So, with such a cold winter this year, it's likely that the hayfever season may come a little earlier than normal. According to The National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, the cold winter encourages birch trees to pollenate early and with the Zirtek website (www.zirtek.co.uk) suggesting the tree pollen season starts in mid March, it's probably about time us hayfever sufferers started getting ready for the season ahead.

Clearly, the best form of hayfever defence is to avoid provoking the allergy! However, we're not sure that sitting inside an airtight bubble for the summer would do anyone any good. So we've come up with a few suggestions to make life a little more bearable this hayfever season. (plus, why do they call it hayfever? It's not caused by hay and it rarely triggers a fever?! Bizarre!)

1. Check the pollen forecast before you go out - to see whether you need to take extra precautions out and about - Zirtek have a good one on their website, as do the BBC

2. Drive with your car windows shut and fit an effective pollen filter

3. Get someone else to mow the lawn - a great excuse!

4. Wear sunglasses when out and about to help prevent eye irritation

5. Choose plants for your garden that are insect pollenated - heres a list of plants pollenated by bees:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_crop_plants_pollinated_by_bees

6. Shower and change when you get home after a day in the sun, pollen clings to your clothes and hair

7. Of course, make sure you have your medication with you - we won't advise what to take, make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

8. Keep windows and doors closed in the early morning and late afternoon - the times pollen tends to rise - or better still, get a pollen screen from us - they're proven to keep out the majority of pollen meaning you can keep the fresh air coming in and keep the nasty pollen spores out! (They'll also keep the flies and bugs out - another common problem in the summer!)

9. Dry your washing indoors! Keeps the pollen off them.

10. Don't forget that smoking and pollution can make your symptoms worse, so it's another excuse to kick the habit or stay out of the city.