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Along with BBQs and al fresco pints, warmer weather also means the start of hay fever season.

If you’ve been sneezing more lately, you’re not alone. Despite the pollen count being low over the bank holiday weekend, sufferers online complained of a ‘pollen bomb’

‘I was sneezing every minute,’ wrote one fed up commenter on TikTok. While another added: ‘Everyone was choking on pollen.’

And Piers Morgan took to X to report he was ‘wheezing, sneezy, fog-brained.’

The Met Office is only reporting low to medium pollen counts into the weekend, but the spring and summer months can be a difficult time for those susceptible to hay fever, with tree pollen season now in full swing (typically occurring from late March to mid-May).

Going outside with hay fever often involves tissues and antihistamine, but even indoor spaces can be tricky during the warmer months.

Experts have shared some handy tips, on how to reduce pesky pollen in your homes and keep symptoms at bay.

Keep doors and windows closed

As the weather heats up, it’s tempting to throw open the doors and window to bask in the sunshine.

But this can be problematic for hay fever sufferers – as pollen can blow in and land all over the house.

Adam Pawson, from Safestyle, says: ‘Keeping windows and doors closed is one of the easiest and most effective ways to minimise the amount of pollen entering your home.

‘If you do need to open windows, try to do this overnight when the pollen levels are much lower and close them again once you wake up.’

Up frequency of light cleaning

A bit of light dusting around the house can go a long way during pollen seasons – especially near windows.

Helen O’Connor, a product manager at 247 Blinds, says: ‘Ideally, you should clean your blinds once a month to get rid of any dust or pollen that may be lingering on the surface. If you have roller blinds or roman blinds, just give them a soft dusting and gentle vacuum once a month. 

‘Venetian blinds or plantation shutters can have a more thorough clean. Wipe down each slat using a damp cloth and some washing up liquid, then finish up with a quick dusting to ensure they’re pollen-free.’

Stay on top of laundry 

Experts say washing your bedding once a week will help reduce trapped pollen sticking to your linens. So to eliminate allergens, put your bed sheets on a hot wash at least once a week.

Also if you’ve spent the day outside – particularly on the grass – be sure to change and shower when you come home and pop those clothes in the wash. This will stop the pollen coming into your house, too.

Remove pollen from your skin

We know washing pollen off clothes is important – but the same goes for our skin.

Mia Moseley-Smith, skincare expert at skincare retailer Face the Future, says: ‘If you struggle with seasonal allergies, it’s important to cleanse the skin as soon as you can to help minimise symptoms. 

‘If you are wearing makeup or SPF you should double cleanse, starting with a micellar cleansing water to initially remove the majority of makeup and SPF from the skin, before following with a gentle cream or gel cleanser to fully clear your pores of dirt.’

Brush your pets hair daily

‘With dogs frequently going outside, they are prone to bringing in pollen which sticks to their fur. This means giving your dogs a thorough daily, or even twice daily, brush key in helping you deal with symptoms of hay fever,’ explains Catrin George, from Animal Friends Insurance.

Some dogs even suffer from seasonal allergies themselves – including sneezing and watery eyes.

Brushing your dog regularly will help get rid of this pollen-trapped fur – and might not only help you, but your four-legged friend, too.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

Sainsbury’s has become the latest supermarket to install cameras on self-service checkouts, with one major difference: you can watch yourself back VAR-style.

The new tills record shoppers as they scan their items, then playback video clips where you’ve failed to scan a barcode properly.

Customers will receive a warning, stating: ‘It looks like that last item didn’t scan. Please check you scanned it correctly before continuing.’

On social media, one disgruntled shopper called the move ‘more big brother tactics with more surveillance’ while others called for a boycott.

The update has been introduced in a bid to tackle the rising problem of shoplifting faced by supermarkets.

Why are supermarkets cracking down on theft?

Recent data from the Office for National Statistics shows that the number of shoplifting offences in England and Wales rose by 20% last year.

A total of 516,971 offences were recorded, compared to 429,873 in 2023. In London alone, offences rose from 58,000 to nearly 90,000 in 2024.

