When is allergy season? And why is it lasting longer?
Posted: 16th February 2022 | Posted by Costa
When is allergy season? And why is it lasting longer?
For anyone with a pollen allergy, certain times of the year can be a bit uncomfortable. These seasonal allergies crop up annually and are a miserable time of runny noses, watery eyes, and scratchy throats. If you have one, such as hay fever, you know how much of a pain they can be.
But did you know there are actually a few different seasonal allergies? People are typically only allergic to a certain type of pollen – most typically grass – but tree and weed pollen allergies exist too and can cause just as much trouble.
So when can you expect these allergies to appear? And why do they seem to be happening earlier and lasting longer?
Different types of pollen allergy
As we mentioned, there are three common pollen allergies:
- Tree pollen
- Grass pollen
- Weed pollen
In the UK, tree pollen is often the first, turning up around March and lasting until mid-May. Then you’re likely to see grass pollen last from here until July. At which point weed pollen kicks in until September.
This isn’t a guarantee as it will depend on where you are geographically. For example, colder or more urban environments might see less grass pollen because, well, there’s less grass. And it’s normal for people by the coast to have fewer symptoms for the same reason.
So your allergies will only start up in the appropriate season. If you notice hay-fever-like symptoms in September, it could well be a weed pollen allergy.
Climate change
But some people are noticing their symptoms start earlier and last longer. And it has been theorised that this is due to climate change. It makes sense; changing weather patterns will affect when plants distribute their pollen.
Trees tend to disperse their pollen in spring because the weather gets warmer and they can start to blossom. But if climate change is leading to milder winters around February time, then it stands to reason that they’ll release their pollen sooner.
This has the same impact at the tail end of the pollen seasons. If it stays warmer well into the autumn months, weed still has the perfect environment to release theirs. Some even think that pollen could be present for practically the entire year.
That’s before getting into invasive species. If the UK gets warmer, it could be a good place for foreign plants, like ragweed, to take hold. They can disperse a billion grains of pollen per season and cause strong reactions.
Thankfully, pollen allergies can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines. But you should always follow the advice of your doctor. Don’t take medication you aren’t sure you need. Talk to them first to find out more. Even better, talk to an allergy specialist who can test you for potential allergies, such as hay fever.
Our team of allergists has the knowledge and expertise to help you with any allergy woes. Register as a new patient or reach out to us on 02031 433 449.