The Met Office has issued a red warning for approximately 25 million people across the United Kingdom. The forecaster has placed three regions under alert, with the National Health Service advising residents to keep their windows closed.
According to the Met Office, London, with a population of about nine million, the South East of England, with 9.6 million residents, and the East of England, home to around 6.6 million people, are expected to experience "very high" levels of pollen this week. This warning comes as temperatures rise across the country, with the mercury set to exceed 30 degrees Celsius in some areas.
Red Warnings in Place
The Met Office has issued red warnings for "very high" pollen in London, the South East of England, and the East of England on Tuesday, June 16. Additionally, separate red warnings are in effect for the East of England on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Data indicates that nearly one in four adults in the United Kingdom suffer from hay fever symptoms, including sneezing, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion when pollen levels are high. Similarly, one in every ten children is affected by the allergy.
What Is Hay Fever?
Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, occurs when the immune system mistakenly treats harmless pollen as a dangerous threat. It is typically more severe during the summer months.
Symptoms of Hay Fever
According to the NHS, symptoms of hay fever 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 the head and forehead
- Headache
- Feeling tired
Symptoms are typically worse during warm and humid months, from late March to September. Pollen counts are usually highest during this period, and hay fever often lasts for weeks or months.
Hay Fever Treatment
The NHS recommends the following measures to alleviate symptoms:
- Apply petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, around the nostrils to trap pollen
- Wear wraparound sunglasses, a mask, or a wide-brimmed hat to prevent pollen from entering the nose and eyes
- Shower and change clothes after being outdoors to wash off pollen
- Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
- Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
- Use a pollen filter in the air vents of the car, if available, and a HEPA filter in the vacuum cleaner