The rising cost of living will explain some incidences, but Metro recently spoke to ‘casual kleptos’ who can afford food, but feel entitled to steal from big businesses.

Matilda, 25, from London, told us: ‘I’ll take things that are quite small and will go in my bag. Like cheese or halloumi or toothpaste. Just things that are quite small but kind of expensive.

‘I like to give myself three for two deals. I’ll pay for two things and steal one.’

Cases like this add up though. Crime cost retailers £4.2 billion last year, according to data from Grocery Gazette. That figure includes £2.2bn from shoplifting losses and a further £1.8bn spent on crime prevention measures, such as CCTV, additional security personnel, anti-theft devices and body worn cameras.

Interestingly, grocer chain Booths pledged to remove its self-service checkouts last year to improve customer satisfaction and tackle losses. MD Nigel Murray recently said the reversal has actually caused a reduction in theft, because so-called ‘middle-class’ shoplifters had been incorrectly scanning or weighing goods, sometimes inadvertently.

What do customers think of the new checkouts?

Author and social commentator Carl Vernon recently posted a YouTube video about the new Sainsbury’s checkouts to his 51,000 subscribers.

One viewer, @TheRailwayTourManager, accused the supermarket of punishing ‘law abiding members of the public’.

‘It’s like a bad manager at work, who, because ONE person has done something they shouldn’t, everyone gets tarred with the same brush and has some sort of restriction or sanction imposed on them,’ he said. ‘Deal with the person causing the issue, not make everyone else suffer for something they didn’t do!’

User @_indrid_cold_ went as far as calling for a boycott, saying: ‘I would never dream of stealing, but I detest and deeply resent what’s happening now in supermarkets.

‘I just wish that the public could be a bit more organised and properly boycott them until they get the message and take their intrusive spyware away.’

Dozens of commenters said they refuse to use self-service checkouts full stop, with @lairdkilbarchan joking: ‘Sainsbury’s should offer a bonus for shoppers who also stack their own shelves. Do a pallet of beans and double your points!’

Sainsbury’s did not respond directly to the criticism of the new tills, but a spokesperson told Metro: ‘We regularly review the security measures in our stores and our decisions to implement them are based on a range of factors, including offering our customers a smooth checkout experience.’

After a week of sunny weather across the UK, there was only one thing for it this weekend: booze.

And when you know you’ve not got to get up for work on a Bank Holiday Monday, things can escalate pretty quickly.

So if you’re currently coming too this AM with a raging hangover, you’re no doubt praying for a miracle cure.

We all have our own hangover remedies – each with varying results – but if you’re looking for a breakfast cure that’s backed by science, we’ve got you covered.

Nutritional therapist Cara Shaw explains that your recovery breakie should do two key things: firstly, you need to get your blood sugar back at a normal level, and secondly, you want to support your poor liver, which is doing the bulk of the work in breaking down that alcohol.

‘If you’ve been boozing all day long, particularly on lots of beer or high sugar cocktails or sugary mixers, it’s likely that your blood sugar will be going haywire into the early hours,’ says Cara.

‘In order to support your blood sugar first thing, eat breakfast within 90 minutes of waking, but be sure to opt for a high protein option.

‘When it comes to the liver, the alcohol will be putting a lot of pressure on the liver so detoxification will need additional support. You can get this from adequate protein but also B vitamins and antioxidants.’

So, what should you be cooking up in the kitchen? Well, put the bacon sandwich aside, the best breakfast is packed full of veggies.

Cara says the perfect hangover breakfast is:

• 3 eggs cooked any way you like
• ½ cup of sautéed mushrooms in olive oil
• ½ avocado
• A sprinkle of feta
• A handful of cooked tomatoes
• Drizzle of olive oil

And here’s what each component can offer you:

• Eggs are a good source of protein and rich source of choline which supports liver detoxification
• Mushrooms are a good source of B vitamins which support the liver.
• Avocado is a healthy fat that’s rich in nutrients like potassium and vitamin E, along with fibre to help eliminate toxins.
• Feta provides extra protein and a source of B12 to give you energy after a rough night.
• Cooked tomatoes provide antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties to help negate the effects of alcohol.
• Olive oil provide polyphenols and lots of anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce the oxidative stress that excessive alcohol can cause.

