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Summer is just around the corner, and while some people are stocking up on sun cream, many more are arming themselves with tissues.

And this year, experts are warning hay fever suffers to be prepared for one of the worst allergy seasons in recent times.

According to Yale University, many trees and flowers are expected to bloom at the same time this year, creating a sudden burst of different types of pollen.

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Around 20 million people in the UK are expected to suffer hayfever symptoms this summer, up a third from last year, experts told MailOnline

'In Connecticut and the Northeast, beginning in February and lasting until June, several types of trees — particularly birch, maple/box elder, oak, juniper/cedar, and pine trees — produce pollen that can trigger allergy symptoms,' said Dr Tao Zheng from the Yale School of Medicine. 

For those with hayfever, Dr Zheng advises keeping windows closed during pollen season, especially in the day. 

'Stay indoors during midday and afternoon hours when pollen counts are highest,' she added.

'Take a shower, wash hair, and change clothing after working or playing outdoors to remove allergens that collect on clothes and hair.'

A new oral allergy immunotherapy was approved in the US last year called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) allergy tablets. Dr Zheng says it could provide new hope for sufferes.

Rather than shots, SLIT involves giving the allergens in a liquid or tablet form under the tongue on a daily basis.

'The treatment is only effective for the allergen contained in SCIT or allergy tablets,' says Dr Zheng. 

'If an individual is allergic to ragweed and trees, the ragweed tablets/shots would only help control symptoms during ragweed season. 

'The primary side effects of allergy tablets are local reactions such as itching or burning of the mouth or lips and, less commonly, gastrointestinal symptoms. These reactions usually stop after a few days or a week.'

Dr Jean Emberlin, a leading pollen expert, told MailOnline: 'If we get prolonged periods of warm, dry weather with intervals of some wet weather between, which helps the grass to keep growing, we will experience a lot of high grass pollen counts 

Who's most likely to be affected by hayfever and the symptoms

'High and very high pollen counts can trigger hayfever symptoms in people who have not had them before.

She said: 'In addition, the good weather typically brings increases in air pollution, which can make symptoms worse, and again lead them to occur in people who have been symptom free before.'

Globally, average surface temperatures have increased by about 0.7°C over the past 100 years, leading to earlier plant growth in many regions.

The trend towards warming has been more pronounced in winter months, resulting in more changes in the timing of spring pollen seasons than those of summer and autumn.

By 2030, Dr Emberlin predicts there will be 31.8 million sufferers in the UK as the situation will worsen. 

In the US, roughly 7.8 per cent of people 18 and over in the U.S. have hayfever. Worldwide, hayfever affects between 10 and 30 per cent of the population.

In preparation, hayfever sufferers are being encouraged to take action, stocking up on antihistamines and other treatments to lessen the impact of their symptoms. 

Dr Jean Emberlin said: High and very high pollen (pictured under the microscope) counts can trigger hayfever symptoms in people who have not had them before'

Steroids are often used to treat hayfever, but they are best taken before the onset of symptoms,' said Dr Emberlin.

'Antihistamines are also commonly used and it is a good idea to get them in and ready to use when the season starts.

'If you have got a big event, like exams or a wedding coming up you can ask your GP to prescribe a short course of steroid tablets to keep symptoms at bay.

'There are lots of options available, the key is just to be organised and ensure you are prepared.

'On days you know the pollen count is high make sure you take antihistamines before you leave the house, and wear sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes.

'Make sure you wash your clothes regularly and don't sleep with the window open.'

Dr Emberlin said pollen counts can suddenly surge if conditions are right.

'A warm day with a slight breeze can signal the perfect conditions for spores to infest the air, causing pollen levels to surge,' she warned. 

Sick of hayfever? A solution could be at hand