Atishoo - it's that time of year again!

• Stop pollen from getting in your home. Keep doors and windows closed so that tree pollen doesn’t get blown in. If the allergen isn’t in your home, then it’s a safe place for your children to be.

• Use an organic, drug-free allergen barrier balm such as HayMax to stop the allergen getting in your child’s body. Everyone can tolerate a certain amount of pollen in their body without reaction – known as their ‘trigger level’. Once this level is reached, an allergic reaction will start to occur. An allergen barrier balm applied around the rim of the nostrils and bones of the eyes will help reduce the amount of pollen getting in.

• What your child eats and drinks can affect how much – or how little – they will suffer from hay fever. Make sure they stay hydrated and eat lots of fruit and vegetables to stay healthy and to support their immune system. Some foods such as capers, red onions, watercress and kale contain quercetin, a natural antihistamine. Avoid giving them mucus-producing dairy drinks. Excess mucus is exactly what you don’t need if you suffer from hay fever. Give them water instead.

• Hay fever can affect your sleep. Make sure your child showers at night before sleeping to remove pollen particles from their hair and body. Then apply an allergen barrier balm to block the pollen. Change and wash your child’s bedding regularly to remove allergens.

• Damp dust and vacuum your home regularly, particularly your child’s room, including fabrics such as curtains and upholstery, to prevent the build-up of pollen.

• Understand which types of pollen your children are allergic to as this will help you to plan their allergy management better. If you know that they are allergic to beech or oak pollen, for example, you can try to avoid areas where these trees grow, or at least prepare if you know you are going to be near them.

Visit haymax.biz/hay-fever