Lots of people suffer with hay fever at this time of year, but they’ve been urged to stop making a common mistake when taking their medication. It’s vital they take the advice on board

Millions of people across the country struggle with hay fever, and there are straightforward methods available to help ease symptoms effectively. However, what many may not realise is that taking medication incorrectly can have a significant impact, potentially leaving sufferers feeling gloomy.

Timing is more important than you might think, and there are several things worth knowing when it comes to getting the most out of your medication for the benefit of your health. If you have been reaching for your hay fever tablets only once the sneezing begins, you are already too late, according to pharmacist Seema Khatri at Roseway Labs.

This is not the first piece of expert guidance of this nature to have emerged recently either. Just weeks ago, sufferers were also encouraged to avoid making another error.

“Antihistamines work best when taken preventatively, not reactively,” said Seema. “Many people assume one pill gives instant relief, but the reality is, timing and technique really matter.”

For those who are out and about during the day, taking your medication in the morning allows it sufficient time to take effect before pollen levels peak, which typically occurs between late morning and midday. Non-drowsy options such as loratadine or cetirizine generally take between 30 and 60 minutes to begin working, with their effects lasting for 24 hours.

Sneezing, itchy eyes or congestion during the night can be triggered by indoor allergens such as dust mites or pollen drifting in through open windows. If this sounds familiar, taking an antihistamine at bedtime — particularly mildly sedating varieties such as chlorphenamine — can prevent symptoms from disturbing your sleep.

Taking hay fever medication at the incorrect time can hinder symptoms from being adequately managed. This may lead to heightened symptom levels throughout the day, potentially leaving you feeling considerably worse.

She added: “Food can delay absorption. Unless your medicine says otherwise, take it with water at least an hour before or two hours after food for faster relief.”

Many people only reach for antihistamines when symptoms flare up, but by that point your histamine response is already well under way. Taking them daily throughout allergy season helps maintain consistent levels, blocking histamine before it has the chance to cause problems.

Reactions such as bloating, rashes or itching may in fact be caused by excipients — the inactive fillers, binders or dyes used in tablets — rather than the active ingredient itself.

“Sometimes people assume they’re reacting to the medicine, when they’re actually reacting to additives,” Seema said. “A compounding pharmacy can create antihistamines without lactose, dyes or other triggers.”

Persistent or deteriorating allergies may indicate an overactive immune system, fuelled by stress, inadequate sleep, digestive problems or inflammation. Watch for fatigue, brain fog, skin flare-ups or food sensitivities, and consult your pharmacist or GP to explore the underlying cause.

Seema continued: “The immune system is complex, and if it’s overreactive, antihistamines can only do so much. Understanding why your body is reacting more than usual is the key.”

How to identify the root cause

Begin by maintaining a symptom and lifestyle diary. Monitor your sleep, diet, stress levels and any other persistent symptoms such as bloating, skin rashes or low energy. This can help identify patterns or triggers beyond pollen exposure.

Functional tests, including gut health panels, nutrient screenings or hormonal assessments may also prove useful in determining whether deeper imbalances are contributing to histamine sensitivity. Consult a medical professional to establish what might be appropriate in your case.

Seema noted: “You don’t have to just put up with seasonal symptoms. When we look beyond the surface, we often find answers that make a real difference.”

If you are struggling with hay fever, or your health in any other respect, contact your GP. This is the best place to go to for medical advice.

Laura Norton and Mike Parr have helped raise awareness

Emmerdale are marking the UK’s annual Deaf Awareness Week with the help of co-stars Laura Norton and Mike Parr.

The week runs from May 4-10, and Emmerdale have released four informative videos featuring actor Laura Norton (Kerry Pollard) teaching her co-star Mike Parr (Ross Barton) British Sign Language (BSL).

Laura Norton explains: “I was thrilled when the idea for these videos came up. Deaf Awareness Week is important to us, as both of our children have been diagnosed with hearing loss. And they both wear hearing aids.

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“Every deaf person’s experience is different, but one thing that we wanted to do as they got older was learn sign language and teach them to use it as well.

“It’s a wonderful skill to have and it’s a beautiful language and Deaf Awareness Week promotes awareness and inclusivity for the deaf community. I’m also hopeful these videos, although a bit of fun, might encourage people to think about learning to sign too.”

