Itchy eyes? Can't stop sneezing? A tickle in your throat? Many people across the UK have been suffering from these typical hay fever symptoms over the last week.
More than 10 million Brits suffer from hay fever, which is an allergy to airborne pollen particles released by plants, usually worst between March and November. Different pollen types include grass, weed, and tree, and individuals can be allergic to specific ones.
During spring and summer, the Met Office publishes a five-day pollen forecast ranking levels from low to very high to alert sufferers when symptoms might be more pronounced.
According to the NHS, hay fever symptoms include sneezing, coughing, 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 forehead, headache, and feeling tired.
Pollen levels are set to rise over the coming days. Three UK areas are affected by a red 'very high' warning on Friday, June 19: East Midlands, east of England, and London and south east England.
By Saturday, June 20, south west England and West Midlands are upgraded from 'high' to 'very high', joined by north west England and Wales on Sunday, June 21. On Sunday, June 21, eight very high alerts are in force across East Midlands, East of England, London and south east England, South west England, West Midlands, North west England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Explaining why the pollen feels so strong this year, the Met Office says there is no data to suggest pollen is 'worse' this year, but there are reasons it might feel that way.
The Met Office stated: "Pollen levels can vary significantly depending on the timing of weather patterns and the types of pollen in season. Some years may feel more severe due to a combination of high pollen counts and exposure to multiple pollen types at once."
"The grass and weed seasons started earlier and stronger than usual due to warm weather during the late May bank holiday weekend, so this may impact some people's perception of the season."
The UK weather agency explained that grass pollen is the main cause of hay fever at this time of year, typically peaking in June, with levels currently high or very high across parts of the country. Weed pollen is also present at lower levels.
"Recent warm, dry conditions with light winds are ideal for pollen to be released and carried through the air," the Met Office explained. "While a lack of rainfall means it isn't being washed away, which can make symptoms feel particularly severe."
"Spells of rainfall with sunshine in the last few weeks have provided ideal growing conditions for grass and weeds."
Concluding, the Met Office said: "For most hay fever sufferers, the worst conditions are warm, dry and breezy days. These allow pollen to be released easily and spread efficiently through the atmosphere. Calm, dry days can also lead to high levels locally, as pollen accumulates near the source."
