichola Kennedy. It’s summer. Or the part of it that many find to be a real pain.

For many seasonal allergy sufferers, pollen is the most common eye irritant, with potential for allergic conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the membrane on the back of the eyelids and front of the eyeball. Eye allergies often run in families and occur due to processes associated with other types of allergic responses.

Symptoms and signs of hayfever include itchy, red eyes and swollen eyelids; runny nose; sneezing and coughing; itchy nose, mouth or throat; headache from sinus congestion; and fatigue and lack of sleep.

The most common cause of eye allergies in Ireland is grass pollen, which peaks in early summer, and ragweed pollen which peaks later in the summer.

HERE'S HOW TO DEAL WITH IT