THE UK is heading towards the worst day this year for hay fever.
Pollen counts will be 'very high' across almost the whole of the UK on Monday causing misery for millions.
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Only Orkney and Shetland and the Highlands and Eilean SIar, in Scotland, will have 'medium' counts.
It comes as the NHS saw a doubling in visits to its page onhay fever.
The NHS website has received an average of 11,736 visits a day since Monday June 18 compared to a daily average of 4,749 visits at the weekend – an increase of 147 per cent.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director, said: “Most people will be pleased to see summer finally arrive, but it also seems to have led to an increase in pollen levels and discomfort forhayfeversufferers."
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'Hay Day' was a term dubbed by the charity Asthma + Lung UK for the worst day of the year for people with hay fever, typically on June 21.
Allergens expert and creator of HayMax allergen barrier balms Max Wiseberg, says: "On Monday for 14 of the 16 UK regions – with only northern Scotland escaping.
"This will be worse than ‘Hay Day’ [Friday June 21] when ‘only’ 12 UK regions are likely to have very high pollen levels.
“Whether or not this turns out to be the case, this weekend and early next week will certainly be one of the worst times for hay fever sufferers.
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"Many regions of the UK are forecast to have high and very high pollen counts for the foreseeable future. We are definitely in peak hay fever season.”
Million Britons are plagued by symptoms of hay fever every summer from itchy eyes, a constant runny nose,headachesto irritating sneezes.
What is hay fever?
For people withasthma, high pollen levels can be fatal - and they've been warned to 'stay indoors'.
“More than three million people with asthma are affected by pollen and when levels are at their highest it can be deadly for those with a lung condition," said Erika Radford from Asthma + Lung UK.
"When pollen particles are breathed in, they can cause inflammation in the airways and get into the lungs, making it harder for those with lung conditions to breathe which can be terrifying," she explained.
However, Erica said there are things people with asthma can do to protect themselves.
“Checking pollen and air pollution forecasts in your local area every day is a good idea, so you can avoid going outdoors as much as possible on high pollen days," she said.
“You should always have your reliever inhaler nearby, even when at home, in case pollen does trigger symptoms like breathlessness or chest tightness.
"Reliever inhalers quickly relax the muscles in the airways to help you breathe more easily when symptoms arise.
“Another thing you can do is to take antihistamine medicines to relieve your hay fever symptoms.
"In addition, your GP can prescribe a steroid nasal spray to help reduce the allergic reaction."
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It comes after doctors revealed a man tore a hole in his throat after holding in a sneeze.
And a student nurse claimed doctors repeatedly dismissed her waxy ear and neck lumps as 'fresher's flu' or 'hay fever'.
Best hay fever treatments to buy online
1. Allergy Eye Mist
If you hate the thought of drops, consider an eye mist which works in the same way – just spray it once or twice onto closed eyelids to to three times a day.
TryOptrex ActiMist Double Action Spray Itchy Watery Eyes, £13.75.Boots Allergy Eye Mist, 10ml, £9.99, is suitable for all types of contact lenses too.
2. Cetirizine Allergy & Hay Fever Tablets
Products containing Cetirizine work to combat allergies without making you feel tired.
Superdrug's pack of 30 tabletscomes in at £5.45.
3. Hay Fever Relief Nasal Spray
For over-the-counter relief you could tryPirinase Allergy Relief Nasal Spray for Adultsx 60 Sprays from Superdrug, £8.39.
Or for something on prescription, tryBeclometasone Nasal Spray from ChemistClick, £5.49.
4. Vaseline
Dabbing a little bit of petroleum jelly around the edges of your nose works as a barrier to trap pollen before you breathe it in.
Try branded balms such asHaymax pure organic drug-free pollen barrier balm 5ml, £8.49. Or petroleum jelly such asVaselinedoes just the same job for only a fraction of the price.
5. The Eye Doctor Allergy Hay Fever Compress
The Eye Doctor Allergy Hay Fever Compress has thermal dynamic fabric, which uses regulated evaporation to cool more rapidly.
It helps to reduce puffiness, swelling, itching, inflammation and even headaches, and comes with an adjustable comfy strap.
You can buy it atSuperdrug for £8.99.
6. Throat spray
Ultra Chloraseptic Anaesthetic Throat Spray contains the active ingredient benzocaine which belongs to the group of medicines called local anaesthetics.
You can buy UltraChloraseptic Anaesthetic Throat Spray for £6 from Amazon.
