'Very High' Pollen Count Forecast: The Best Ways To Prevent Hay Fever Symptoms
As the UK basks in warmer temperatures, hay fever sufferers are set for a particularly uncomfortable week, as the Met Office has revealed much of England will experience “very high” pollen levels until the weekend.
Much of Scotland and Wales are also currently impacted by “very high” levels, while Northern Ireland is also experiencing “high” levels of pollen today and tomorrow.
Tree pollen is the key culprit. According to the Met Office, tree pollen season typically runs from late March to mid-May, with around one in four people impacted by this type of pollen.
The worst offenders are typically alder, birch, hazel and horse chestnut, per Allergy UK. However the Met Office says birch and ash pollen levels are currently the ones which are “very high”.
What causes hay fever?
Hay fever occurs when an allergen, such as pollen, causes your body to defend itself by producing antibodies. These antibodies then bind to mast cells, a process which releases a chemical called histamine.
The chemical causes dilation of nasal blood vessels and inflammation of the mucus membranes, which can cause symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes.
How to prevent hay fever symptoms
The best treatment for hay fever is to avoid the allergen responsible – this usually means staying indoors, and keeping doors and windows shut, especially in the morning and early evening.
However when this isn’t possible there is medication available to help alleviate those dreaded symptoms. Antihistamines, for example, binds to receptors and works by blocking the binding of the cells which produce histamine. Corticosteroids and decongestants may also help.
You can also try:
- Wearing sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes when you’re outdoors.
- Taking a shower and changing your clothes immediately after getting home.
- Applying a small amount of Vaseline to your nasal openings (nostrils) to trap pollen.
- Drying clothes indoors.
- Regularly brushing and bathing pets to stop them bringing pollen indoors. Allergy UK suggests you could also simply wipe them with a damp microfibre cloth to remove pollen when they have been out.
- Avoiding gardening when pollen count is high.