HAY FEVER sufferers are facing an awful April — as experts warn a pollen bomb is set to explode earlier than expected.
Birch trees, one of the first to offload pollen into the air, are believed to be two weeks ahead of their usual date.
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Expert Max Wiseberg said the news should worry the millions of people with the allergy.
He said: “Birch is arguably the most problematic tree of them all for hay fever sufferers.”
The birch, close relative of alder and hazel trees, affects one in four hay fever sufferers who are allergic to tree pollen.
Mr Wiseberg, from Bedford, warned people to start using nasal sprays and antihistamines now to give themselves time to build a resistance.
The early onset of tree pollen means there are fears grass pollen, which normally starts in May, might begin earlier too.
A spokesperson for leading ‘wellness’ platform Fresha said “Around 44 per cent of all British adults are impacted by allergies, and hay fever is one of the most common allergies.
“Grass pollen is the most common allergen, which normally is at its strongest from May to July.
“However, trees are mainly prone to causing the allergic reaction we know to be hay fever, at its strongest from February to June.
“Allergies cause inflammation in the body, which can lead to swelling and skin irritation.
“When an allergen enters your system, the immune system over-reacts and prompts the release of histamine, causing symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and wheezing.”
Hay fever symptoms & how to treat it
HAY fever is usually worse between late March and September, especially when it’s warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest.
Typical symptoms include:
- frequent sneezing
- runny or blocked nose
- itchy, red or watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
- an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
- cough, caused by postnasal drip (mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose)
Less commonly, you may also experience:
- the loss of your sense of smell (anosmia)
- facial pain (caused by blocked sinuses)
- headaches
- earache
- tiredness and fatigue
If you have asthma, your asthma symptoms may get worse when you have hay fever.
How to treat it
There’s currently no cure for hay fever and you cannot prevent it.
But you can do things to ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high.
- Put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen
- Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen from getting into your eyes
- Shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off
- Stay indoors whenever possible
- Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
- Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
- Buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
- Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities
Source: NHS