Nearly half of UK hay fever sufferers are 'dreading' the summer months, with many forced to cancel their plans because of their symptoms in the past

A study of 1,500 people with the allergy found itchy eyes, runny noses and constant sneezing makes the warm season far from enjoyable for 48 per cent.
More than a quarter (27 per cent) have been forced to take days off work before because their hay fever symptoms were so bad.
And 44 per cent ‘dread’ socialising because of the impact the symptoms have on their appearance.
It comes after warnings from the MET Office that an early pollen release is likely this year, due to the mild winter we’ve had and the early arrival of spring.
Stephan Lang, split and sky air specialist at air purifier manufacturer Daikin UK said: “Most of us look forward to summer for obvious reasons, but for some it can be a really tough time.
“It can be hard to appreciate just how debilitating hay fever can be if you’ve never suffered from it.
“Having clean, fresh air in the home is bound to be a priority for hay fever sufferers, especially as the warmer weather arrives and the temptation to open windows comes into play.”
The study also found 45 per cent of those with hay fever think nobody understands how they feel because they are the only one in their immediate circle to have the allergy.
And 43 per cent have even been accused of having Covid-19 due to their spluttering.
But while it’s not quite the same as having someone to talk to, it turns out our pets can suffer from pollen allergies too.
Almost a fifth (18 per cent) of hay fever sufferers have noticed similar symptoms in their dogs, and many have sought treatments for them, such as oral medication (41 per cent) and ear drops (40 per cent).
When it comes to managing their own symptoms, 29 per cent of respondents polled by OnePoll have kept windows and doors