Here come the lovely sunny days, inevitably accompanied by high pollen counts and all the usual miserable symptoms of reactive skin...

For those prone to hay fever or allergies - as so many of us with sensitive or eczema-prone skin are - the first days of spring can mean the start of constantly streaming eyes, blocked nose, headaches, tiredness, itchy rashes, and constant sneezing.

In an effort to make your life a bit less uncomfortable, here are seven of the most effective strategies we know for for fighting back against seasonal allergens, with a couple of Balmonds heroes pressed into service against the pollen bomb.

1. Use fans, cool water spritzes, or damp cloths on the eyes to cool yourself down - but don’t forget to moisturise afterwards with a gentle unfragranced balm or cream.

2. Smear a fine layer of Skin Salvation around your eyes and nostrils to trap pollen, reducing the amount that gets through to your bloodstream. It'll also act as a gentle barrier to protect sore skin from tears and sneezes.

3. When outside, wear large sunglasses to help protect your eyes from environmental allergens.

4. If you're really sensitive to pollen, try closing your windows and drying your laundry inside; it'll help keep your home and clothes as pollen-free as possible.

5. If you're feeling hot and bothered when your skin is exposed to airborne grass seeds or pollen, try a generous application of nourishing Balmonds Cooling Cream at regular intervals throughout the day. It'll help keep your skin barrier resilient and nourished, and lessen the chance of allergens irritating itchy or broken skin.

6. Allergens can be picked up on clothes and hair, so change your clothes as soon as you get home, and take a lukewarm shower with an extra-gentle, SLS-free wash like our Body, Hand & Hair Wash.

7. Find the right antihistamine: what works for your friends might not work for you, so ask your pharmacist for advice and try a few different ones.