Three in four people believe politicians and policymakers don’t take hay fever seriously enough.

That is according to a new survey from the Asthma Society that found 76% of respondents say they have to cut back on activities because of the illness.

In Ireland, hay fever season begins in spring and can last into the autumn - leading to symptoms like a runny nose, coughing, and sneezing.

Keep safe

Dr Patrick Mitchell from Tallaght University Hospital told Newstalk that being prepared is the best way to keep yourself safe.

“Just shy of 500,000 people have asthma in Ireland and a significant majority of those have hay fever,” he said.

“Unmanaged hay fever is serious and can have serious outcomes in terms of asthma attacks.”

Health officials say hay fever symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath can trigger an asthma attack if not tackled early.

Time off work

Dr Mitchell said the illness often results in people taking time off work.

“One in five people reported that they or their child had missed out on more than three days of work or education in the last year,” he said.

“About 42% of those surveyed said they or their children had missed at least one day of work or education due to hay fever in the last year."

People with asthma are being warned to pay particular attention to hay fever forecasts this year to stay ahead.

Main image: Girl with Hay fever. Image: Chris Rout / Alamy Stock Photo