Wear a big hat to beat hay fever, says NHS

The NHS has told hay fever sufferers to wear a large hat, masks and wrap-around sunglasses to fight off the pollen.

Around 13 million people suffering from the allergy have been advised how best to stave off hay fever this spring, with the NHS website saying taking such steps can “stop pollen getting into your nose and eyes”.

The site also advises people to “put petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) around your nostrils to trap pollen”.

Taking a shower to wash pollen off and changing your clothes after you have been outside are also advised, as well as “keeping windows and doors shut as much as possible”, “vacuuming regularly” and “dusting with a damp cloth” are also advised.

With no cure or prevention for hay fever, the symptoms of which include sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes, some sufferers have resorted to intense medical treatments or mythical intervention, according to the NHS.

The UK has one of the highest rates of hay fever in the world, with one in five adults suffering from it every year.

There are 30 types of pollen that cause hay fever, according to the Met Office. Most people are allergic to grass pollen, which is common in late spring and early summer, followed by tree pollen, which is released during the spring.

Marco Petagna, of the Met Office, said: “It’s tree pollen season at the moment with pollen from hazel, yew, elm, alder and willow peaking around now. We have some moderate counts in northern England and Scotland, spreading into the Midlands by Monday but mostly on the low side.”

The UK is set for another week of warm weather, with temperatures above average for the time of year. On Thursday, temperatures could reach 20C – compared to the usual 9-14C experienced in early April.

In a blow to hay fever sufferers, who rely on rain to decrease pollen concentration in the air, it will remain mostly dry, with wet weather only expected in the north west of Scotland.

Mr Petagna said: “Temperatures are expected to climb to the mid to high teens, with the possibility of reaching 20C by Thursday. But a cooling breeze will offset the warm weather, and there will be cold nights with some frost.”