Overview
- The Met Office has forecast very high pollen across much of England and Wales this week while amber extreme-heat warnings cover large areas as temperatures climb into the mid-30s Celsius.
- Health services report a sharp rise in public concern with NHS hay-fever webpage visits more than doubling as people seek advice on symptom control and safety.
- Experts say this year’s stop-start weather produced early tree pollen and lush grass growth that are now flowering together, creating unusually high simultaneous pollen release.
- Official guidance urges early use of non-drowsy antihistamines and corticosteroid nasal sprays plus exposure-reduction measures such as keeping windows closed and showering after time outside.
- Some people are seeking private corticosteroid injections for faster relief but doctors warn these carry infection and immune-suppression risks and are not routinely recommended or commissioned by the NHS.