Yahoo News Hay fever alert as UK braces for 'very high' pollen levels amid rising temperatures
Hay fever sufferers are on high alert as the pollen count is set to skyrocket to its highest level in parts of the UK this week.
This comes as temperatures are expected to reach the low 20s across the country, including in Lancashire and the rest of the North West. The county is set to bask in highs of 20C between Wednesday and Friday, according to the latest Met Office forecast.
The mercury will dip to a maximum of 18C on Saturday, before climbing back up to 19C and then 22C on Sunday and Monday respectively. The pollen count is predicted to rise to 'very high' for three consecutive days, from Wednesday to Friday, across much of the UK this week.
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The north west's pollen count will increase from high to very high tomorrow (June 20), with the rest of England - bar the North East - also experiencing very high levels. Wales and Northern Ireland are forecast to have the same, while south Scotland will see high levels and north Scotland medium.
The North West's pollen count will remain very high on Thursday. The North East and parts of southern Scotland will also jump from high to very high.
Meanwhile, Friday will see the pollen warnings relax in Northern Ireland, southern Scotland and Wales. However, the whole of England will once again experience 'very high' pollen counts.
Saturday's weather forecast warns of 'high' pollen levels sneaking in across the North West, Wales, Northern Ireland, the South West, as well as the South East. The Met Office relayed information regarding the situation especially in the North West, stating: "Grass pollen will rise in warm, dry weather. Nettle, dock and plantain too. Spores: A little Alternaria and medium Cladosporium when warm; Leptosphaeria after rain."
A GP outlined some helpful tips on how to steer clear of a brutal 'pollen bomb' when you're plagued with hay fever. The vicious allergy ignites symptoms like sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and a sore throat.
Having asthma and eczema prior puts you at a greater risk of contracting the condition. Dr Roger Henderson, having 35 years work experience as a GP, advised sufferers to take antihistamines ahead of the dreaded pollen count spike not simply when symptoms begin to surface.
He suggested reducing exposure to pollen as much as possible. The seasoned GP from Whitehaven in Cumbria, warned: "What a pollen bomb will do is trigger people with mild hay fever. This means they get symptoms they don't normally get because of the intense exposure. One of the ways of avoiding hay fever is staying inside when the pollen is high."
"You should stay away from areas like parks or areas that have more pollen. Especially early morning and late afternoon/evening - when pollen count is highest."
However, sometimes it's impossible to avoid being outdoors during the day's peak times. Dr Roger, a representative for decongestant brand Olbas, suggests washing your clothes after being outside during a pollen bomb before wearing them again.
If you're having trouble sleeping at night, it might be because your sheets need a wash to remove any pollen.
But he warns against a common mistake many people make - drying their clothes and sheets outside, which allows them to become covered in pollen once more. Similarly, if you've been outside, he recommends washing your hair to get rid of any lingering pollen.
When at home, ensure to dust surfaces regularly to prevent pollen from settling - and use a wet cloth. He advises: "If you're going to clean your house, dust with a damp cloth rather than a dry cloth, because a damp cloth helps mop up pollen."
"Using a dry cloth, you can get clouds of dust and pollen which makes it worse. Anything that can trap dust can trap pollen - even dried flowers and curtains - so vacuum or wipe with a wet cloth."
This advice also applies to soft furnishings and items like teddy bears - which can secretly harbour pollen and exacerbate symptoms indoors. In severe cases, he even recommends isolating them in a separate room.
Dr Roger advised: "Things like stuffed animals, you can't dust them but you can dampen them. You should do it with a wet cloth to help with the trapped pollen. If it's really bad with your stuffed animals, quarantine them in a separate room until you feel better."
For those battling itchy eyes, he suggests that investing in a pair of wraparound sunglasses could be a game-changer, as they are far superior to regular frames in keeping pesky pollen at bay.
