Hay fever sufferers are bracing for a miserable spring and summer with pollen counts expected to he the highest pollen levels in half a century.
Experts said the pollen count surged from zero to high during the weekend and is expected to rocket further until June after the cold March and early April with some counts already over 8000.
Professor Roy Kennedy, of the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, said: “The cold spring meant a late start for pollen with a pollen burst now in a condensed period. It means peak pollen levels early in the season – not later, as normal. Hay fever sufferers could be badly affected.”
“The last year to see similarly early-season pollen peaks was probably in the 1960s following a cold spring such as March 1962.
The National Health Service has advised that the 16 million sufferers should wear sunglasses outdoors, change clothes and take showers immediately after coming indoors.
They should also stay inside when the pollen count is high. The most common symptoms are sneezing and itchy eyes.
