SAMANATHA Etchells is caught in an endless nightmare of sneezing, coughing, and itchy skin.

The 29-year-old has suffered with hayfever for more than 10 years and has attacks so severe she has days where she is unable to leave the house.

Ms Etchells said the condition has escalated in recent years to the point where she has missed job opportunities and interviews and even major social events.

“It’s taking a massive toll on my health,” she told news.com.au.

“I feel run down, lethargic, have a temperature and get sinus infections.”

Ms Etchells said she has tried every antihistamine on the market and while they provide some relief, are not a lot of help in the long-term for her.

“My symptoms are so severe I’ve had to cancel social engagements and events like barbecues can be too embarrassing for me,” she said.

“I’m hyper sensitive to cats and dogs so going to other people’s houses can be difficult.”

She said while her friends and family mostly understand, she feels the impact of hayfever is downplayed and misunderstood by those who have never experienced it.

With spring fast approaching, Ms Etchells is bracing for worsening conditions.

Seasonal pollens and grass seeds can trigger a range of symptoms not just itchy eyes and a runny nose, but also sinus pain and insomnia.

Ms Etchells is just one of the estimated three million Australians who have hayfever.

A study commissioned by MEDA Pharmaceuticals, found almost 80 per cent of sufferers feel their condition is misunderstood and that it can leave them feeling frustrated, irritable and run down.

One in-five also reported feeling depressed, embarrassed and less confident when symptoms struck.

But the My Hayfever study, which surveyed more than 400 people also found it wasn’t just health where people suffered.

More than half said their hayfever disrupts the sleep of their partner, with one in four saying it interferes with their sex life.

In terms of work, 87 per cent said it affected productivity with almost one in three, 33 per cent, having to take a sick day because of severe symptoms.

According to the survey, 85 per cent of people felt socially withdrawn when they suffered attacks with more than half admitting they have cancelled an event or outing because of it.

Prof Richard Harvey, Program Head and Associate Professor, Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital, University of NSW said the problem was very real for hayfever sufferers.

“Although allergic rhinitis or hayfever is common, the impact can be significant and relentless for a large proportion of patients,” he said.

“Disturbance of sleep is a great marker of a patient with severe hayfever and it is more common than one thinks,” he said.

Do you suffer terribly from hayfever? Body+Soul have a range of tips on dealing with the condition.