Your health
All the latest help and advice on living healthily and staying well
How to beat the summer sniffles
May to July is prime hay fever season, when around 20 per cent of the UK population is hit by allergies to airborne grasses or pollens. Many have been coping with the symptoms, such as runny noses, watery eyes and sneezing attacks, even earlier this year as record temperatures caused spring flowers to bloom eight weeks early.
Though you can't avoid pollens totally, you can take precautions. Keep windows and doors closed mid-morning and late afternoon; vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth; avoid drying clothes outside; wear sunglasses; and if you've been out, shower, wash your hair and change your clothes when you come in. Remember, too, there is a range of products available to treat the symptoms of hay fever, including tablets, nasal sprays and eye drops.
Summer specials
Look out for great offers on hay-fever lines in store. From 7 May to 30 June, you can buy one, get one free on the following: Benadyl One A Day 7s (contains cetirizine), Clarityn Allergy 7s (contains loratadine), and Zirtek Allergy Relief Tablets (contains cetirizine). Always read the leaflet/label.
Join the mole patrol
In May, Tesco Pharmacy in association with Screen4Life is launching a Mole Check service in selected Pharmacy stores. From only £25, you can have your moles checked using the latest skin imaging technology. Results are immediate and the process is painless. Even though 100,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year, it can be treated successfully if detected early. The first visible signs may be a change in the normal look or feel of a mole or pigmented lesion. To book an appointment, call 0800 988 6653 or visit www.tesco.com.
Simple checks
To be sure you're as healthy as possible, it's worth having regular check-ups. The new Tesco Health Check service, available at 250 Tesco Pharmacies nationwide, offers weight management, blood pressure check, total cholesterol check and diabetes screening, all for just £20*. Available to everyone over 16 (except pregnant women). Call 0800 505555 to find a Tesco Pharmacy store near you.
* Look out in store for promotional offers
Potted history
It was NASA scientists who discovered that houseplants can help to reduce indoor air pollution. Their study found that certain plants can reduce noxious chemicals, caused by printers, plastics and cleaning products for example, by up to 87 per cent. Star performers include spider plants, devil's ivy and philodendrons (right).