Hay fever sufferers in the UK are bracing for a difficult season as the Met Office issues a “pollen bomb” warning. Allergy experts and doctors have shared 20 tips to help manage symptoms without sacrificing summer enjoyment.
Dr Sophie Farooque, an allergy consultant at St Mary’s Hospital in London, notes that climate change is exacerbating the problem. “Climate change is described as Miracle-Gro for plants. They are producing more pollen, so hay fever season is starting earlier and lasting longer,” she says. Around 25% of UK adults are thought to have a pollen allergy.
Symptoms range from sneezing and itchy eyes to fatigue and facial swelling, explains Dr Helen Evans-Howells, a GP who runs an allergy clinic in Dorset. She advises that itchy eyes, throat and inner ears are key indicators of allergy rather than a cold. A simple antihistamine test can help confirm.
Practical tips include showering after being outdoors, changing pillowcases daily, and using petroleum jelly around the nostrils to trap pollen. Dr Adam Fox, a paediatric allergy specialist at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, warns that hay fever can significantly impact sleep and academic performance, with children 40% more likely to drop a grade in summer exams.
For those unsure of their triggers, allergy tests are available. The experts emphasise that modern medicines are safe and effective, allowing sufferers to manage symptoms and enjoy the season.