Fellow actor Mike Parr was keen to get involved, adding that he was interested in learning after hearing Laura had been taking lessons.

Mike Parr added: “I was only too happy to agree when I was asked to create a video learning how to sign. Laura is one of the nicest, kindest, most warm, and caring people I’ve ever met. I was already aware that her two children had Usher Syndrome, and I know how important this is to her and her partner Mark.

“Laura is a great teacher, and I found our session quite easy to pick up, although I know I’ll have to practice to retain the information. My beautiful little daughter attends baby sensory classes where they are learning Makaton, so my family – myself, Izzy, and Susie will definitely try and keep it up as much as possible.

“I strongly believe we should learn sign language at school; it would be valuable and as useful as learning French, German, Spanish, or Latin. I’ve loved this experience, and I hope that we could even start a little web series or do a few more instructional videos together. There is a website https://www.british-sign.co.uk/ where you can easily start your BSL journey.”

Both of Laura’s children were diagnosed with Usher syndrome. It causes impairments to hearing and vision, and currently has no cure. Laura and Mark (Jordon) have continuously expressed their dedication to finding a cure, and work closely with the charity Cure Usher, that was founded by Jo Milne.

The actress has previously shared: “In the beginning, it was about our babies. And then you meet other families going through the same thing and it becomes about everyone else.

“It’s such a rare condition and so many people have never heard of it and this community deserves to have people fighting for them and helping raise funds.”

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.

At least three people were killed when a driver lost control and ploughed into spectators at a monster truck event.

Harrowing footage showed the vehicle bouncing over a line of scrap metal before veering right and hurtling into the crowd.

Screams rang out as it mowed down several spectators who were attempting to scramble out of the way.

The incident happened at a monster truck exhibition in Popayan, Colombia.

The driver is believed to have lost control as the modified vehicle landed from a jump, sending it forward, where it hit a light pole.

Bystanders rushed to help the injured as emergency crews went to the scene, where a minor was pronounced dead.

Two others later died in the hospital, and at least 38 people have been injured and taken to hospitals across the city.

Local media had not reported the identities of those involved at the time of the latest update.

Popayán’s mayor, Juan Carlos Muñoz Bravo, said in a statement: ‘We’re deeply saddened by the accident in the Boulevard Rose area, which has so far left more than 38 people injured and three dead.

‘From the outset as mayor, I’ve made all available resources available to support the victims and their families.

‘We’re working closely with hospitals, emergency services and the authorities to ensure people receive prompt, compassionate and dignified care at this difficult time.

‘I’ve given clear instructions for a thorough investigation.. This should never have happened, and the facts will be established with full responsibility and transparency.’

In 2015, a similar incident happened when three people died and 15 more were injured after a monster truck crashed into a crowd of spectators.

Video footage showed the truck breaking through the safety fence just as it was wheeling round and revving its engine in preparation to drive over multiple parked cars.

It took place at a rally in Haaksbergen, a town in the eastern Netherlands.

Haaksbergen’s mayor, Hans Gerritsen, told local media that one of the fatalities was a child, according to Sky News.

Geerlof Kanis, one of the rally’s organisers, told RTV Oost that the safety fences were placed sufficiently far away from the vehicles to keep the crowd safe.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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King Charles is said to be ‘delighted’ over the news

Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank are “very pleased” as Buckingham Palace have announced that the pair are expecting their third child.

The King is said to be “delighted” over the news that the couple will welcome another child this summer. Their sons August, five, and Ernest, two, are also “very excited” with the announcement of a younger sibling.

Eugenie and Jack married in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in October 2018, and welcomed their first child, August, on February 9 2021. His younger brother Ernest was born on May 30 2023.

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On Monday (May 4), Eugenie shared a photograph of Ernest wearing a Chelsea football kit and August donning a long-sleeved grey t-shirt while holding a picture of a baby scan.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their third child together, due this summer.

“August (aged five) and Ernest (aged two) are also very excited to have another sibling join the family.

“His Majesty The King has been informed and is delighted with the news.”

The baby will be born 15th in line to the throne, marking them the 15th great-grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II – marking him or her the third to be born since her death in 2022.

