Hay fever alert as red warning issued for June: Here's what's behind latest surge

EXCLUSIVE - The UK's senior pollen forecaster warns the Daily Express how the month of June will be particularly difficult for the UK's hay fever sufferers.

19:44, Fri, Jun 7, 2024 | UPDATED: 19:44, Fri, Jun 7, 2024

Allergy sufferer in a park

Allergy sufferer in a park (Image: Getty)

Fifteen million Britons face weeks of tear-streaming hay fever, as a the UK's leading pollen scientist tells the Daily Express how June could see persistent 'very high' grass pollen level red alerts.

And Dr Beverley Adams-Groom of the University of Worcester - who advises the Met Office on pollen levels - warns that any scorching days this month could make hay fever even worse.

This weekend will see a pollen bomb of 'high' levels in the Midlands and south, triggered by the end of our wettest spring since 1986 and warm temperatures forecasted to hit 18C (64.4F) in the south

But Dr Adams-Groom has stressed that we are just at the start of weeks of 'high' levels (measured at 50 pollen grains per cubic meter of air) that could soar to 'very high' (150 pollen grains per cubic metre).

She told the Daily Express: "We are forecasting for 'very high' levels for much of the rest of June. The risk is increasing because most grasses are coming into flower.

"We have at least three weeks ahead when we expect to see high and very high counts across much of the country with temperatures of around 18-19C predicted.

"We have passed the main tree pollen season which runs from January to May but dry weather for the next few weeks will help all the grasses with pollen dispersal as we reach the peak of that season."

Grass pollen dispersal starts in April and builds, worsening if we have persistent warm, dry weather, and affects 95 per cent of hay fever sufferers.

Allergy UK estimate that hay fever affects 16 per cent of UK adults and up to 15 per cent of children, out of our 66 million population.

A young girl sneezes

A young girl sneezes from hay fever (Image: Getty)

Dr Adams-Groom is the UK's most senior pollen forecaster and runs the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit (NPARU), a specialist centre operated by the University of Worcester's School of Science and the Environment.

NPARU, which issued the 'very high' pollen alert categorised as red on Friday this week, warned: "Grass pollen has a very high risk in the South, Midlands and Wales on sunny days in warm weather."

Dr Adams-Groom also told us how climate change - with warmer spring months - is affecting the intensity of our pollen levels, especially birch tree pollen which disperses in April, affecting 25 per cent of hay fever sufferers.

Her 2022 scientific paper 'Pollen season trends as markers of climate change impact' revealed how birch tree pollen seasons - which we are in now - are getting more severe due to "warmer summers in the previous year".

It also found oak tree and grass pollen are starting earlier, but luckily that the grass pollen season is not worsening - with various regions of the UK being affected in vastly different ways.

Increasing spring and summer temperatures were found to be driving these trends, as well as some changes in land-use, such as increasing woodland, and urbanisation reducing grassland areas.

Don't miss... Six unexpected household items that could be making your hay fever worse [LATEST]

While it was a wet and dull season for many, the Met Office said May's average mean temperature of 13.1C (55.58F) for the UK beat 2008's previous record figure of 12.1C.

A Met Office spokesperson said: "While it may not have felt like it for many, with sunshine in relatively short supply, provisional figures show May was the warmest on record in our series back to 1884.

"This warmth was especially influenced by high overnight temperatures, with the average UK minimum temperature for May 1.2C higher than the previous record.

"Rainfall was above average for the UK, while some areas in the South saw over a third more rain than average. In contrast, Northern Ireland and Scotland were slightly drier than average in the month."

COMMENT - By Amena Warner, Head of Clinical Services at Allergy UK

"FOR too long, hay fever has been dismissed as a seasonal inconvenience - yet for many, the reality is far more serious.

"Each year the impact of hay fever grows in severity and prevalence. It's time we started taking it more seriously and paying attention to why this is happening.

"Up to 1 in 3 people in the UK are affected. A University of Manchester study suggests its prevalence has increased by 33 per cent over 20 years.

"So, if it feels like more people are complaining of hay fever there’s data to back it up. There are many reasons why, but evidence points to modern living being to blame.

"Climate change brings warmer temperatures and higher CO2 levels. These lead to extended pollen seasons, earlier pollen release of tree pollen and boosted pollen production, especially in birch trees.

"All this results in the severity of hay fever symptoms increasing by an estimated 60 per cent.

"Ironically, tree planting programs introduced to mitigate the impact of climate change often use birch trees because of their faster growing properties, ensuring there’s more birch pollen about than ever before.

"For some, hay fever is an irritating case of sneezes or itchy eyes. For others, it can really affect daily life and impact heavily on school performance or work life.

"Someone with hay fever is four times more likely to suffer from other allergy-driven conditions such as asthma, eczema, and food allergies, all of which carry a much higher toll to pay in terms of health.

"In 2014, 14 per cent of asthma deaths saw hay fever as a contributing factor. Today 12 per cent of the UK population is diagnosed with asthma, 60-80 per cent of which also live with hay fever.

"That’s a lot of people for whom hay fever is a very serious health risk. Yet, the NHS is woefully underprepared to deal with this rise; immunotherapy treatments which can eradicate severe hay fever symptoms are only available to 1 in 1000 patients.

"Which is why we need improved understanding of the severity of hay fever as a whole and better investment in allergy services now. Before the misery that hay fever season can bring, isn’t just down to higher pollen counts."

What Is Hay Fever?

By Chris Riches

Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever causes sneezing, congestion, itchy nose, and watery eyes but doctors say you can find relief with lifestyle changes, allergy medications, and immunotherapy.

Experts say more than 90 per cent of hay fever sufferers are allergic to grass pollen and the condition is one of the most prevalent allergies in the country, affecting an estimated one in two Brits every year.

Symptoms typically occur when the pollen count is at its highest - during warm, humid, and windy weather.

What Is A 'Pollen Bomb'?

A pollen bomb happens due to a surge in levels after grass grows rapidly in a hot spring, only to have its pollen release hindered by weeks of rain - as we have had in 2024.

A ‘pollen bomb’ can be a massive release, sometimes resembling smoke, traveling through the air from grass or trees that have stored huge stacks of pollen.

What Are Hay Fever Symptoms?

Nasal stuffiness or congestion which causes sneezing and runny nose; itchy nose, throat and eyes; red and watery eyes; headaches, sinus pressure, and dark circles under your eyes; mucus in your nose and throat; tiredness and fatigue - and constant wheezing and coughing.

What Quick Tips Can Lessen It?

Wear a mask, wraparound sunglasses and a hat with a peak to keep pollen out your eyes and face. On high pollen days shower or bath, wash your hair and change your clothes frequently.

Keep windows closed, especially in the early mornings when pollen is being released and, in the evening as the air cools. Avoid mowing lawns or drying clothes/linen outside.

What Medications Can Help?

Antihistamines are usually available with a prescription or over the counter and work effectively by blocking the histamine that your body releases during an allergic response.

Decongestants help relieve congestion in your nose and sinuses - while corticosteroid nasal sprays and inhalers reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms of hay fever.

During an allergic reaction, your body releases leukotrienes, histamine, and other chemicals that cause inflammation and hay fever symptoms. Leukotriene inhibitors block this leukotriene.

Meanwhile, immunotherapy helps your body learn to tolerate allergens – with the help of allergy shots.