Cara also recommends a cup of Matcha to wash your breakie down. ‘Matcha is much lower in caffeine than coffee and is absolutely packed with antioxidants to give the body a boost,’ she says.

‘I love Dirtea Matcha. My top tip is to have your caffeinated drink after a meal to ensure it doesn’t spike your cortisol levels, even more important when hungover.’

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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We love an accessory, specifically a handbag, as we think it is the finishing touch to complete any outfit, no matter the occasion. 

While we may have designer taste, we also have a lemonade budget, and can’t justify spending hundreds of pounds on a designer handbag, as much as we desperately wish we could.  We have searched high and low to find the best designer-looking bags from high street stores, such as M&S, River Island, and Mango. Our latest find may just be the best lookalike yet. 

Mango is selling the Oval Shoulder Bag, which initially retailed for £45.99, but is on sale for £29.99, which makes a saving in itself.  The must-have arm-candy is a very similar alternative to Staud’s Moon Bag, which fetches £285, so shopping Mango’s alternative could save you even more. Say less!

Mango Oval Shoulder Bag

The Oval Shoulder Bag is oval shaped with a curved handle. It features a shoulder strap you can wear as a handbag, or over the shoulder by extending the strap. It features a zip fastening to secure your valuables in place. The faux leather design has been crafted from polyurethane and features a polyester lining. It measures 10.24 x 14.96 x 2.36inches, and is available in three colours, including off white, black and medium brown.

BUY NOW FOR £29.99 (WAS £45.99)

Staud Moon Bag

Staud’s Moon Bag has been crafted from 100% cow leather, and features a suede inner lining. The oval shaped bag features a curved top handle that can be held as a handbag or over the shoulder. The handle is fitted with a removable button case to protect the strap. It features a magnetic clasp opening to access the contents inside. Available in 10 colours and textures, as well as a miniature version.

BUY NOW FOR £285

Both Mango and Staud’s bags feature a curved top handle and an oval-shaped body, which is a welcome alternative to square, rectangular, or barrel handbags we have worn of late.  

The short top handle on both designs makes it easy to carry as a handbag, or slip over the arm and place on the shoulder. 

The Mango design features an additional seam along the upper section on the body of the bag, which supports the rigid structure of the design and prevents it from collapsing in, at least that’s what we think it functions to do. Though Staud’s design lacks this additional feature, both bags appear to have the same thickness around the body of the bag, and offer a robust structure. 

Mango’s bag features a zip fastening, whereas Staud’s has a magnetic fixture.  Admittedly, we prefer the former to ensure our belongings don’t fall out of the bag, and are out of reach of wandering hands. 

The Staud handbag features a detachable clasp fixture around the top handle, though if this is removed it would be difficult to tell the difference between both designs. 

One stark difference (aside from the price) is the fabric. Mango has crafted a faux leather design from polyurethane, and has a polyester lining. On the other hand, Staud’s creation has been created from cow’s leather and features a suede inner lining – hence the hefty price tag. However, Staud has also created raffia designs, which are perfect for the summer months and beach breaks. 

Mango’s handbag comes in three timeless colourways, black, medium brown and off-white, while Staud’s Moon Bag comes in 10 colours and prints. 

For a saving of £255.01 to be exact, it’s safe to say Mango’s Oval Shoulder Bag gets our seal of approval for daytime and evening wear.

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From the moment I made the decision to shave my head, I knew that, at some point or another, negative comments would be made.

But I never expected to be on the receiving end of them so soon. 

Mere weeks after that first shave, two strangers commented on my new ‘do’. 

‘Look at her, she looks awful with her hair like that,’ one quipped.  

‘Why would you do that to yourself?’ The other responded. 

My whole body tensed before I even saw them looking at me. And while I wish I could say I turned around and gave these women a piece of my mind, instead all I could do was stare at them in quiet disbelief. 

It’s never OK to dissect someone’s appearance, especially when you don’t know a thing about them. And judging me for shaving my head surely is the lowest of lows? 

