BRITAIN faces a hayfever epidemic this summer with a record amount of sufferers seeking medical help.
The number of British patients visiting GPs with hayfever has doubled since last year [GETTY]The Met Office yesterday warned of “very high” pollen counts across swathes of the country in the next five days bringing “untold misery” for many of Britain’s 18 million hayfever sufferers.
As soon as the grass got a really nice dry day the pollen counts went shooting up to high and very high and they have been there on dry, warm days ever since
Experts at the charity Allergy UK say Britain now has one of the highest rates in the world for the condition.
Scientific director Professor Jean Emberlin said this year’s hayfever season will be particularly severe due to the mild winter and warm spring.
She said: “As soon as the grass got a really nice dry day the pollen counts went shooting up to high and very high and they have been there on dry, warm days ever since. We are going to get these counts carrying on through June and into the first couple of weeks in July. We currently have ideal conditions for pollen and that is reflected in GP consultations.”
An official survey of 72 GP practices with 800,391 patients on their books found 11,873 seeking help for hay- fever-type symptoms up from 5,560 in the same week last year.
The figures come from the Royal College of General Practitioners’ Research and Surveillance Centre, which monitors trends in diseases.
Maureen Baker, chairwoman of the college, said: “Each year, seasonal hayfever causes untold misery to thousands of people across the country, especially when we all want to enjoy the warm weather.
“While in some cases it may be necessary to see a doctor, especially if the symptoms persist, there are many anti-histamine medications that can be bought over the counter that should provide effective relief.
“Patients who suffer from hayfever can also take simple steps to help minimise their exposure to pollen, such as wearing a hat with a wide brim and sunglasses, and applying Vaseline to nostrils to help trap pollen particles.”
Grass pollen is the most common cause of hayfever and tends to affect people every year from around May to July.
Tree pollen usually affects people from March to May and weed pollen from early spring to early autumn.
Cells on the lining of the nose and eyes react to pollen by releasing histamine and other chemicals, causing inflammation in the nose (rhinitis) and eyes (conjunctivitis). Sometimes the sinuses and throat are affected.
Children aged between five and 14 suffer the most, closely followed by young people aged from 15 to 24.
Dr Obaghe Edeghere, from Public Health England, said: “Anyone who experiences serious symptoms should speak to their GP for advice or call NHS 111.”
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