Beat SEASONAL SNIFFLES AND REWIND THE YEARS

Get soreness, itching and sneezing under control before they start ageing you

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Struggling with seasonal allergies? Unfortunately, symptoms such as sore eyes and a running nose aren't just annoying - they can also cause premature ageing. 'Although hay fever predominantly affects the respiratory system, skin can become dry and irritated, which can cause it to look aged,' explains pharmacist Abbas Kanani. 'Inflammation can also trigger the breakdown of collagen and elastin, important for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness.' Here's how to ease symptoms and look fresher, fast.

Prevent unwanted wrinkles

Halting hay fever as early as possible is essential as itchy, red or watery eyes can also lead to permanent premature lines. 'Inflammation causes the skin to stretch,' says Abbas. 'Over time, the skin can remain stretched even after the inflammation goes down. The loose skin can develop into permanent wrinkles.' The solution? Over-the-counter medication can be very effective. 'For most people, an antihistamine will be sufficient,' says Holly Shaw, nurse advisor at Allergy UK. 'Medication works by either blocking the allergic response or by reducing inflammation.'

Air aware