Millions of hay fever sufferers warned ‘worst is yet to come’ – as grass pollen STILL hasn’t reached peak
THE worst is yet to come for 20 million Brits plagued by hay fever this summer, experts have warned.
Pollen counts reached their highest levels so far this year over the last few weeks, with most areas hit by "very high" levels.
The Met Office is warning that grass pollen, which affects 95 per cent of hay fever sufferers, is about the reach its peak.
There are more than 150 species of grass in the UK - that means more itchy eyes and runny noses across most of the country.
Forecasters warn some 20 million people could be affected, even those who have never suffered with hay fever before.
Yolanda Clewlow, manager of the Met Office's UK pollen network, urged sufferers to take antihistamines, keep windows closed and avoid going outside during times when the pollen count is at its peak during the day.
Millions of hay fever sufferers have endured two weeks of "very high" pollen counts.
Forecasters last week warned we are set for another three weeks of hay fever misery.
The long winter and recent rain followed by warmer weather is the "worst case scenario" for sufferers, making pollen more prevalent, experts warned.
The Met Office is warning pollen levels will be very high in all areas of the UK today, except Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
We will start to see some relief on Friday as levels drop to "high" in the South West, West Midlands, North West, North East and Wales.
Very high levels will remain in the East Midlands, London, the South East and the East.
By Saturday all of England will get a much needed reprieve from the pollen bomb, with most areas only predicted to have moderate pollen levels throughout the day.
It will be short-lived though as levels start to climb again by Sunday, reaching very high across all of England by Monday.
The rain to hit the UK a few weeks ago has caused grass and trees to grow, fuelling a rise in pollen.
Pollen forecaster Beverley Adams-Groom told BBC Breakfast: "We’ve had a perfect combination of weather to produce very high pollen counts, particularly grass pollen which affects about 95 per cent of hay fever sufferers.
"I think we have several weeks yet of it, and possibly more."
Dr Jean Emberlin, of Allergy UK, told The Sun Online: "The worst case scenario for hay fever sufferers is when you have rain occasionally, which keeps the grass going, and then days in between with warm weather which disperses the pollen.
"But if you have a very hot, dry summer the grass stops growing."
Dr Emberlin predicted grass pollen will be at its worst in June, warning sufferers to take antihistamines and be prepared.
Hay fever season returned with a sharp surge in pollen levels in April following a wet winter and sudden balmier climes.
And for half of them, deadly asthma attacks are a real threat - triggered by pollen.
Hay fever and asthma are closely linked, with around 80 per cent of people with asthma finding their symptoms are made worse when pollen counts are high.
Sonia Munde, nurse manager at Asthma UK, said: "Pollen is a top trigger for asthma attacks at this time of the year, affecting an estimated 3.3million people with asthma in the UK."
She said anyone who has both asthma and hay fever should ensure they are taking antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays, and should take their preventer inhaler as prescribed to ward off an attack.
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