POLLEN levels are set to soar again this week and peak tomorrow, experts warn.
The Met Office predicts levels will be “very high” across all but one region of England and Wales from Tuesday.
Pollen levels will be “very high” across all but one region of England and Wales on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, according to the Met Officve
Hay fever sufferers in Scotland and Northern Ireland will also be hit with high levels in most regions from Wednesday until Friday.
A map shows the only regions to have medium levels by the end of the week will be Strathclyde and Grampian.
Orkney and Shetland will be the only area to see continual low levels this week.
Levels in England will be lowest in the North East, although they will still be high.
Around 10million Brits suffer from hay fever, according to the Met Office.
The condition is caused by an allergy to pollen, which is more prominent in summer.
Tree pollen is more common earlier in the year, starting in late March and lasting to mid-May.
It affects around a quarter of people.
Most Brits are allergic to grass pollen, which sees levels soar from mid-May until July and is causing the current pollen bomb.
Rumeet Patel, a pharmacist at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, said the condition can cause a range of annoying ailments, including itchy eyes and throats.
He said: “Even if you don’t have hay fever yourself, approximately one in five people in the UK experience this condition so you’re probably aware of the common symptoms.
“These include a runny, itchy or blocked nose, sneezing, itchy or watery red eyes, and an itchy throat. You may have just one or two of these symptoms or the whole list.”
What are the symptoms of hay fever?
HAY fever is a common allergic condition.
It affects up to one in five people at some point in their life.
You’ll experience hay fever symptoms if you have an allergic reaction to pollen.
The symptoms of hay fever include:
frequent sneezing
runny or blocked nose
itchy, red or watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
cough, caused by postnasal drip (mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose)
Less commonly, you may also experience:
the loss of your sense of smell (anosmia)
facial pain (caused by blocked sinuses)
headaches
earache
tiredness and fatigue
If you have asthma, your asthma symptoms may get worse when you have hay fever.
Source: NHS
He added: “Although less common, there are some more surprising symptoms of hay fever such as excessive sweating and loss of taste and smell.
“As the pollen count rises, it’s important the public recognise these unusual symptoms.”
Unusual signs of hay fever
1. Excessive sweating
Hay fever is usually worse in hot conditions, with plants releasing more pollen as temperatures rise.
This means it can be difficult to spot an unusual sign of the condition — sweating.
Mr Patel said: “Sweating more than usual can be an embarrassing symptom of hay fever.
“Excessive sweating can be caused by stress, pain or when your immune system is vulnerable – all factors which can occur in hay fever.”
2. Loss of smell and taste
Mr Patel said: “Although less common, loss of smell can be a symptom of hay fever.
“Also known as anosmia, inflammation in the nasal passages can impact our sense of smell.
“This is the body’s way of limiting the amount of pollen that reaches the nose.
“As taste and smell are linked, if you experience anosmia, you are also likely to notice some loss of taste too.”
3. Headaches and migraines
Mr Patel said: “There is also a link between headaches and hay fever. Sinus inflammation can cause a build-up of pressure which results in a sinus headache.
“This tends to feel as if there is intense pressure inside the head or behind the eyes.
“The histamines released during a hay fever account can also give rise to migraines.”
4. Face pain
Hay fever doesn’t just cause itchiness and your nose – it can cause your cheeks and forehead to be in pain.
Mr Patel said: “Many people don’t realise that hay fever can cause pain around the cheeks, eyes and forehead.
“When you have hay fever, the small air-filled cavities behind the cheekbones and forehead can become inflamed or blocked. This pressure can cause facial pain.”
5. Asthma
Experts warned last week the surge in pollen would also be a problem for asthma sufferers.
Mr Patel said: “If you have asthma, you may find hay fever worsens symptoms like wheezing and breathlessness.
“In fact, some people also find they only experience asthma symptoms during hay fever season.
“People with hay fever are also much more likely to develop asthma.”