Hay fever hell to continue for second week as pollen levels soar – 4 tips to survive | The Sun
THE HAY fever hell is far from over, as pollen levels will continue to peak across the UK this week.
After a testing week for hay fever sufferers, the Met Office warns things don’t get much better over the next few days.
Its pollen forecast shows England, Wales and Northern Ireland will have “very high” pollen counts from Monday to Thursday.
It will only ease up a little on Friday for Northern Ireland, North West England, East Midlands, and East of England.
Meanwhile, Scotland will have a mix of medium to high levels over the next five days.
The Met Office said pollen will rise “substantially” in warm weather.
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On Thursday Brits look set to scorch in 27C, according to the Met Office, although temps will only hit 22C tomorrow.
The simmering temperatures have been caused by high pressure and roasting 40C air flowing up from Spain and Portugal on the Iberian Peninsula.
During the summer months, people with hay fever are allergic to grass pollen, as opposed to tree pollen which strikes in the spring.
Hay fever is one of the most common allergic conditions, thought to affect an estimated 10 million people in England.
Dr Rhianna McClymont lead GP at digital healthcare provider, Livi, said: “Hay fever is a type of allergic rhinitis – irritation and inflammation mainly in the nose and eyes as a response to something that triggers the immune system.
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“In the case of hay fever, it’s an allergy to pollen in the air – tree pollen, grass pollen, and other plants can cause problems.
“When we have an allergic reaction, our body naturally releases chemicals called histamines as part of a natural protective response.
“Sometimes when we’re exposed to an allergen, like pollen, our body’s response is excessive and makes us feel unwell.
“Some people are more susceptible to these kinds of allergic response than others – this seems to be down to a combination of lifestyle, genetic and environmental factors.”
How to survive the pollen bomb
The easiest way to reduce hay fever is to simply avoid going outdoors, and keeping the windows shut.
However, it’s not practical for most people, especially over a whole week.
What treatment you use in the fight against hay fever will depend on your symptoms, which may include sneezing, a runny nose, itching and feeling tired.
“Treating hay fever can be done effectively at home and for most people, following the below steps will be sufficient in helping you manage the symptoms,” said Dr McClymont.
- Use over-the-counter treatments
Dr McClymont said: “Your local pharmacy is usually a good first port of call for hay fever relief.
“There are ample options on the market and a variety of ways to ingest the medicine.”
Over-the-counter treatments range from antihistamine tablets to eye drops and nasal sprays.
2. Plan ahead
Dr McClymont said: “Take notice of which days are likely to be worse than others.
“Dry, windy days when the pollen count is high are particular culprits for causing hay fever, and you can take antihistamines in advance.
“You can usually find the pollen forecast on the weather report.”
3. Keep clothes clean
“Doing laundry and showering after you’ve been outside on high pollen days can help with signs of hay fever,” Dr McClymont said.
She also advised being wary of pets, who carry pollen spores on their fur.
“For pets, especially dogs, pollen may get trapped in their fur after rolling around in the grass or running through plants,” Dr McClymont said.
“If this is a case, giving them a good clean can help get rid of the pollen.”
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4. Dry clothes indoors
If you are a hay fever sufferer, hanging laundry on the line outside is one of the worst things you can do to yourself.
It “will increase the amount of pollen you’re exposed to”, said Dr McClymont, as she said “opting for indoor drying can help reduce the risk of contamination”.
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