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Red Alert: Hay Fever Strikes Millions!
7 Apr
Summary
- Millions in Britain suffer from severe hay fever symptoms.
- Pollen levels are at 'very high' across England and Wales.
- Climate change linked to more potent and abundant pollen.

Millions across Britain are facing a 'red alert' for hay fever, with 'very high' pollen levels predicted for up to a week. The onset of warmer weather, with temperatures reaching 24C, coincides with the peak tree pollen season, triggering severe symptoms for an estimated 13 million individuals.
Met Office maps indicate 'very high' pollen counts across all of England and Wales, with 'high' levels expected in parts of Scotland. This situation is projected to continue throughout the week, particularly in the southeast and East Anglia.
Health advice for days with 'very high' pollen includes staying indoors with windows closed and showering after outdoor exposure. For those needing to go out, non-sedating antihistamines and wraparound sunglasses are recommended. Tree pollen allergies, linked to birch, oak, and other trees, are becoming more prevalent, especially among young people, due to warmer seasons attributed to climate change.