A father from Milton Keynes claims he has developed an allergy to Nigel Farage that leaves him sweating and shaking whenever he sees the Ukip leader on TV.

Richard Howarth, 35, says he gets so agitated when he sees Mr Farage that he has to immediately change the channel or he becomes ill.

The medical recruitment consultant, who has always had a keen interest in politics, said hearing Mr Farage's voice makes him 'physically sick'.

Scroll down for video

Richard Howarth says he breaks out in a sweat and starts shaking when he sees Ukip leader Nigel Farage

He claims the lead up to the election is a difficult time for him because Mr Farage, who is standing as a candidate in Thanet South and has appeared on TV debates, is on television so often.

He said: 'It's almost like an allergy. The symptoms are similar. When I see him on telly, I sweat a lot and become anxious.

'Thinking about how the party can affect the way my son is going to be able to live his life in the UK makes me worry.

'I end up switching over because he just infuriates me. I'm obviously allergic to Nigel Farage.'

Mr Howarth said he initially watched coverage of Mr Farage to educate himself on Ukip's policies.

'At the start, I did listen to his points but in the end I couldn't,' he said. 'It was not good for my health.

'Seeing him made me weak – I had to lie down. I can't watch him anymore. I don't want to feel ill and anxious.'

Mr Howarth, 35, says he has to change the channel when Mr Farage appears or he becomes physically sick

A phobia expert says it's possible to have a reaction to a politician or person you fundamentally disagree with

Changing the channel usually provides instant relief, but sometimes Mr Howarth gets so frustrated thinking about Mr Farage that it takes him hours to calm down.

'If I do something else and distract myself away from it, I'm fine but otherwise it can be a couple of hours,' he said.

Mr Howarth's wife Catherine, 32, has also told of his reaction.

'He has to turn the TV off or change channels because both seeing and hearing Nigel's voice makes him physically sick,' she admitted, saying she had sympathy for her husband's unusual symptoms.

'He gets anxious and irritable and his hands shake. When he does turn over his symptoms continue for a while.'

Psychologist Dr Rick Norris, author of Think Yourself Happy, said Mr Howarth's reactions sound more like they are the result of a phobia rather than allergy.

Mr Howarth's wife Catherine (right) says her husband gets so wound up by Mr Farage that he starts to shake

Dr Norris said: 'Phobias are irrational fears that cause some kind of avoidance reaction in the people who experience them.

'It is possible to have such a reaction to a politician or person whose views are diametrically opposed to your own.

'Some people can have similar reaction to their boss. They can get very fearful when called into their bosses' office or at the thought of seeing them.