The Met Office has issued a red warning for parts of the UK this week as pollen levels rise. The warning is not good news for hay fever sufferers, and the NHS has advised people to keep their windows closed.
Temperature Forecast
Temperatures across the country are forecast to rise, with some areas even reaching 30C, which will be hotter than Ibiza this week. The Met Office's pollen forecast shows that some areas of England will have 'very high' levels of pollen, making it a red pollen warning.
Elsewhere, the pollen forecast ranges from low to high. Wales will have moderate grass pollen levels from Tuesday, June 16 until Friday, June 19. Humid weather is expected across Wales, which causes a high pollen count.
Hay Fever Symptoms
Hay fever is a common incurable allergy to pollen that causes sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes. While you cannot cure it, there are ways to make it more manageable. The symptoms of hay fever according to the NHS include:
- Sneezing and coughing
- A runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, red or watery eyes
- Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
- Loss of smell
- Pain around the sides of your head and your forehead
- Headache
- Feeling tired
Symptoms usually worsen between late March and September, especially when it is warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest. Hay fever can last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after one to two weeks.
NHS Recommendations
The NHS recommends six remedies to ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high, as well as seven things you should not do.
Do:
- Put petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) around your nostrils to trap pollen
- Wear wraparound sunglasses, a mask or a wide-brimmed hat to stop pollen getting into your nose and eyes
- Shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off
- Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
- Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
- Try to use a pollen filter in the air vents of your car, if you have one, and a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner
Do not:
- Cut grass or walk on grass
- Spend too much time outside
- Keep fresh flowers in the house
- Smoke or be around smoke – it makes your symptoms worse
- Dry clothes outside – they can catch pollen
- Let pets into the house if possible – they can carry pollen indoors
You can find more advice about hay fever and how to manage it on the NHS website.
