Hay fever season is currently in full swing and sufferers are being urged to take preventative measures to try and minimise their symptoms – including keeping windows and doors shut
Brits with hay fever are being told to keep their windows and doors firmly shut, especially between 10am and 3pm, as hay fever season wreaks havoc across the country, lasting from late March to September. From the first release of tree pollen in late March to the prevalence of grass and weed pollens throughout the summer, sufferers have been fighting symptoms.
Particularly prevalent in the South are higher pollen counts compared to the North, with grass pollen proving the most troublesome during two peaks in early June and July – which may explain any recent spike in your sniffling.
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The UK’s warmest meteorological spring and May on record since 1884, followed by balmy temperatures in late June, has led to what experts dub “ideal” conditions for pollen blights.
Those afflicted by hay fever can attest that symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes tend to hit hardest from late March through to September, with weather conditions playing a pivotal role.
Britain is bracing for a sizzle as the Met Office forecasts a scorcher next week, predicting temps will soar from Wednesday, June 11, sending the mercury into the high 20Cs.
This heatwave comes hand in hand with sky-high pollen counts, spelling trouble for hay fever sufferers in North West England, the West Midlands, and London and South East England, where “very high” levels are expected.
The rest of the UK isn’t off the hook with “high” levels predicted too, reports the Express. There’s no magic pill for hay fever, but experts stress the importance of pre-emptive actions to keep those pesky symptoms at bay.
They advise against flinging your windows and doors open willy-nilly when pollen’s playing up, as it invites those sneeze-inducing particles in to settle on your soft furnishings – not what you want!
NHS guidance sides with the cautious, suggesting keeping windows and doors shut “as much as possible”, but if you’re craving a breath of fresh air during the balmy weather, aim to crack them open outside peak pollen times.
Saxton Blades’ very own DIY expert, Glen Peskett, chimes in with some sound advice for sniffle-stricken Brits: allergy-proofing is key and that means windows and doors should stay firmly shut between the hours of 10am and 3pm, especially on blustery days.
That’s when pollen counts peak and flinging things wide open is just asking for trouble. Glen added: “It’s important to get fresh air, and when the weather begins to improve, it’s even more tempting to open your home up to the warmer elements.
“However, during peak pollen times – usually between 10 am and 3 pm, and on windy days – it’s extremely beneficial to keep your windows and doors shut. This is especially important in bedrooms, where you want to breathe easy at night.”