Why is hay fever so bad this year?

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Why is hay fever so bad this year?

Streaming eyes, itchy throat and that familiar nose-

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? If hay fever’****** you hard already, you’re not imagining it – 2025’s season started early, and it’s not letting up yet.

Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, affects around one in four people in the *** – an estimated 10 million in England alone. This year, unusually high pollen counts hit before April was out, triggering symptoms like sneezing fits, congestion, and fatigue

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.

Experts say a mix of

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and an intense birch pollen spike kicked things off weeks ahead of schedule. Grass pollen, which affects the majority of sufferers, is now on the rise, meaning symptoms will likely persist over the coming weeks.

“Tree pollen occurs first, typically from late March to mid-May. Grass pollen follows and has two peaks and lasts from mid-May until July,” explains Margaret Kelman, specialist allergy nurse at Allergy ***. “This year, people allergic to more than one type of pollen are really starting to feel it.”

While we can’t change the pollen count, there’s a lot you can do to reduce your exposure. From changing your clothes when you get home to using nasal balms and knowing when to shut the windows, here’s what you need to know – and how to stay one step ahead of the sniffles.

Why is hay fever worse this year?

The Met Office confirms that the spring weather in 2025 created the perfect conditions for high pollen levels. A spokesperson told Yahoo ***: “The weather this spring has been ideal for tree pollen being released, and the low rainfall has meant pollen has not been washed out of the atmosphere.”

This year’s

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season was particularly strong, which was expected. Birch follows a biennial cycle, and 2025 was predicted to be a high production year. Combined with the tail-end of the oak and plane pollen seasons, many sufferers were hit hard early on.

“We are currently in tree pollen season and are at the end of both oak and plane pollen seasons, so the levels of these have been reducing over the last few days,” the Met Office spokesperson added.

Where you live in the *** can also affect how early or severe your symptoms are. “There’s a later start and shorter season in the north of the ***, where generally there is less pollen,” says the spokesperson. “Urban areas tend to have lower counts than the countryside, and places inland have higher counts than around the coast.”

Next up: Grass pollen season

Grass pollen season is next, and for most hay fever sufferers, grass pollen is the primary trigger of symptoms.

“There are some early flowering species of grass pollen around that may start to affect some people, particularly sensitive to grass pollen,” the Met Office noted. With grass pollen, which affects the majority of hay fever sufferers, the season tends to peak from the first week of June through to mid-July.

Because the grass pollen season can bring two exposure peaks, it’s worth staying on top of symptoms to avoid flare-ups later in summer.

How to manage hay fever symptoms

Experts advise you to rethink your washing routine during high pollen days. (Getty Images)

Even if pollen levels are high, there are

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along with ways to reduce your exposure and manage symptoms effectively. Using

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can also help you anticipate peak seasons and manage symptoms more effectively, especially if you’re allergic to more than one type of pollen.

“Monitor pollen forecasts daily and, if possible, stay indoors on high pollen days,” advises Kelman. “Hay fever symptoms usually appear when the pollen count exceeds 50. Rain washes pollen from the air, so pollen counts are often lower on cooler, wet days.”

If you do have to head outside, Allergy *** recommends the following:

Wear the right gear

Wraparound sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat help stop pollen from reaching your eyes, face and hair. If possible, also wear a mask.

Change and wash

Pollen sticks to clothing and hair, so shower as soon as you get home and change out of outdoor clothes.

Block it out

Apply an effective allergen barrier balm around the nostrils to trap or block pollens.

Close windows

Keep windows shut at home and in the car, especially in the early morning and evening when pollen counts are highest.

Skip outdoor chores

Avoid mowing lawns or doing other garden work that stirs up pollen.

Rethink your washing routine

Avoid drying clothes or bed sheets outside on high-pollen days, as this can bring pollen inside.

Clean your pets

Wipe down cats or dogs with a damp microfibre cloth to remove pollen from fur.

If your symptoms persist or worsen despite using antihistamines and nasal sprays for hay fever and anti-allergy eyedrops, it’s worth seeking extra help, Allergy *** advises. If your symptoms do not improve using the above, or if they last more than two weeks and affect your ability to carry out everyday tasks or hobbies, it’s worth a visit to your GP or pharmacist.

Read more on hay fever:

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