I first experienced hair loss when I was 15 years old. I had one small patch at the nape of my neck that I discovered one day while staying at my then boyfriend’s house.  

As much as I tried to stay calm about it, I was deeply embarrassed, not to mention clueless as to why it had happened. My mum thought it could be due to stress, though I didn’t feel particularly stressed until after I found the patch.  

It soon grew back though and, as it never developed into a persistent issue at that point, I convinced myself I must have yanked it out while styling my hair. Before long, I forgot all about it. 

The next time I found a bald spot I was 32 and it was much bigger. 

I was in the downstairs bathroom of our Cornwall holiday cottage, ran my fingers through my hair and felt naked skin at the back of my head. 

I hadn’t noticed more hair shedding than usual prior to this, yet there it was under the harsh light of the bathroom as I angled my phone to take a photo.  

What I hoped would be an unpleasant one off experience again, then turned into a regular occurrence. I’d discover a bald patch, it would eventually grow back, then just when it was barely visible I’d discover a new spot elsewhere.   

And so began my two year battle with hair loss. 

I became obsessed with my hair, constantly asking myself, ‘Am I shedding more in the shower? Is this a new patch?’ 

I’d also take photos of the patches and zoom in to look for growth; I’d buy expensive shampoos and serums that did nothing; I purchased satin pillow cases, hair bonnets, and supplements – anything to help stop it from happening.

In fact, the only thing stopping me from shaving my hair off at that point was a comment an ex-friend had made – she’d said I’d look ugly and it had haunted me ever since. 

Eventually, I came to learn that I have alopecia areata. 

Although I’ve never had an official diagnosis of the condition, I know from thorough research that this is what I have as it’s identified as ‘an autoimmune condition’ consisting of ‘patchy hair loss’, typically appearing as ‘roundish patches varying in size’.  

Not to mention my new hairdresser agreed I had all the hallmarks of the condition. 

The exact reason for hair loss varies from person to person, though stress is often an underlying factor. And as someone who is constantly anxious – I wish I was exaggerating – it’s unsurprising that all that stress has now physically caught up with me.  

That’s why, in late February, I finally decided to brave the shave.  

When I walked out of the hairdressers with a freshly shaved head. I was nervous, sure, but I also felt elated. 

I’d done it. I’d taken back control of the narrative, given the middle finger to patriarchal beauty standards, and felt confident for the first time in a long time.

And then, two weeks later, I heard those women.  

Despite looking right at them, they seemed unperturbed and soon resumed their discussion in hushed tones. I, on the other hand, felt vulnerable.

I was completely alone, hundreds of miles from home in the Isle of Wight on holiday, and suddenly wished that I could shrink away and disappear. 

About to meet my partner, I greeted him with a forced smile and hurriedly directed him back towards our car. I knew I was going to cry, but I refused to do it where anyone, especially those women, could see me. 

Only when I sat in the passenger seat did I let the tears go. I felt stupid, like I’d made a huge mistake in believing I could pull off a shaved head, annoyed and sad.

All I wanted to do for the rest of the holiday now was hide away. However, I also didn’t want those women to win.

In the end I pushed past it and spent the day with my partner on the beach simply watching the world go by. And in that serene silence I realised something important: We shouldn’t live to serve other people’s ideas of beauty, nor should our appearance be a topic of discussion.   

Yes, I could have shaved my hair on nothing more than a whim, but I could have also been living with cancer, or, like I am doing, living with an autoimmune disease that attacks my hair follicles.  

Bottom line, you never know what someone has gone through, so treat them with kindness no matter their appearance. 

Luckily I’ve been able to move forward and embrace this new look, this new me, and I genuinely adore everything about how my shaved head looks and feels now.

I know other cutting remarks will come. But this time, I’m ready for them.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk. 

Share your views in the comments below.

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Coming out as transgender has been a lot like coming out with having multiple sclerosis (MS).

They happened at different stages of my life but have some key similarities: NHS waiting times for treatment, adjusting to a new reality, and even people thinking it was a death sentence!

It’s been a long road to get to where I am today.

There wasn’t one specific day where I realised I was trans. It was like an hourglass, the grains building up over time.

