Hay fever sufferers may be able to significantly reduce their symptoms such as itchy red eyes and a runny nose by having treatment for three years, new research suggests.

Scientists from Imperial College London found people with hay fever, an allergic reaction to pollen, were able to “suppress” the condition by taking pollen pills or undergoing injections.

However, while a three-year course of treatment was shown to markedly lessen symptoms “for several years”, two years of treatment did not bring the same benefits.

Past studies have shown that exposing patients to increasing amounts of grass pollen over time – a type of immunotherapy – is an effective way to reduce severe symptoms in the long term.

Hay fever has been estimated to affect as many as one in four people across the UK. The majority of these cases are initiated as a reaction to grass pollen.

The new study, published in the journal JAMA, involved patient volunteers at Royal Brompton Hospital in London.

In pictures: Best hay fever remedies, as recommended by The Independent readers Show all 7 1 /7 In pictures: Best hay fever remedies, as recommended by The Independent readers In pictures: Best hay fever remedies, as recommended by The Independent readers @rumdu21 suggested trying a combination of locally grown honey every day all year and nettle tea. Getty Images In pictures: Best hay fever remedies, as recommended by The Independent readers @RonanStrand said: “I always take a couple of Extra Strong Mints and a mug of cold tea when there’s a high pollen count. Works every time!” In pictures: Best hay fever remedies, as recommended by The Independent readers @Paivi_Tenhunen believes people should “drink plenty of water to keep the throat clear of pollen. “Wear sunnies/glasses to reduce the amount that gets into the eyes.” Getty Images In pictures: Best hay fever remedies, as recommended by The Independent readers Angela Jupp advised: “Avoid alcohol ..... boozing always makes hayfever worse the next day.” Getty Images In pictures: Best hay fever remedies, as recommended by The Independent readers Justin Anderson said he has a slightly more unusual method that involves a water pump purchased in France. “[it] pumps saline in one nostril and out the other, washing out the sinuses,” he explained. In pictures: Best hay fever remedies, as recommended by The Independent readers @amyplath1ny said she swears by acupuncture to keep her hay fever at bay. Getty In pictures: Best hay fever remedies, as recommended by The Independent readers If all else fails, Laura Simonite reckons sufferers should just head to a museum. “The clean filtered air is a godsend, although you can't ever leave because it's 10 times worse when you do.” Getty Images

Experts assessed the effectiveness of two different immunotherapies which used grass pollen extract – as an injection or a pill taken under the tongue.

A total of 106 patients were given either injection, tablets or a placebo. Overall, 92 patients completed the study.

After a two-year course of treatment, the results showed that both therapies were effective at tackling symptoms.

But one year after patients had stopped taking the medication the effects were no better than the placebo group.

Lead author Professor Stephen Durham, head of allergy and clinical immunology at the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial and clinical lead for allergy services at Royal Brompton Hospital, said: “This study shows that whereas both immunotherapy treatments were highly effective, two years of treatment was insufficient for long-term benefits.

“Clinicians and patients should continue to follow international guidelines that recommend a minimum of three years' treatment.”

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He added: “You treat patients for three years and then they have a big improvement in their hay fever for several years afterwards.

“Exposing people to grass pollen in this way is a very effective treatment for people who really have debilitating hay fever.”