Q&A: Coping with hayfever

Q: I love riding outside in the summer. However, during the pastfew years, my hayfever has got worse and it can really spoil a hack. I am against taking oral medication, as I don’t like the side effects. Can you suggest any remedies?

HORSE magazine answers: Try using an antihistamine nasal spray and/or eye drops. The manufacturers of Aller-eze claim one spray provides relief for 10-12 hours and that their eye drops take effect in 10-20 minutes. The active ingredient, azelastine, is said to be non-drowsy.

Additionally, you can take the following preventive measures:

• Wear sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes
• When travelling to the yard or to a show, close car windows and consider fitting a pollen filter to the air vent system
• Don’t hang clothes outto dry on high-pollen-count days
• Dry-clean coats regularly and shake them out every day
• Wash your hair every day
• Close bedroom doors and windows in mid-morning and early evening
• Wipe pets down with a wet wipe after they come indoors

The makers of Aller-eze are also launching a pollen-count alert text-messaging service. The first 5,000 people to sign up will receive the first month free, after which it will cost 10p per message. To register, text your full postcode to (tel: 07781 480206).