UK heading to 'worst day of the year for hay fever' as pollen count soars (2024)

FAQs

When is hay fever season in the UK? ›

From about March until May, the blossoming of trees such as hazel and birch creates the first wave of symptoms for some pollen allergy sufferers. From May until July grass pollen forms the bulk of the UK's pollen load. Weed pollen (such as dock and mugwort) starts to occur from June and can last well into the autumn.

It's likely a changing climate will impact pollen patterns in at least three ways: A changing climate will mean that changes in temperature and rainfall may lengthen the UK pollen season and potentially make pollen concentrations higher.

It can be triggered by allergens in the air around us, like grass, tree, plant pollen and mould. Between May and July, during the traditional growing season, trees and plants create more pollen, and this, together with warmer more humid temperatures and winds, can bring about a spike in our symptoms.

How many of us in the UK are impacted by allergies? The UK has one of the highest prevalence rates of allergic conditions on the planet, with 1 in 3 of us living with allergies and hay fever. That's around 21 million people in total, with all age groups impacted by hay fever symptoms in the UK.

Grass and nettle pollen currently airborne during warm, dry weather.

It could be the summer of sneezing for allergy sufferers in the United States with AccuWeather predicting an "intense and prolonged" pollen season for large parts of the country.

Some of the strongest over-the-counter antihistamines include Cetirizine, Loratadine, and Fexofenadine. These newer, second-generation antihistamines are highly effective at managing hayfever symptoms, causing fewer side effects than older, first-generation options.

Many antihistamine tablets are available over the counter for the treatment of hay fever, including cetirizine, fexofenadine and loratadine. You may be more familiar with the brand names that these medicines are sold under, such as Clarityn, Zirtek, Benadryl and Piriton.

Grazax® is used to reduce allergic reactions to grass pollen. We might recommend this treatment if: you have a severe allergy to grass pollen. your other medicine does not control your symptoms well.

'Generally speaking, living near the sea will give you a lower pollen count. ' Another good option, Dr Emberlin says, are 'areas of moorland, or upland, where there is more heather and less grass'. So where are the worst locations to put down roots as a hay fever sufferer?

What country has the most hayfever? ›

Australia and New Zealand have some of the highest hay fever rates in the world, making them two of the worst places to live with allergies. Location plays a significant role in hay fever, which is why some people can be unaffected their whole life until they move.

Zyrtec. Zyrtec (cetirizine) is the strongest of the second-generation antihistamines, says Dr. Garcia-Ibáñez. And because there is less chance of toxicity with this medication, the dosage can be increased substantially, at the discretion of your doctor, he says.

Most people associate hay fever with spring, when airborne grass pollens are at their peak. This is known as seasonal allergic rhinitis or spring hay fever. However, hay fever can occur at any time of the year. When symptoms occur all year round, this is known as perennial allergic rhinitis.

Hay fever triggers

Grass pollen, which is common in late spring and summer. Ragweed pollen, which is common in fall. Dust mites and co*ckroach droppings, which are present year-round. Dander from pets, which can be bothersome year-round but might cause worse symptoms in winter, when houses are closed up.

Seasonal allergies are sometimes called "hay fever" or seasonal allergic rhinitis. These allergy symptoms happen during certain times of the year, usually when trees, grasses, and weeds release tiny pollen particles into the air to fertilize other plants.