MILLIONS of Brits are facing hay fever hell this week – as wet and sunny weather causes pollen levels to soar.
Warnings for high pollen levels are in place for the whole week in certain parts of the UK – as grass season reaches its peak.
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Sizzling weather followed by rain has created the perfect storm of pollen – with experts warning it could prove deadly.
More than six million Brits are plagued by itchy eyes, a constant runny nose, headaches and irritating sneezes every summer.
And for half of them, deadly asthma attacks are a real threat – triggered by pollen.
The Met Office has warned of high pollen levels across the south of England and Midlands, with the risk at a “medium level” in the rest of the UK.
Unsettled weather
With the weather set to continue being unsettled, the potential for more misery is high.
In particular, sunny intervals will be followed by bleak rain fall throughout the week.
Leading airborne allergens expert and creator of HayMax, Max Wiseberg, said: “The wetter weather forecast for the next few days, after the long dry spell, will cause the grass to flourish and produce loads more pollen, triggering a huge pollen explosion from Monday.”
Sonia Munde, nurse manager at Asthma UK, also told The Sun that warm and wet weather can put some sufferers at risk.
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“Thunderstorms can have a devastating impact on people with asthma and trigger an asthma attack which could be fatal,” she said.
“Humid, stormy conditions break the pollen into much smaller particles, which are then inhaled more deeply into the lungs and can lead to life-threatening asthma attacks.”
Hay fever and asthma are closely linked, with around 80 per cent of people with asthma finding their symptoms are made worse when pollen counts are high.
Grass pollen is the most common allergy and affects 90 per cent of people with hay fever, according to Allergy UK.
The wetter weather forecast after the long dry spell will cause the grass to flourish and produce loads more pollen
Max Wiseberg
The season runs from mid-May until July, with two peaks – usually the first two weeks of June and the first two weeks of July.
But this can vary depending on where you are in the country and how the weather has been during spring and early summer.
There’s currently no cure for hay fever and you cannot prevent it.
However, there are are several things you can do to relieve your symptoms when the pollen count is high…
1. Use vaseline
Dabbing a little bit of petroleum jelly around the edges of your nose works as a barrier to trap pollen before you breathe it in.
A standard tin of Vaseline will do the trick – just smear a small amount around the edge of your nostrils.
2. Try some nasal spray
If you’re struggling with a blocked, itchy or runny nose, a steroid nasal spray might provide you with some extra relief.
They work by reducing the inflammation inside the nose.
It’s best to try and use them for a week or two before you think your symptoms will start as they can take a few days to work, according to NHS advice.
3. Shower more
Pollen can stick around for a while on your skin even after you’ve gone back indoors.
If you have been out in the sun all day then it’s important to make sure you shower afterwards, this will wash away any of the pollen still attached to your skin and hair.
4. Cut down on booze
Beer, wine and other spirits all contain histamine – the chemical that sets off allergy symptoms in the body.
Sick of fighting against runny eyes? The Met Office recommends sticking to the soft stuff where possible to avoid adding any unnecessary allergy pressure.
5. Take your meds at the right time
It may seem obvious for anyone that an antihistamine will help, but it’s actually knowing when to take them that could make the difference.
For most hay fever sufferers, symptoms are worse around midday when pollen levels peak.
So taking the one-a-day anti-allergy tablets first thing in the morning will give you better protection.
But if you are someone who finds they make you drowsy then take it before bed.
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Dr Sarah Jarvis told The Sun: “Part of the problem with hay fever is it depends on when your symptoms start, pollen counts tend to be higher during the day.
“So we normally say if you are going to go out, go out early in the morning or late in the evening as pollen counts tend to be lower then.”
Look for products containing Cetirizine or Loratadine – both of these work to combat allergies without making you feel tired.
