Hay fever boom hits 20 million
MORE than 20 million Britons face hay fever hell after research identified a boom in pollen generated by grass.
Health and weather experts have warned that victims will suffer heightened symptoms including running eyes, sneezing and respiratory problems.
It follows searing heat and light rain in May and early June which has created the perfect conditions for pollen production.
Met Office and NHS chiefs have launched a study to find out more about grass pollen – which is the worst cause of hay fever.
Yolanda Clewlow, manager of the Met Office’s UK pollen network, said they want to discover the most damaging of 150 species of grass pollen.
She added: “We know how seriously hay fever can impact people’s lives in the UK, particularly as a result of grass pollen. We aim to help inform hay fever and asthma sufferers and empower them in managing their symptoms more effectively.
“We have simply had perfect weather for pollen this year. It’s been lovely and warm and right when grass pollen season begins.
“This was followed by rain, and further dry days with breezes that lift the pollen off the grass, plants and trees and blow it into the atmosphere.
“It has been the perfect storm to ensure that a larger proportion of people suffer from related allergies than normal.”
In a survey of 2,000 hay fever sufferers, researchers found that two-fifths of victims are so badly affected it ruins their whole summer.
But 57 per cent of sufferers admit they do not know what type of pollen affects them.
The results showed sufferers in London are the least aware of what pollen affects them, with only 41 per cent well-informed on their problem.
At the other end of the scale, 77 per cent of hay fever patients in Wales knew what most irritated them, followed by Yorkshire, where 69 per cent were clued up.
Many make their symptoms worse by failing to avoid habits which expose them to more pollen, the poll said. More than a third of respondents said they frequently hang washing out to dry in the summer – unaware that pollen sticks to their clothes.
Forty per cent said they leave their windows open to cool their home in the summer, which lets pollen in.
Ms Clewlow added: “There’s currently no cure for hay fever and you can’t prevent it. But you can do things to help ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high.
“You can try putting Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen. Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes and stay indoors whenever possible.”