Itchy eyes and constant sneezing is a familiar start to spring for many hay fever sufferers, but this year high pollen levels have hit weeks earlier than usual.
A pollen forecast by the University of Worcester has revealed tree pollen has jumped to “very high” levels over the past ten days.
A sudden change to warmer and drier weather following weeks of persistent rain has caused some tree pollen to rise rapidly. The forecast explained alder pollen will be high on dry days, with hazel, poplar, cypress and elm pollen also airborne in low to moderate amounts.
The tree pollen season lasts until mid-May and causes allergy symptoms in a quarter of hay fever sufferers, according to the Met Office.
“The pollen counts are shooting up and everyone is getting symptoms,” Dr Adrian Morris, a consultant allergist at the Surrey Allergy Clinic told the Independent.
He explained that while hay fever season can start as early as mid-February, it is usually expected in late March which is when the Met Office starts its pollen forecast.
“I suspect the weather’s going to suddenly improve and we’re in for a bumper pollen season and maybe now is the time to prepare and start getting those antihistamine tablets from the pharmacy,” he added.
“It has been the ideal weather for tree pollen because the rain makes the grasses and the trees feel a bit more exuberant, and now it has dried a bit, all the pollen pods pop up.”
It comes as temperatures reached 18C in parts of southeast England this week, warmer than Athens and Barcelona, where temperatures were forecast to peak at 15C.
Spring tree pollen is affected by the previous summer’s weather. If the mild weather continues other types of pollen, such as grass and weed pollen could also be stronger later in the summer.
The University of Leicester has been tracking pollen levels since 2006 and found pollen levels have been increasing year on year. Some experts say this is due to climate change and pollution, others suggest we are planting more trees associated with hay fever.
“Birch trees grow rapidly, so they are planted in suburban areas. They used to be in Northern European countries but they grow quickly in the UK. However, they are also great pollinators,” Dr Morris added.
Despite the lack of open, grassy fields in the city, the eye-watering combination of pollution and pollen can prove nightmarish for sufferers.
Dr Fiona Symon, who researches air pollen levels at the University of Leicester, told The Times that although pollen levels are higher in the countryside than in the city, more people who live in cities suffer from hay fever.
Experts say one reason for this is exhaust particles carry the pollen grains deeper into the airways, which can be more allergy-provoking.
Hay fever sufferers are recommended to limit outdoor activities on days with high pollen counts, wear sunglasses and change their clothes after going outside, according to Allergy UK.
Antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays are also treatments recommended by the NHS.
