What you need to know about weed pollen season

12th July 2023

What you need to know about weed pollen season

Summer is often the time most associated with hay fever. In fact, we’ve covered the topic before. Extensively. But did you know that pollen season can start in early spring and go all the way through to late autumn – if not longer?

This is because there are three different “pollen” timeframes. You have tree pollen season in spring, grass pollen in summer, and weed pollen in autumn. A person may be allergic to just one or a mix of all three. So it means that, for some people, the annoyance of hay fever won’t be over for a while yet.

To help, we want to talk more about weed pollen, its symptoms, and which weeds are the biggest culprits. Let’s dive in!

When and what is weed pollen season?

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when weed pollen season starts. It largely depends on the weather and issues like climate change are shifting the window. But, typically, it can start as early as June and runs through to September. This is usually the season where weeds release their pollen as part of their reproductive process.

You’re more likely to feel the effects of your hay fever on warmer, drier days as there’s nothing in the air to get in the way of the pollen particles, so to speak. Wetter weather tends to suppress it, but the increase in rainfall might nourish weeds enough to release more pollen.

Symptoms of weed pollen allergy

The symptoms are pretty standard fare for hay fever. You’re going to experience the usual mix of a runny or blocked nose, watery eyes, scratchy throat, and potentially even difficulty breathing.

It’s important not to confuse an allergic reaction to a normal reaction to coming into contact with a weed. Nettles are the prime example. Brushing past one tends to bring you out in a bumpy rash, but this isn’t because of an allergy. They have small hairs on their leaves which leave irritants on your skin, causing the breakout. Hogweed does something similar.

What weeds to look out for

If you want to reduce your symptoms, it’s a good idea to get rid of any weeds in close proximity. Say, those in your garden. But what should you look out for? There are plenty of varieties, but here are some common examples:

• Nettles
• Ragweed
• Hogweed
• Mugwort
• Dock plants
• Plantain weeds

It’s unfortunate that weeds are so abundant as it makes avoiding its pollen a challenge. But if you take the necessary precautions and make sure you have any medication you need, you can reduce the toll it takes on you. Talk to your GP about the right treatment for you – or better yet, find an allergist to give you tailored advice.

Our team of allergy specialists know how difficult living with hay fever can be. Get in touch to talk to us about how you can live a happier and healthier life. Call us on 02031 433 449 or register as a new patient today.

Your springtime guide to pollen and hay fever

23rd March 2022

Your springtime guide to pollen and hay fever

We recently talked about seasonal allergies and how they seem to be coming earlier and lasting longer. We’re well into March now, so some people will be starting to notice those telltale signs. A runny nose. Itchy eyes. Scratchy throat. Yep, hay fever season is here.

But you don’t have to suffer in silence. Here’s our springtime guide for dealing with your hay fever and pollen allergies, and what you can do to stop them in their tracks.

Symptoms to look out for

The problem with seasonal allergies happening earlier is that there’s overlap with winter illnesses such as a cold or the flu. Along with something like coronavirus. So some people might not realise it’s actually their hay fever acting up.

We all know the obvious symptoms:

• Runny, stuffy nose
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Scratchy throat or coughing

But there are some you might not realise are related to your allergy:

• Headaches, particularly around the temples (likely a sinus backup)
• Exhaustion
• Earache
• Loss of smell

Headaches, especially, are something we often attribute to something else. Not drinking enough water, not getting enough sleep – you get the idea. But you might want to pay attention to the kind of headaches you get. Do they feel like they come from a blockage? Are they more around the front of your head? If so, it could be hay fever and sinus-related.

How to minimise symptoms

There are steps you can take to keep your symptoms at bay. The issue is when pollen reaches you and causes a reaction. So you need to do what you can to keep the pollen away.

If you like to have your windows open, this could be making your symptoms worse, so keep them closed. Make a habit of checking the pollen counts too, so you know if it’s worth going outside. Speaking of outside, don’t dry your washing in the fresh air. Pollen can stick to it and you’ll bring it right into your house.

If you like going for walks, stay away from grassy, open spaces. If you live near the coast, consider going there. If not, stay in more urban areas. Especially if the grass near your favourite walking spot has just been cut.

Preventative measures

There are other ways you could prevent hay fever from bothering you. Over-the-counter antihistamines are regularly used by people suffering, as are nasal sprays. Before you do this though, you might want to talk with your doctor.

They may have a better suggestion for helping you deal with your symptoms. It might also be the case that they recommend you don’t take over-the-counter medication. Always consult them before taking any medicine, just in case.

It’s always a rough time of year for people with hay fever, but don’t worry. Just follow these tips and you’ll avoid any unnecessary exposure to pollen. You won’t ever be 100% able to get rid of it, but at least you can minimise any aggravation.

Don’t let your hay fever get you down this spring. Talk to the experts at the London Allergy and Immunology Centre today. We can help you with any allergy woes. Sign up as a new patient or call us on 02031 433 449.