BRITS are being warned to brace for a “pollen bomb” this weekend as the Met Office issues red alerts across seven regions.
A new pollen forecast map for today shows a ‘very high' warning level across much of England and , meaning millions could be hit by sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and runny noses.
The seven areas include large parts of South West England, including , , , and .
In the South East, regions including London, , , , and are also on red alert.
The East of England is affected too, with , , , and Cambridgeshire expected to see soaring pollen levels.
The West Midlands, including , , and , as well as the East Midlands, covering Nottingham, , and , are also hit.
In Wales, the alert is focused on the south, particularly around , , and Newport.
Meanwhile, the North West of England, including , Liverpool, and , is also bracing for a pollen surge.
The Met Office said the alerts come as warm, dry conditions allow tree pollen to thrive, especially birch, which is currently at its peak.
Meanwhile, northern England, Northern Ireland and southern are expected to see high levels, while northern Scotland gets some relief with only moderate pollen risk.
Hay fever affects one in four UK adults, and experts say it's on the rise due to climate change and longer pollen seasons.
Yolanda Clewlow, the pollen forecast manager, said:
“The pollen season has already started and people sensitive to tree pollen may have noticed the early species in the air.”
She added that birch pollen could be especially intense this year due to the conditions during last summer.
Allergy UK nurse advisor Holly Shaw warns hay fever can seriously affect day-to-day life if not managed properly.
Symptoms can include sneezing, itchy throat and eyes, blocked nose, and for some, it may even trigger asthma.
Experts recommend managing hay fever symptoms by taking non-drowsy antihistamines daily, which help reduce sneezing, itching, and runny noses without causing drowsiness.
They also suggest starting corticosteroid nasal sprays at least two weeks before symptoms typically begin, to allow the medication time to build up and be most effective.
Additionally, using saline sprays can help rinse out allergens, while barrier balms applied around the nostrils may help trap pollen before it enters the nasal passages.
If get worse or you start experiencing wheezing or difficulty breathing, it’s important to speak to a doctor.
And with this weekend's pollen bomb on the way, it might be time to shut the windows, stock up on medication and maybe rethink that picnic.
