It’ll be a tough week for those with pollen allergies, as levels are to be high over the next few days.
Hay fever sufferers across Scotland have been advised of the steps they can take to limit the allergy’s impact, with the Met Office warning of high pollen levels this week. Those with pollen allergies are set to suffer during the coming period of warm temperatures, humidity and high pollen levels from today, Wednesday, June 11 to Friday, June 13.
The Met Office’s pollen forecast shows ‘high’ levels across central Scotland for June 11 and June 12, with the Highlands showing levels of ‘low’ or ‘medium’.
But by Friday, June 13, we’re expected to see lower levels of pollen throughout Scotland.
Temperatures are also set to be high over the next few days, reaching 22C in and around Glasgow today (June 11), while the mercury in the rest of Scotland is to hover around 15C and 16C, according to the Met Office’s weather map.
Temperatures are to remain similar for Thursday and Friday, again reaching peaks of 21C and 22C in areas along the central belt.
The Met Office has issued advice to sufferers to limit the impacts of the pollen allergy, which can be debilitating for those who are extremely sensitive to the substance.
They said: “The most effective way to prevent hay fever is to avoid exposure to pollen, but this is almost impossible, particularly during the summer months.
“Instead, many people rely on antihistamines, which can prevent the allergic reaction from happening, and corticosteroids, which reduce any inflammation and swelling caused by the pollen allergy. Eye drops can also help.”
They also add that three things can cause the most severe reaction – pollen from grass, trees and weeds.
According to the Met Office, the “pollen count” is “literally the amount of pollen per cubic metre observed over 24 hours.
“It is sometimes used interchangeably with the term ‘pollen forecast’, but the pollen count is used, along with what the weather is up to, to forecast pollen levels over the coming days.
“The ‘forecast’ is actually a forecast of the risk of the level of pollen over the coming days.”
However, the forecaster notes that their definition of a “high” pollen count does not mean that everyone with hay fever will be affected in the same way.
They said “Different people have different tolerance to different pollen types and counts, so some will be more sensitive than others.”
Hay fever is a common allergy that causes sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes when in contact with pollen and it currently has no cure.
There are around 30 different types of pollen that cause hay fever and it is possible to be allergic to more than one type.
Weather often affects how pollen is spread around, with breezy conditions allowing it to be blown and rainy conditions allowing it to be cleared from the air, reports the Express.
On sunny days, the pollen count is highest in the early evening and that’s when you are most likely to suffer from hay fever symptoms.
The NHS lists the full symptoms of hay fever as:
- sneezing and coughing
- a runny or blocked nose
- itchy, red or watery eyes
- itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
- loss of smell
- pain around the sides of your head and your forehead
- headache
- feeling tired
