Hay fever misery for millions as today will be ‘WORST day of year for pollen’

Today may be the worst day of the year for hay fever, allergy experts have warned ahead of another expected pollen bomb this weekend.

Misery is expected for millions, with ‘very high’ pollen counts forecasted for all but three areas of the UK.

Only Scotland’s northern-most regions escape the Met Office’s highest alert today. 

June 22 — dubbed ‘Hay Day’ — is statistically the worst day of the year for hay fever.

Max Wiseberg, creator of an anti-allergy balm, said: ‘Whether or not this turns out to be the case, it will certainly be one of the worst.’

Today – which has been dubbed as ‘Hay Day’ –  could see the worst day of the year for hay fever as all but three areas have been issued a warning for ‘very high’ pollen levels by the Met Office 

Red alerts remain in place across swathes of Britain on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen — a fine powder which comes from plants, trees and grass. Around 10million people are thought to suffer from it.

As well as a runny nose and itchy eyes, it can cause a tickly throat, headaches and tiredness.

Sufferers are advised to put Vaseline around their nose to trap pollen, or wear wrap-around sunglasses to protect their eyes.

Met Office forecast shows a ‘high’ or ‘very high’ pollen count across the country over the weekend

As the weekend comes to an end, pollen levels are expected to drop across the nation leaving just three areas with ‘very high’ pollen levels – East of England, South West England and London & South East England. Hay fever sufferers in England can expect to be hit with ‘very high’ pollen levels entering next week as the pollen count is set to rise again on Monday, June 26

Other tips include showering when returning home, keeping windows closed in the early mornings and evenings when pollen levels are particularly high, and avoiding gardening and hanging laundry outdoors. 

Grass pollen is the culprit for the current surge, according to the Met Office.

‘Very high’ pollen alerts (red) are in place today for everywhere except Orkney and Shetland, Grampian, and Highlands and Eilean Siar.

The same warnings remain in place for London and the South East, the South West and the East throughout the weekend.

Pollen levels fluctuate between ‘high’ (orange) and very high for the rest of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Medium warnings are in place for Scotland’s northern-most regions on some days.

HayMax creator Mr Wiseberg said: ‘Now is probably the best time to put together a Hay Fever First Aid Kit.’