Spring is just around the corner and with it comes warmer days and lighter evenings. Sadly, however, for many spring also marks the start of hay fever season as the pollen count rises across the UK.
For many hay fever sufferers symptoms can include sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy and irritated eyes. According to the NHS : "Hay fever is usually worse between late March and September, especially when it's warm, humid, and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest."
The Met Office breaks this down further, explaining that there are different pollen types that occur throughout this time period. If you're only allergic to some pollen then you might get relief from your symptoms during some parts of the season.
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According to the national weather service tree pollen occurs first, typically from late March to mid-May. Tree pollen affects about 25% of people.
Grass pollen comes next, which is what most people are allergic to and lasts from mid-May until July with two peaks. In England and Wales the first peak usually starts in the first two weeks of June with the second lower peak occurring in the first two weeks of July.
Weed pollen can also contribute to hay fever and can be released at any time but typically covers the end of June to September. However where you are located in the UK and what the weather is doing can both affect the start date of hay fever season.
The Met Office explains: "There's a later start and 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."
To help stay on top of hay fever the Met Office publishes a pollen count, which forecasts for five days ahead across the whole of the UK. You can find it here.
As well as sneezing and coughing, a runny or blocked nose, and itchy red of watery eyes hay fever can cause headaches, earache, and make you feel more tired than usual. You can find a full list of symptoms as well as how to treat them on the NHS website.
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