The new arrival will be the fifth grandchild of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, following the birth of Princess Beatrice’s daughter Athena Mapelli Mozzi in January last year.

Mr Brooksbank celebrated his 40th birthday on Sunday, with Eugenie marking the happy occasion of sharing photographs of her husband spending some time relaxing on a beach as she gushed: “happy 40th my love”.

A shooting at a “Sunday Funday” party near Oklahoma City has left at least 12 people in hospital.

Police raced to the scene near Arcadia Lake, a popular spot for camping and water sports, around 9 p.m. after reports shots had been fired.

“This is obviously a very terrifying situation, and we understand the concern from the public and those involved, and we are working extremely hard to find the suspects,” said Emily Ward, a public information officer from the Edmond Police Department said Sunday. ​

Police have yet to reveal the ages of those attending the Sunday Funday party last night, although Ward described the attendees as “young adults.”

Police reportedly told Fox 25 that ‘two men in ski masks’ opened fire at a gathering. ​No suspects have been arrested, and authorities are reviewing footage from Flock license plate reader cameras in order to identify those responsible. ​

“I didn’t see anything, I was in the woods helping a female who said that she got hit,” Armani Kessee, a witness, told News 9.

According to him, the female had been hit by a “stray bullet.”

“We were shining the flashlight on her, trying to check her out,” he said. “It just didn’t work out.”

Kessee added, “It’s very sad to see someone that you know, or that you love just…it’s a very hard thing.”

At least a dozen people were rushed to nearby hospitals, with Ward describing them as being in “various conditions.”

However, the number of those injured could climb as some victims are understood to have driven themselves to get medical attention.​

One victim drove themselves to a nearby OnCue convenience store while seeking help, Fox 25 report.

Patients were still being assessed late Sunday night, a hospital system spokesperson told The Associated Press.

Nine patients were taken to Integris Health Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, with three others being taken to Integris Health Edmond Hospital.

The Edmond Police Department were joined by Oklahoma City Police, the Edmond Fire Department and Oklahoma Highway Patrol at the scene.

Ward told reporters that there was no reason to believe that there was a threat to the public. ​

Arcadia Lake is located 13 miles north of Oklahoma City and is a hotspot for fishing and boating. The artificial reservoir is located in Edmond, a suburb of Oklahoma City.

The Independent has contacted the Edmond Police Department for comment.

“In football, it is difficult to say that one manager inspires you,” began the 36-year-old Davide. “You take things from different managers.

“Pep Guardiola was cutting edge, a pioneer. You cannot forget Jurgen Klopp in the high pressing, in the triggers. If we speak about superiority, you have to mention Roberto de Zerbi in how to find the third man, the small details that he discovered. I am fascinated by the defensive phase of Diego Simeone, by Unai Emery and, of course, my father.

“My father came from the school of Arrigo Sacchi, the zonal defence, the 4-4-2.

“And all of these ideas have influenced my own identity as a manager. This process of creating my own identity as a manager is always an ongoing one. For some people I am like my father, but in truth, I am not exactly like him. I have a similar character, but I am a different kind of manager.

“I don’t think a manager has to be one thing or another. There is always a point in the middle. You adapt to the players, and sometimes to the opponent, but you also need clear ideas on what you like as a manager.

“In the end, the team will become what you emphasise and you emphasise the things you like.”

Homes and businesses won’t receive mail today.

Royal Mail has issued an important notice to households across Wales today. The postal service, which typically delivers letters and parcels to homes and businesses throughout the UK six days a week, has announced a service disruption.

As of Monday, May 4, Royal Mail has confirmed “no deliveries or collections” will take place today. The suspension of postal services is due to the Early May Bank Holiday.

Royal Mail said: “There will be no deliveries or collections of mail on Monday, 4 May.” The firm operated as normal over the weekend, with its standard service running on Saturday, May 2, while Sunday Parcel deliveries were carried out yesterday.

The company explained: “We deliver and collect your mail on most days of the year, including Saturdays. However, we don’t usually deliver or collect on public or local holidays.”

The postal disruption is for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland today, with regular service resuming from Tuesday, May 5, reports the Mirror.

Royal Mail has come under fire over delayed deliveries, with its owner facing scrutiny from MPs. Daniel Kretinsky previously said: “Of course I am deeply sorry for any letters that arrive late.”

