All hay fever sufferers have been given a warning and told to 'brace themselves' ahead of what is predicted to be a 'severe season' with 'alarming' levels of pollen forecast. Experts have warned that, because of the weather, pollen could be 'higher than usual' this year.
Many people have already started to experience hay fever symptoms - which include sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and, in some more serious cases, difficulty breathing. Experts have now urged those who suffer more extreme hay fever symptoms to start taking medication early.
The warning comes as it's predicted that birch pollen may reach the highest ever levels. According to Allergy UK, 'birch pollen typically causes allergic rhinitis symptoms in the nose and eyes, but can also cause symptoms in the oral /pharyngeal mucosa referred to as Pollen Food Syndrome or oral allergy syndrome.'
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The University of Worcester's Dr Beverley Adams-Groom warned that some of the highest ever levels of birch pollen is expected in the UK this year. It could be such a "severe season" that some people may even want to start taking medication early.
Hay fever - which is an allergic reaction to pollen - is highly dependent on the weather. The senior pollen forecaster has forecast a "severe season" of birch pollen and said that the only thing that could stop it now would be a "particularly wet April".
She warned that levels expected would mean those with hay fever were likely to "suffer on more days". It is still too early for forecasters to make realistic predictions on grass pollen levels for this year as they are waiting to see what weather conditions take place over the next few months, says Birmingham Live.
Dr Adams-Groom said a combination of factors was leading to the rise in pollen from birch trees. These included that summers were tending to get warmer and that birch trees produced pollen every other year.
"We have already seen the hazel and alder tree pollen allergens, which flower in late winter, produce and emit particularly high amounts of pollen this year," said Dr Adams-Groom, adding that birch trees have "one mild year and one severe year and this year's already expected to be a high year".
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