Why is hay fever so bad this year? What’s behind the high UK pollen count and latest forecast map

Sniffing, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, a runny or blocked nose and an overall feeling of malaise: hay fever is no joke.

If you’re one of the unlucky people to suffer from hay fever, you may have noticed that your symptoms seem more acute right now than in previous years.

And you’d be right. The pollen count is particularly high right now, making life very uncomfortable for hay fever sufferers.

Why is hay fever so bad this year?

Some experts believe that climate change is a major factor in the severity and prematurity of the hay fever season – although it’s not straightforward.

One study at the University of Worcester found that UK oak and grass pollen seasons are starting earlier, while the birch season is getting more severe.

“Climate change is causing some plants to produce more pollen by increasing temperatures during the pollen production period,” Dr Beverley Adams-Grooms, lead author of the study, told the Big Issue.

“Birch trees, which affect around a quarter of hay fever sufferers in the spring, are producing more pollen over time because of increasing June temperatures, when the pollen is set.”

Dr Adams-Grooms added that summer weather events, such as extreme heat or drought, had the potential to reduce grass pollen emissions or even stop the grasses flowering completely, however.

Professor Stefan Buczacki, an expert on botany and plant biology, suggested that an “increase or change in the type of agricultural crops that are being grown” could be another reason why people are developing hay fever symptoms in the UK.

“Look at the enormous increase in the acreage of oil seed rape, and a lot of people are allergic to rape pollen,” he told ITV.

“You’ve only got to look out of your car window these days and the countryside is coloured yellow much more than it was 20 or 30 years ago.”

What is the pollen count?

The Met Office uses four bands to measure pollen; green (low), yellow (medium), amber (high) and red (very high).

Pollen levels are currently very high across all regions of England, with Northern Ireland and most of Scotland experiencing high levels.

Orkney and Shetland and Highlands and Eilean Siar are the only places in the UK at present with medium pollen levels at present.

The forecast for England in the next five days is largely expected to remain the same, with levels falling to “high” in Wales, the West Midlands and South West England by Sunday.

Pollen levels in Northern Ireland and most of Scotland will fall to “medium” by the weekend, while the South East and much of England, including North East England, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, East of England and London and the South East are all expected to remain “very high” into the weekend.

How can I manage my hay fever?

Hay fever is an allergy caused by pollen grains. According to Allergy UK, it affects between 10 and 30 per cent of all adults in the UK.

The NHS says hay fever symptoms include:

• sneezing and coughing
• 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

Most people with hay fever are allergic to grass pollen, though some are also affected by weed and tree pollen.

There is no cure for hay fever, but there are a number of over-the-counter medicines you can take to help alleviate symptoms, such as antihistamine tablets, sprays and eye drops. Speak to your pharmacist to find the right treatment for you.

Other tips include closing your windows, showering regularly and washing your clothes to remove any pollen from them.

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Pollen levels tend to be especially high in the evening, so consider using a fan rather than opening your windows in the evening to help with sleep.

Try to avoid grass as much as possible, particularly cut grass.