Millions of hay fever patients in the UK are being given a ‘red alert’ by the Met Office this week as ‘very high’ levels of tree pollen threaten to cause allergy misery
The Met Office has issued a ‘red alert’ for hay fever as millions face up to a week of ‘very high’ pollen levels.
Spring is in the air in more ways than one this week, with balmy 24C temperatures set to descend on the nation while the evenings grow noticeably lighter. But for many of Britain’s 13 million hay fever sufferers, the arrival of peak tree pollen season means runny noses, watery eyes and migraines as seasonal allergies take hold once again. This week’s forecasts have now prompted new warnings for those with particularly severe symptoms to limit time spent outdoors over the next few days.
Met Office maps show pollen levels in red at ‘very high’ today across all of England and Wales, along with some parts of Scotland. ‘High’ levels are meanwhile expected further north.
READ MORE: Pensioner nearly drowns during charity walkREAD MORE: Greggs is launching a CHICKEN version of its sausage roll this week
It’s a similar picture throughout the week, with pollen dropping to ‘low’ or ‘medium’ in the north but remaining at ‘very high’ in the southeast and East Anglia into the weekend.
Advice for ‘very high’ pollen days from Allergy UK includes staying indoors, keeping windows closed, and showering after being outside. High counts typically occur on warm, dry, windy days, with trigger often most severe in early morning and early evening.
Those who need to go outdoors can use non-sedating antihistamines, wearing wraparound sunglasses, and apply allergen balm around the nose. You should speak to your GP if you believe you are beginning to develop symptoms of hay fever.
Tree pollen allergies – caused by dust from birch, oak, hazel, alder, and poplar – currently affect about 25% of all sufferers. But scientists say it is becoming increasingly common, particularly in young people, as climate change causes warmer, longer seasons that sees trees produce more potent, abundant pollen
In her weather forecast for Tuesday, Met Office meteologist Honor Criswick said this morning: “For most, particularly across England and Wales, dry, settled, and lots of warm sunshine to go around. We could potentially see highs reaching around 23 to 24C in parts, but a little bit cooler, particularly around the eastern coast of Scotland. Highs probably only reaching around 10 to 11C here.
“Then in through the evening, still some outbreaks of rain across the far northwest. This a little bit heavy at times as the system drifts its way northwards. Elsewhere though, remaining mostly dry, some patchy cloud across the north. Plenty of clear skies in the south and mostly light winds. So there’s a chance we could see some isolated spots of mist and fog first thing in the morning, but it should mostly be in rural prone spots and not quite as chilly overnight either.”