Appearing before the Commons Business select committee, Mr Kretinsky added: “It is not perfect, but it is not catastrophic.”

Last month, Royal Mail pledged to achieve its letter delivery targets by May 2027 as part of a £500 million transformation plan. Part-time employees will be given the opportunity to increase their working hours to improve service standards.

The reforms will see Saturday Second Class deliveries scrapped, with postal rounds switching to alternate weekdays — three days one week and two the next.

Royal Mail has stated that the changes, coupled with planned investment, will see First Class Next Day delivery improve to approximately 85% within nine months of the reforms being introduced, before reaching the 90% target set by regulator Ofcom within a year.

The company also pledged to deliver 93% of Second Class letters within three days over a nine-month period, with a commitment to hitting the 95% target by May next year.

Royal Mail was handed a £21 million fine by Ofcom in October for falling short of its targets, having delivered just 77% of First Class post and 92.5% of Second Class post on time in 2024-25.

From April 1, Ofcom reduced the required delivery targets for First Class post — from 93% to 90% for next-day delivery — and for Second Class post, from 98.5% to 95% for delivery within three days.

Alistair Cochrane, chief executive of Royal Mail, said: “We recognise our service hasn’t always been the standard our customers rightly expect and we’re determined to do better.

“The plan we’ve set out today shows how we’ll make a step change in performance across the UK, backed by £500 million of investment over the next five years.”

John Higgins has endured controversies during his glittering snooker career, including a flare-up with the BBC and a ban from the sport

John Higgins holds a legendary status in snooker history as one of the sport’s all-time icons since turning professional in 1992. With an impressive 33 ranking titles to his name, he sits behind only Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Hendry in the record books.

The four-time world champion initially entered the top 16 in 1995, maintaining his spot there for over 29 years. Last week he reached the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship but lost to Shaun Murphy in a thrilling 17-15 defeat.

We examine the Scotsman’s lengthy and dramatic career, which includes a six-month suspension and an acrimonious row with the BBC, while also exploring his views on retirement, his net worth, and his family life.

Ban from snooker

In 2010, Higgins encountered a suspension following News of the World allegations that he had consented to deliberately losing specific frames in matches for financial gain. He was eventually exonerated by an independent tribunal, which instead attributed responsibility to his former business partner, Pat Mooney, who received a lifetime ban despite escaping match-fixing charges on a technicality.

While Higgins was cleared of agreeing to accept a bribe and participating in corrupt or fraudulent conduct, he didn’t emerge completely unscathed. The snooker star was deemed guilty of failing to report an illegal approach and intentionally creating the impression that he was prepared to act in breach of betting regulations.

Consequently, the Scot received a six-month suspension and was fined £75,000, along with additional costs of £10,000. Resolute about returning even “stronger” after his ban, Higgins described the experience as “traumatic” and stated: “It has been made all the more hurtful by the knowledge that I never have, and never would, fix a snooker match.”

Fury with the BBC

Controversy erupted involving Higgins and the BBC after the broadcaster incorrectly identified him as English during a World Snooker Championship encounter in 2022. Throughout a clash with Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, the BBC showed a St George’s Cross next to his name, leaving the passionately proud Scotsman furious.

He raged: “England? Am I allowed to swear? God, they better get that changed pronto. That’s poor isn’t it? That’s really poor from the BBC. Very poor.” The mistake was swiftly corrected the next day, with the Scottish flag displayed during the coverage as Higgins clinched a 10-7 win and advanced to the second round.

Position on retirement

Higgins, 50, seems to have no plans whatsoever to hang up his cue. After his loss to Kyren Wilson in the 2024 World Snooker Championship, he made clear that walking away from the table wasn’t being considered.

“I’m committing to playing snooker now and I’m committing to trying to get back here,” he explained. “I don’t want that to be my final match at the Crucible, so I’ll still be playing snooker. I think it [retirement] is [a long time away].

“There can be other things happening off the table that can be clouding your decisions, but right now it’s a long way away. The sport will have to retire me before I retire myself, simple as that.”

Impressive net worth

While Higgins may not match the wealth of some of his leading rivals, he still commands a considerable net worth that dwarfs the majority of snooker professionals. Casino.org reported in 2024 that Higgins has amassed approximately £8.8million, positioning him as the eighth-richest player in the sport’s history.