I do have a memory from 1992 of seeing a trailer for a BBC documentary series called A Change of Sex about a woman called Julia Grant; at seven years old, I remember thinking, ‘I’m not the only one!’ I went to bed feeling a lot less alone.

In my teens and early adulthood, I talked to close friends about wanting to transition but feared I’d be disowned or rejected by family and friends.

As I got older, I’d take a change of clothes with me on nights out and do my makeup in nightclub bathrooms. Then, at university, I made some really supportive friends and outings to gay clubs and fetish nights followed.

I started to think more seriously about transitioning when I moved to Manchester in my mid-twenties. I was in a metal band but I’d already changed my name and talked about wanting to transition often enough that it didn’t surprise my bandmates. 

Whenever I thought about the future, I was a woman. Every time I caught sight of myself, my appearance made me sad. I could barely stand to look at myself.

When an old friend asked me if transitioning would help me find the peace he could see I’d never had, it moved me to tears and I quietly nodded ‘yes’.

It took a bit of time for all of my friends and family to come around. There were some negative reactions: Some people acted like I was dying, even though I’d never felt more alive. 

There were also thoughtful and considered responses, too, like those from female friends who congratulated me and asked if I’d like some of their old clothes. Another friend told me that he was aware I would be more vulnerable and if I ever needed any support, he’d be there. I loved him for that.

Unfortunately, I had to wait two years before I was seen at a gender clinic, and it wasn’t easy. I got verbal abuse and glass bottles, rocks and bricks thrown at me from passing cars several times. Twice, I had to run for my life away from gangs of angry lads.

But my transition has been beautiful in many ways: My body has changed, which has been a joy. My skin is much softer and I’d swear my sense of smell has improved.

And back at the start of it, I couldn’t have predicted what my next journey would be. 

In my mid 30s, I started to notice a slight propensity to pee more, then a strange little tingle in my left leg.

I went to the doctors a few times but was passed around. I had scans on my legs, was checked for different infectious diseases, hernias and musculoskeletal disorders, and eventually my case was passed to the neurology service. 

When I finally got a diagnosis of MS (a neurological condition affecting the brain and spinal cord) in 2022 aged 37, it was almost a relief. I felt validated.

MS isn’t curable, but it is treatable – in my case with a disease modifying therapy called ocrelizumab. And because I’d already gone through such a big change in my life 10 years before, I knew what to expect.

I have a type called primary progressive (PPMS), which means my symptoms get worse over time. It has severely impacted my ability to walk and I’m now a full-time wheelchair user, but I’m still able to take a few steps and transfer in and out of my chair.

To an extent, it’s made it more difficult to participate in the LGBTQ+ community, as a lot of it revolves around drinking, which I now can’t do. Even if I wanted to go to bars and not drink, they’re often not wheelchair accessible.

But being disabled and trans has brought so many positives to my life. It has deepened my relationships – I’ve learned more about empathy and solidarity than I ever thought I would and my nearest and dearest demonstrate them to me every day.

I’ve always loved to cook but I can’t stay on my feet while kneading, frying or chopping so one of my partners will do that while I keep an eye on the hob and the recipe. 

My other partner gives me daily knee and ankle massages as these are my most affected areas. It helps to prevent leg spasms that would otherwise keep me awake.

I think about intersectionality a lot.

A trans person in a wheelchair may have a very different experience of interacting with the NHS or the police if they have darker skin, for example. I host a podcast called What the Trans, which calls out misinformation in the media and offers people empowering tools to take action.

I also recently hosted a podcast series for the MS Society about living with PPMS. It was validating to hear stories of people with PPMS as we only make up 10-15% of everyone with the condition. Again I thought, ‘Thank god for that, I’m not the only one’.

It was also interesting to hear how vastly different MS can be for everyone; I talked to people whose symptoms were radically different from mine, like someone whose MS began in their vision, rather than in their legs.

In the podcast, you can also hear a conversation between me and Dr Cora Sargeant who is also trans, and has MS and a podcast! What are the chances?

I don’t know exactly how the rest of my life will look but I remind myself that the one constant in the universe is change.

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