Hay fever sufferers might be exacerbating their symptoms with a common morning routine.

As the UK welcomes the warmer weather, it also marks the onset of hay fever season for about 20 per cent of Brits, as per NHS data. Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is triggered by an allergic reaction to pollen and tends to peak during the warm, humid, and windy days of spring and summer when the pollen count is high.

The symptoms can vary from mild discomfort to severe issues, including sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, headaches, and fatigue. While there's no absolute cure for hay fever, various treatments are available to alleviate the symptoms. However, prevention is often more effective than treatment.

In light of this, one expert has highlighted a daily habit that could be worsening your hay fever and other allergies, reports the Express. Martin Seeley, from Mattress Next Day, recommends not making your bed immediately after waking up for a specific reason. He explained: "Contrary to popular belief, an unmade bed is less susceptible to trapping pollen and dust mites, those tiny creatures that can trigger a range of health issues, including asthma and allergies." Still, he advises against leaving your bedding crumpled as the trapped moisture needs airing out.

"Many studies show that unventilated bedding, caused by making your bed immediately, can create an environment that leads to higher concentrations of dust mites and their allergic proteins," he continued. If you sleep by a window the sun can help to reduce your exposure to unwanted visitors.

Martin said: "Natural sunlight can play a role in preventing the accumulation of dust mites. Allowing your bedding to remain unmade for a while gives it exposure to natural sunlight. Sunlight has disinfectant properties and can help kill some bacteria and mites, further reducing potential health risks."

His advice is backed by researcher Dr Stephen Pretlove. Speaking to BBC News, he said: "We know that mites can only survive by taking in water from the atmosphere using small glands on the outside of their body. Something as simple as leaving a bed unmade during the day can remove moisture from the sheets and mattress so the mites will dehydrate and eventually die."

According to the NHS, common symptoms of hay fever include:

  • Sneezing and coughing
  • A runny or blocked nose
  • Itchy, red or watery eyes
  • Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
  • Loss of smell
  • Pain around your temples and forehead
  • Headache
  • Earache
  • Feeling tired.

A pharmacist can help recommend treatments and medications for hay fever. But if your symptoms are getting worse and do not ease with these treatments the NHS recommends speaking to your GP.