Generally after this one week period avoid wheat, sugar, salt, food additives, coffee and mucus-forming foods such as dairy produce made from cow's milk, which helps ease the strain on the respiratory system. Eat plenty of organic fruit and vegetables high in antioxidants, to boost the immune system. Try organic rice milk which is non-dairy and low in fat. If symptoms are very severe, try an organic juice fast with added Aloe Vera juice for one day each week to ease the load on the liver. Include raw cabbage in the juice mix as cabbage is rich in Glutamine which helps to heal a leaky gut which is mostly responsible for allergic reactions.

Take 500 mg of pantothenic acid (B5) with a B complex helps to relieve symptoms, take 200 iu of natural vitamin E, which is anti-inflammatory, along with plenty of garlic, which helps to cleanse the sinuses. Bee pollen taken for several weeks prior to the start of the pollen season helps to reduce the allergic reaction. Available from good health food shops. A new supplement called Oralmat made from Rye Grass has proved very helpful for both adults and children - take two to three drops, two to three times a day under the tongue. For details call 0171 436 5122.

Suggested reading: Allergies by Stephen Terrass, £4.99, Thorsons.

Hints: South Coast Environmental produces filters designed to keep the air free of allergens. From £94 for details call 01705 231 3000

Homeopathy has been successful in treating hay fever with remedies such as allium cepa and arundo. Ask for details at your local homeopathic pharmacy or to find a qualified practitioner in your area send a SAE to: The UK Homeopathic Medical Association, 6 Livingstone Road, Gravesend DA12 5DZ.

It is always a good idea to check for food allergies when you suffer severe hay fever and many foods “cross-react” with pollen. See a kinesiologist who can help you to find specific allergens. You can find your nearest practitioner by sending an SAE to: The Academy for Systematic Kinesiology, 39 Browns Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT5 8ST or call 01703 770513 for details of the nearest Vega test (allergy test) practitioner in your area.

Avoid perfume as much as possible and stay away from smoke filled rooms.

The season arrives keep doors and windows closed.

When outside wear sunglasses.

Use an ioniser to help keep the air in your bedroom as clean as possible.

Hazel Courteney is one of Britain's foremost experts in alternative health care - check out his columns in www.Channelhealth.tv for more information.