Superpollen hay fever hell warning
Pollution worsens symptoms
A NEW superpollen is set to cause misery for millions of hay fever sufferers this year.
Superpollen is created when pollen from plants mixes with diesel fumes in the air, triggering extreme hay fever and asthma.
A cold January followed by mild temperatures in February have resulted in the pollen season starting later but more abruptly than usual.
When coupled with high levels of air pollution in cities, the pollen can trigger symptoms in allergy suffers and asthmatics.
Dr Paul Carson, of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, said: “Pollution level forecasts may be just as important as pollen counts for hay fever sufferers from now on.
“Big cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow are most likely to create this perfect storm of pollen-pollution hay fever.” Dr Carson said one of the theories behind the problem is that “vehicle fumes cause a smog that blocks pollen grains escaping into the upper atmosphere”.
He added: “It may even make the pollen stickier so that it enters, and stubbornly stays stuck, to vulnerable organs.”
The warning comes as figures from NHS Digital reveal that the number of people attending hospital due to an allergic reaction has soared by almost 30% in the last five years.
There was a record 32,167 hospital sessions last year, with children particularly affected.
Dr Carson added: “Hay fever rhinitis with asthma causes more hospitalisations among children.”
Dr Andy Whittamore, of Asthma UK, said: “People living in urban areas should take extra care as they are at greater risk.”