The website placed him ahead of Mark Williams, who has an estimated net worth of £7.1m, while retired legend Steve Davis leads the rankings with an estimated £26m. Stephen Hendry is close behind with £25.5m, and Ronnie O’Sullivan occupies sixth spot with £11.2m.

Family life

Higgins has been happily married to his wife Denise since 2010, with their relationship beginning when the pair first encountered each other as teenagers at Wishaw High School. Denise predominantly remains away from the spotlight, yet has proved an invaluable source of support throughout Higgins’s career, providing encouragement during times when his passion for the sport has waned.

The couple share three children: sons Pierce and Oliver, and daughter Claudia, who sometimes join their father at snooker competitions, especially during major championships.

Higgins endured the heartbreaking loss of his father to cancer following a six-year struggle in February 2011. He frantically tried to get back from Berlin, where he had been playing in the German Masters, only to learn the tragic news of his father’s death as he stepped onto a flight home to Glasgow.

He also maintains a close relationship with his in-laws, as demonstrated by his emotional response after his win over O’Connor this week, when he became tearful and needed comforting from presenter Seema Jaswal.

Higgins openly said: “That was the most emotional I have ever been today. I left my wife and I was in tears. Obviously my father-in-law wasn’t great. I was sitting having dinner with my boy last night and I was thinking about sitting here with my dad 25 years ago. I was drained today.

“I had a couple of hours sleep and I came out tonight and felt a lot better and played a lot better. I am still so proud that I am still playing at a good level at this age.”

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This Morning presenter Dermot O’Leary has taken another gastronomic tour of Ireland for his Taste Of Ireland series – and has happened upon what he thinks is one of the greatest towns in the world

With his Taste Of Ireland show now streaming on ITVX, This Morning host Dermot O’Leary has been reminiscing about the family holidays along Ireland’s wild west coast that he enjoyed as a child.

But he also made some fascinating new discoveries as he drove between the various locations of the show. When it comes to finding the best of a country, Dermot says, the trick is not to rush.

“We have this brilliant producer called Conall, who was our fixer over there,” Dermot told broadcaster Holly Rubenstein on her Travel Diaries podcast. “Conall is amazing, he’s brilliant. It’s always great to have a local fixer.

“But the problem with a local fixer is, they are used to seeing what they’re seeing. So he’d happily drive 70 miles an hour through the most beautiful part of the island. So I kept saying to him, would you just slow down?”

One of the spots that Dermot found, once he had persuaded Conall to take his foot off the gas, was an especially picturesque town in County Antrim.

Dermot told Holly: “I think my favourite town was a little town called Ballycastle, which is this gorgeous little beach town, almost straight out of New England.

“You know, it’s a real, not clapboard. It was very Irish, but full of lovely independent bakeries and shops.”

He added that Ballycastle, which lies at roughly the midpoint of the Causeway Coastal Route and sits an hour north of Belfast, would be the kind of town that would be great to grow up in.

Dermot is by no means the first to praise the virtues of the town. Ballycastle has been featured by The Sunday Times on their “Best Places To Live” list, and has been previously crowned the overall regional winner for Northern Ireland.

One of the town’s notable features is a sculpture, sited close to the beach, depicting the legendary Children of Lir.

And Lir is also the name of one of Demot’s all-time favourite restaurant, about half an hour up the road in Coleraine.

He continues: “They’re sort of nose to tail seafood, which is pretty much my idea of heaven… the dips for the mayo and aioli at the start were like pollock skin or cod skin or something. It’s just like crispy, deep crispy, really salty, really good.”

It’s the quest for great restaurants and local specialities that drives Dermot’s Taste of Ireland, which started its second series on Saturday May 2.

The show’s first episode saw Dermot set off on gastronomic tour of the island of Ireland, beginning at Blackhead Lighthouse in Co Antrim, taking in the sweeping views before taking a tour along the Causeway Coastal Route.

In the Glens of Antrim, he joins a sixth-generation farmer preserving traditional methods on his heritage farm, then continues on to Glenarm Castle, where chef Paula McIntyre fires up the smoker for some world-famous Glenarm beef, paired with a vibrant runner bean salad.