Is hay fever worse in 2022? And what is thunder fever?
Posted: 6th July 2022 | Posted by Costa
Is hay fever worse in 2022? And what is thunder fever?
We’ve talked at length about how annoying hay fever can be. When you just want to enjoy the summer sun, the last thing you want is a runny nose, scratchy throat, and itchy eyes. And if you ask some people, this year has been a particularly bad one.
But is there anything to it? Has 2022 been especially filled with pollen? Let’s take a look at what the Met Office has been saying, why some people keep talking about ‘thunder fever’, and if there’s anything you can do about it.
Is hay fever worse this year?
The short answer is yes and no. No because, according to the Met Office, this year’s pollen levels haven’t been noteworthy. Not compared to previous years at least.
Instead, they attribute increasing hay fever symptoms to the weather. Because we had a warm spring – and a wet one too – the pollen may be more “potent”. And the sunny weather we’ve been having recently will encourage plants to release this potent pollen.
Dr Luke Powles of Bupa also threw out the theory that COVID restrictions could have played a part. By staying indoors more, we’ve had less contact with pollen, which means our body hasn’t built up a bit of immunity to it.
What about thunder fever?
You might have seen stories about ‘thunder fever’ and how this might also exacerbate allergies. So what is it? Thunder fever refers to the event when thunderstorms and high pollen levels combine. The wild winds of the thunderstorm whip up pollen into the air, dispersing it around.
Thunder fever also affects people with asthma as the humid weather and high levels of pollen make it harder to breathe. The name comes from a spate of people dying from asthma attacks during thunderstorms in Australia in 2017.
Another term you might see combined with this in the media is ‘super pollen’. This is referring to the thunderstorms breaking up the potent pollen into smaller particles, thus making symptoms even worse. The Met Office stresses that super pollen – and thunder fever – aren’t scientific terms and are still being researched. So take these stories with a good pinch of salt.
Advice for treating your hay fever
Pollen is the culprit causing your hay fever, so you want to avoid it where possible. In your home, this means opening your windows less frequently – especially while you sleep. We know this sounds unbearable, but leaving your windows open is an invitation for pollen. And when it gets inside, it’s going to stick to your furniture.
Speaking of which, cleaning more is also a good idea. Vacuum and dust everything frequently to keep the pollen at bay. If you have a cat or dog that’s been outside, they might have pollen stuck to them. So keep them off the furniture, at least until you’ve given them a bath.
Other than that, standard antihistamines will help. Though if you are unsure, consult your GP – or an allergy specialist – first. This year might feel bad for hay fever sufferers, but hopefully arming yourself with this information will make it easier to avoid any allergy outbreaks.
If you have any questions about your hay fever (or other conditions such as asthma), reach out to our team on 02031 433 449. You can also register with us as a new patient here.