The pollen count rockets
of chemicals from cells in nasal passages, the eyes or airways.
If you think you have hay fever, the important thing is to visit a GP or a pharmacist and confirm that your symptoms are hay fever rather than, say, a cold.
Then you can get appropriate medicine.
If you have been outside, it is worth getting changed and having a shower because pollen is very sticky and can be on your hair and clothes. You can also transfer it to your pillows.
Bear in mind that during the day pollen rises in the atmosphere but drops down overnight in a “pollen shower” – so the high spots are in the evening, overnight and first thing. So it is better to shut your windows at night to keep out the pollen.
Call our helpline on 01322 619 898 during office hours, or email info@allergyuk.org. will continue this week during warm, sunny weather across the country. The season is expected to last into the first week of July in southern and central regions and into mid or late July in the far North of England and Scotland.”
Peak
At the same time there are also high levels of fungal spores and weed pollen, particularly nettle pollen, which can all cause hay fever.
The only good news is that tree pollen is now only at moderate levels, mainly because its peak was in late winter and spring.
Hay fever can feel like flu, causing sneezing and coughing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy, red or watery eyes, itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears, loss of smell, headaches and earaches, and make sufferers feel very tired.
The NHS said that hay fever can also make asthma sufferers short of breath, wheeze and cough and give them a tight feeling in their chest.
Its website says: “There’s currently no cure for hay fever and you can’t prevent it. But you can do things to ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high.”
Tips include putting Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen, wearing wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes, vacuuming regularly and dusting with a damp cloth.
The NHS also recommends seeing a pharmacist, who can provide antihistamine drops, tablets and nasal sprays.