At 26 months, the study found, children developed allergic rhinitis, or hay fever. In rare cases, children may go on to develop a fifth allergy, called eosinophilic esophagitis, by 35 months old.

However, if a fever develops, it’s a sure sign that the cause is not, in fact, hay fever. “Hay fever is a confusing term,” Prof Openshaw says.

Covering your eyes can help reduce hay fever symptoms. "Wraparound glasses stop pollen from entering the eyes," explains Marlene Hochstrasser, clinical director of the Devon Allergy Clinic.

For many people, spring has brought with it the dreaded symptoms of hay fever, such as itchy eyes, sneezing and a stuffy nose. Hay fever is common, affecting up to 42% of people.

While nearly 50% of us have experienced hay fever at some point (according to a study by Allergy UK), it seems that this year, hay fever is hay fevering way harder than usual. In fact, the number ...