With the arrival of spring, Brits have been enjoying much sunnier, milder conditions this week.
However, while most people will be looking forward to those long summer evenings ahead of us - hay fever sufferers might be less keen.
Once the weather warms up, heading outside might be the last thing you want to do as it usually comes at a cost.
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If you suffer from hay fever, summer usually means sneezing, a runny nose and itchy and irritated eyes.
But when does hay fever season actually kick in?
According to the NHS, hay fever symptoms usually show up when it's warm, humid and windy.
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen from plants, typically when it comes into contact with your mouth, nose, eyes and throat.
The pollen count is at its highest between late March and September, so it might not be long before hay fever sufferers start to feel the symptoms.
When does hay fever season start?
Hay fever season actually has several stages, which relate to when different types of pollen are around.
If you're lucky, you might be allergic to some types of pollen but not others, meaning you might get some relief for parts of the season.
According to the Met Office, tree pollen occurs first, typically from late March to mid-May. Tree pollen affects around 25 per cent of people.
Most hay fever sufferers are allergic to grass pollen, which is usually around from mid-May until July.
The grass pollen peak usually starts in the first two weeks of June. But there is usually also a second lower peak occurring in the first two weeks of July.
Weed pollen can be released at any time but the season typically covers the end of June to September.
Seasons also depend on where you live. There’s a later start and a shorter season in the north of the UK, where generally there is less pollen. Urban areas have lower counts than the countryside, and places inland have higher counts than around the coast.
Other factors can also change the start date of the pollen season. Low temperatures in winter will keep plants and trees dormant for longer into the new year. A dry season can also reduce the amount of pollen production.
The Met Office publishes a pollen forecast, which can provide hay fever sufferers with an early warning for when the pollen count is highest.
What are the symptoms of hay fever and how do you tell it apart from a cold?
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 your temples and forehead
- headache
- earache
- feeling tired
If you have asthma, you might also:
- have a tight feeling in your chest
- be short of breath
- wheeze and cough
While they may feel similar, hay fever symptoms tend to last for weeks or even months, while the pollen count is high, whereas a cold will usually go away after just one or two weeks.
Treatments for hay fever
There is no cure for hay fever, but your pharmacist can help you find antihistamine drops, tablets or nasal sprays to help ease it.
You can also do the following to relieve your symptoms:
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put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen
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wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes
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shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off
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stay indoors whenever possible
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keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
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vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
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buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
You should try to avoid the following:
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cutting or walking on grass
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spending too much time outside
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keeping fresh flowers in the house
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smoking – it makes your symptoms worse
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drying clothes outside – they can catch pollen
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letting pets into the house if possible – they can carry pollen indoors
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