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Why is my hay fever so bad this year? Why are pollen levels making hay fever so bad this year?
(4 days later)
Pollen levels are forecast to be high or very high in many parts of the UK over the next five days. Pollen levels are forecast to be high or very high in many parts of the UK over the coming days.
The fine powder released by certain grasses, trees and plants is causing chaos for the many who're allergic to pollen. The fine powder released by certain grasses, trees and plants can cause chaos for those who are allergic to pollen.
Itchy eyes, sneezing, dripping noses, scratchy throats and headaches are a common complaint. What are the main symptoms of hay fever?
So what can you do to feel better? Itchy eyes, sneezing, dripping noses, scratchy throats, disrupted sleep and headaches are all signs of hay fever.
Why are my eyes streaming? Around one in five people are allergic to pollen and the main culprit is usually grass, although trees can also trigger symptoms.
If you're sneezing hundreds of times day, your eyes are watering and you're sleeping badly then it's probably hay fever.
You're not alone - around one in five people are allergic to pollen and the culprit is usually grass, although trees can also trigger symptoms.
Early summer is often peak pollen season, when the number of grains of pollen in the air multiplies.Early summer is often peak pollen season, when the number of grains of pollen in the air multiplies.
This year the warm weather in the UK, plus last year's too, means conditions have been ideal for birch tree pollen - a major hay fever trigger. The warm weather seen in the UK in 2024 and in the first half of 2025 means conditions have been ideal for birch tree pollen - a major hay fever trigger.
Recent warm, dry days in some parts of the UK have helped spread pollen through the air, creating what's been dubbed a 'pollen bomb'. Warm, dry days help spread pollen through the air, creating what's been dubbed a "pollen bomb".
Cities often have lower pollen counts than rural areas, but pollution in urban areas can make symptoms worse. Cities often have lower pollen counts than in the countryside, but the pollution in urban areas can actually make symptoms worse.
In the long term, it's likely that a changing climate will have an impact on hay fever. In the long term, it's likely that the changing climate will also have an impact on hay fever.
Changing temperatures and rainfall could make the pollen season longer and increase the concentration of pollen in the air.Changing temperatures and rainfall could make the pollen season longer and increase the concentration of pollen in the air.
Why your eyes are so itchy todayWhy your eyes are so itchy today
Warm weather means hay fever season has started early
What are the best hay fever treatments?What are the best hay fever treatments?
There's no cure for hay fever, but there are medicines you can take to feel a bit better. There's no cure for hay fever, but there are medicines which can help you feel a bit better.
Allergy expert Professor Stephen Till, from Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals in London, recommends "a cocktail approach". Allergy expert Professor Stephen Till, from Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals in London, recommends "a cocktail approach", which means taking:
That means taking:
antihistamine tablets or drops that don't tend to make you feel sleepy and are long actingantihistamine tablets or drops that don't tend to make you feel sleepy and are long acting
plus a steroid nasal spray a steroid nasal spray, and
and eye drops eye drops
"They all work in different ways and are all very safe for most people - just go to a pharmacy for advice," Prof Till says."They all work in different ways and are all very safe for most people - just go to a pharmacy for advice," Prof Till says.
These products can all be bought over the counter in your local chemist. Some types work better for some people than others, and prices vary, so it's important to find the one that's best for you. These products can all be bought over the counter in your local chemist.
Some types work better for some people than others, and prices vary, so it's important to find the one that's best for you.
Antihistamine medicines help dampen down your body's allergic reaction to pollen. You can start taking them three or four days before pollen counts start to rise.Antihistamine medicines help dampen down your body's allergic reaction to pollen. You can start taking them three or four days before pollen counts start to rise.
One idea is to keep a diary of symptoms and medicines, so you can tell the pharmacist what you've already tested out.One idea is to keep a diary of symptoms and medicines, so you can tell the pharmacist what you've already tested out.
What works to help with the symptoms of hay fever?What works to help with the symptoms of hay fever?
What else can I do to reduce symptoms? How to sleep in the heat
What do heatwaves do to the body?
What else can I do to reduce hay fever symptoms?
Avoiding hay fever triggers is essential too, says pharmacist Ashley Cohen from Leeds.Avoiding hay fever triggers is essential too, says pharmacist Ashley Cohen from Leeds.
"I always say it's about good hygiene - pollen sits on your face and arms when you go outside, so have a shower and change your clothes when you come in.""I always say it's about good hygiene - pollen sits on your face and arms when you go outside, so have a shower and change your clothes when you come in."
And he warns that pets are "brilliant vehicles" for bringing pollen into your house.And he warns that pets are "brilliant vehicles" for bringing pollen into your house.
Other things the NHS says you can do include: The NHS also recommends:
putting nasal balms or jelly around you nostrils to trap pollen putting nasal balm or petroleum jelly around your nostrils to trap pollen
wearing sunglasses, mask or a cricket hat to stop pollen getting into your nose and eyes wearing sunglasses, a mask or a wide-brimmed sun hat to stop pollen getting into your nose and eyes
vacuuming and dusting your home regularlyvacuuming and dusting your home regularly
trying out a pollen filter in the air vents of your cartrying out a pollen filter in the air vents of your car
Also, try to avoid:Also, try to avoid:
cut grass or walking on grasscut grass or walking on grass
keeping fresh flowers in the housekeeping fresh flowers in the house
smoking or being around smokerssmoking or being around smokers
drying clothes outsidedrying clothes outside
What if my hay fever gets really bad?What if my hay fever gets really bad?
"Ninety percent of people with hay fever can be managed with over-the-counter medication," says pharmacist Ashley Cohen."Ninety percent of people with hay fever can be managed with over-the-counter medication," says pharmacist Ashley Cohen.
If your hay fever becomes really debilitating, then you'll need to see your GP who can refer you to specialist - but that will mean waiting for a while. If your hay fever becomes really debilitating, your GP can refer you to a specialist - but that will take a while.
Immunotherapy treatment might be available for the worst affected. That's when tiny amounts of pollen are injected into the body over time to get it used to the substance, so that it no longer overreacts.Immunotherapy treatment might be available for the worst affected. That's when tiny amounts of pollen are injected into the body over time to get it used to the substance, so that it no longer overreacts.
The NHS stopped offering the steroid injection Kenalog years ago for hay fever because of the risk of serious side-effects. The charity Allergy UK does not recommend anyone use it either, and private clinics are no longer allowed to advertise the drug. The NHS stopped offering the steroid injection Kenalog years ago for hay fever because of the risk of serious side-effects.
The charity Allergy UK does not recommend anyone use it either, and private clinics are no longer allowed to advertise the drug.
Does local honey help hay fever?Does local honey help hay fever?
Afraid not. Bees don't pollinate grass and trees - they pollinate flowers, which don't cause hay fever. Unfortunately not. Bees don't pollinate grass and trees - they pollinate flowers, which don't cause hay fever.
So there's no evidence that spreading local honey on your toast will help hay fever caused by grass and tree pollens.So there's no evidence that spreading local honey on your toast will help hay fever caused by grass and tree pollens.