A 'pollen bomb' has hit Wales this week, prompting The Met Office to issue a warning to hayfever sufferers. Pollen levels are already high and are set to soar even more as a result of the recent mild weather, which could also leave those with asthma struggling to breathe.
The forecaster's map shows a country-wide 'very high' pollen reading, meaning misery for the one in five of us who suffers with seasonal allergies. Early tree bloom has been blamed - a common cause of hay fever during spring - with the rise in global temperatures cited for it starting sooner and lasting longer.
Climate change is thought to have less of an effect on the prevalence of grass pollen though, which takes over as the biggest cause of hay fever throughout the summer months. Symptoms include runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes and headaches.
