Pollen and allergy

The UK has one of the highest rates of allergic disease, including allergic rhinitis, in the world. The latest estimates suggest that one-third of the total UK population - approximately 18 million people - will develop an allergy at some time in their lives.

Hayfever is one of the most common allergies in UK, affecting about 12 million people, 15 to 25% in the population as a whole.

The main culprits for hayfever/seasonal allergic rhinitis fall into three families: grasses, trees, herbaceous plants- especially if they produce airborne pollens (produced in large numbers to overcome the wastage).

Actually, hayfever should not really be called hayfever because it is caused by pollen and fungal spores not hay!

Now, let us examine the main pollen producers:

Trees

Trees are the earliest pollen producers, releasing their pollen as early as January and through May or June.
Trees can aggravate your allergy whether or not they are on your property, since trees release large amounts of pollen that can be distributed miles away from the originial source.
Of the 50,000 different kinds of trees, less than 100 have been shown to cause allergies. Most allergies are specific to one type of tree such as: catapala, elm, hickory, olive, pecan, sycamore, walnut, or to the male cultivar of certain trees.

Grass

As with tree pollen, grass pollen is regional as well as seasonal. In addition, grass pollen levels can be affected by temperature, time of day and rain.
Of the 1,200 species of grass that grow in UK, only a small percentage of these cause allergies.

Preventive strategies

Trees

If you buy trees for your yard, look for species that do not aggravate allergies such as crape myrtle, dogwood, fig, fir, palm, pear, plum, redbud and redwood trees or the female cultivars of ash, box elder, cottonwood, maple, palm, poplar or willow trees.

Grass

If you have a grass lawn, have someone else do the mowing. If you must mow the lawn yourself, wear a mask.

Keep grass cut short.

Choose ground covers that don't produce much pollen, such as Irish moss, bunch, and dichondra.

General

Avoid the outdoors between 5-10 am. Save outside activities for late afternoon or after a heavy rain, when pollen levels are lower.

Keep windows in your home and car closed to lower exposure to pollen. To keep cool, use air conditioners and avoid using window and attic fans.

Be aware that pollen can also be transported indoors on people and pets.

Dry your clothes in an automatic dryer rather than hanging them outside. Otherwise pollen can collect on clothing and be carried indoors.