As summer rolls around, many Edinburgh locals will be cracking open the paddling pools and firing up the barbeque to enjoy the weather we very rarely experience.
However, with sun and high temperatures comes large volumes of pollen, which can spell frustration for hay fever sufferers.
Hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) is an allergy caused by pollen grains released during the pollen season which normally runs from March to November in the UK.
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Common hay fever symptoms include sneezing, runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes, mouth and throat. Less common hay fever symptoms are headaches and hives.
But there are many things people don't know about the allergy, from pets suffering with the symptoms to it raising levels of anxiety.
Read on below for more information of six things you may not know about hay fever, as reported by the Met Office.
Correlation between pollen levels and mental health
According to the International Journal of Child Health and Human Development, high pollen levels can affect anxiety levels in people with recurrent mood disorders, such as bipolar.
Pets can get hay fever
You read that correct, pets like cats and dogs can get hay fever. While the cause of the allergies is the same in pets as it is in humans, the signs can be a little different. In humans, you might expect a runny nose, watery eyes and feeling short of breath, but these signs are much rarer in our pets.
Here are some of the signs they might show if they are allergic to pollen:
- Licking or biting their paws
- Excessive scratching
- Redness of the skin, especially around the eyes and ears and in between the paws
- Shaking their head
- Rubbing their ears or muzzle
- Tired or lethargic, particularly on days when the pollen count is high
Baby spiders eat pollen
Although usually carnivorous, spiders feed pollen to their young. It's not known how they manage to eat it though, since their mouths are not large enough.
Drinking makes hay fever worse
Beer, wine and other spirits contain histamine - the chemical that sets off allergy symptoms in the body.
Rain is not good news
Rain can be bad news for hay fever sufferers, as it helps the grass grow well, and if it's followed by dry weather there will be higher levels of pollen.
The pollen season lasts longer than you may think
The pollen season can start as early as January and end as late as November. In May, the pollen count is forecasted at being between low and medium, but will rise in the summer months.
For more information on the pollen forecast, and other hay fever tips, visit the Met Office website now.
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