Hayfever Soars As Pollen Becomes More Potent

The number of adults developing hayfever has soared since the 1990s, new research has shown for the first time.

Swedish scientists found that between 1994 and 2009 the proportion of adults reacting to timothy grass - one of the main causes of hayfever - almost doubled from 12% to 21%.

Even adults in their 50s are at risk, with a 10% increase in the proportion having positive skin prick tests for common allergy triggers.

The study is published in the journal Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology.

British specialists say the results mirror anecdotal reports from NHS allergy clinics that the number of older sufferers is rising - and they develop more severe symptoms.

Andrew Williams, a consultant allergy nurse at Homerton Hospital in east London, told Sky News: "When I started most of the patients would be my age or younger.

"But now there is a whole age range. Not just late teens and 20s. We are seeing people having hayfever for the first time in their 40s, 50s and even 60s."

Winnie Crabb first started suffering from a runny nose and itchy eyes when she was 33.

She said: "I thought it was something you grow up with.

"I know you get exposed to something and become allergic to it in childhood. But I was very surprised. I'm not happy at all."

Scientists don't know for sure why hayfever is increasing.

Beverley Adams-Groom of the National Pollen Research Unit said cleaner lifestyles may be changing our immune systems.

But climate change could also be playing a part.

Ms Adams-Groom said: "There is some suggestion that pollen is becoming more potent with global warming.

"There is more CO2 in the atmosphere and plants enjoy CO2.

"Climate change is also allowing plants to grow better and produce more pollen."

The unit has recorded the highest pollen levels in several years over the last few weeks.

The cold spring delayed plant growth so much that trees and grasses have released their pollen in a single burst, sending airborne concentrations to extraordinarily high levels.

But Ms Adams-Groom said there is some good news for sufferers.

The latest forecast is for pollen levels to start to decrease this weekend - and the season could be over altogether in southern parts of the UK in a week or so.