Hay fever is wreaking havoc among millions of Britons, and birch trees are producing near-record pollen.
Between March 15, when hay fever season begins, and Sunday, twice as many people checked the Kleenex pollen forecast service compared to the same period last year, the company said.
And the number of people who took the company’s quiz to learn more about their hay fever symptoms increased by 139 percent over the same period.
Both indicate that hay fever is very high this year — in line with predictions made earlier this month that we’re in for an unusually large “pollen bomb,” Kleenex said.
Scientists say this bomb is the result of a perfect storm of conditions — from last summer to now — combined with the seasonal cycles of menopause and climate change.
And that means this hay fever season is likely to be “one of the worst seasons for birch pollen…[and] the worst in recent years,” warns Beverly Adams-Groom, a pollen specialist at the University of Worcester.
How serious of a problem is hay fever?
Nearly half of the UK population suffers from symptoms of hay fever (which is much less common in children but affects about 1 in 10), according to Allergy UK and Kleenex.
Pollen from trees, birch in particular, appears first, usually from late March to mid-May, affecting about a quarter of the population.
Grass lasts from mid-May to July, and weed pollen covers from late June to September, according to the Met Office.
The University of Worcester has been working with the Met Office to produce pollen forecasts for the country since 1995.
Why is there so much pollen now?
“Firstly, the above-average temperature in June last year, when pollen was produced, increased the likelihood of a high concentration of pollen,” the doctor said. Groom Adams.
“Secondly, birches have a “biennial”. [every other year] The pattern of pollen production, a mild year and a hard year, and this year was already expected to be a peak year.”
While long-term weather conditions are critical, the current weather also plays a big role, meaning that pollen counts can increase from day to day. Dry, hot and windy conditions tend to increase the amount of pollen, while rain and humid air decrease it significantly.
Climate change is also increasing the overall rate of hay fever (see below), meaning that each year is likely to get a little worse than it would otherwise due to warmer temperatures.
changing of the climate
The Met Office said climate change could lengthen the pollen season as it starts earlier, lasts longer and results in higher pollen concentrations.
It states that:
- Climate change means changes in temperature and rainfall could extend the pollen season in the UK and potentially increase pollen concentrations.
- It is possible that climate change is causing a change in the amount of pollen – one pollen particle can contain a different amount of the allergenic compound.
- The UK is also threatened by changes in the geographic distribution of allergenic plants due to climate change, with invasive species such as ragweed (ragweed) on the waiting list. A single ragweed plant can produce a billion grains of pollen in a season, and this pollen causes severe allergic reactions.
A study by the University of Worcester found that climate change is affecting the pollen season in the UK. In the case of birch pollen, it turned out that the gradual warming of the weather in June meant that birch trees produced more pollen, and the season became more severe across the country.
A study published last year found that climate change is affecting different types of pollen in different ways, both positively and negatively, with some starting early in the season and others becoming more severe.
It notes: “The seasons are getting longer… Great changes are taking place in UK pollen seasons that will affect the health of people with respiratory allergies, with heavier birch pollen seasons and longer oak pollen seasons.
Most of the changes identified were due to climatic factors such as rising temperatures and sunlight.
Scientists say the lengthening of the hay fever season may also mean that hay fever sufferers experience a “double whammy” of symptoms when the pollen season coincides.
While many people with hay fever are allergic to one type of pollen, some are allergic to more than one type. When tree, grass, and grass pollen seasons begin to overlap, some sufferers do not have much trouble with their symptoms and may experience symptoms. from February to February. February will affect October.
What is the forecast for this week?
The Met Office said pollen was high across most of the UK on Monday and was expected to remain flat on Tuesday and Wednesday, drop to moderate on Thursday and rise back to high on Friday.
Is the grass pollen season late in the year bad for hay fever?
Dr. Adams-Groom said it is too early to predict this year’s grass pollen season, which will be affected by the weather of the past few months. Grass pollen affects about 95 percent of hay fever sufferers, and the peak season usually begins in late May or early June. This year, some early-season grasses are expected to bloom from mid-April, which will affect some hay fever sufferers but not all, she said.
Five tips to prevent hay fever symptoms
- Showering and changing clothes after a walk in the fresh air – pollen gets everywhere, sticks to clothes and lingers long after you have retired indoors. After a day outdoors, take a shower or bath and change your clothes to prevent transmission.
- Apply petroleum jelly right under your nose – dabbing it a little before going outside will create a barrier to prevent pollen particles from entering your nose. Just remember that there, as in donuts (why not?), sugar sticks to both jelly and pollen powder.
- Wearing rounded sunglasses is a stylish enough way to protect your eyes from annoying pollen. Plus, you look like a Terminator, which is cool…if you like it?
- KEEP IT CLEAN. Wash your hands regularly when you are about to remove pollen, or simply wipe them with Allergy Comfort wipes.
- Dry laundry inside – nice weather means drying laundry outside – but this results in pollen using your best sweater as a resting place. If you suffer from hay fever, it is best to dry your laundry indoors.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.