What is the pollen count in my area right now? How to find out
Ah, spring. The flowers are starting to bloom and we’re looking at the warmest day of the year so far.
It’s easy to get excited about warmer weather and longer days once we pass the Easter bank holiday.
People might think about days spent pottering around in the garden or lazy afternoons in the beer garden with friends.
But, in all the excitement, we often forget that it’s not all good news. For those who suffer from hay fever, this is the time of the year that your eyes start to itch, your nose starts to run and misery kicks in.
To plan ahead, how can you find out the pollen counts in your local area, from London and beyond?
How to check the pollen count in your area
One of the easiest ways to check the pollen count is to use a specially designed online pollen tracker, courtesy of Kleenex.
A smart move on their part, as hay fever sufferers will need something to wipe away the snot and tears.
The online pollen tracker uses your location data to give you an accurate reading, but you can also edit the location if you’re planning on visiting a friend or taking a day trip.
You’re guaranteed an accurate pollen count too, as Kleenex’s Pollen Pal takes data from Ambee, across several sources, including:
- Pollen traps across the UK and beyond
- Local weather on the day
- The different types of trees, weeds and grass in your area.
Another tracker which allows you to see the forecast for the next five days is available through the Met Office.
This is best if you want to plan for days in the future, say, if you’re going on a weekend break.
Five tips to help with hay fever
As well as sharing a pollen tracker, Kleenex offer up some top tips for dealing with the symptoms of hay fever.
These include:
Shower and change your clothes after being outdoors – this will stop the pollen spreading to other clothes or furniture in your home
Apply petroleum gel just under your nose – a bit of Vaseline on your nostrils can catch pollen, meaning you can easily wipe it off and it doesn’t cause irritation by being inhaled.
Wear wraparound sunglasses – the Kardashians made them popular again, serendipitously. They help keep pollen out of the eyes, avoiding the scratchy feeling that drives sufferers mad.
Keep your hands clean – an easy way to avoid wiping pollen on your eyes or nose is to regularly wash your hands when out and about.
Dry your laundry inside – frustrating for sufferers, but avoiding hanging your clothes on the line on a fresh, sunny day can help. While fresh sheets are lovely, you don’t want to go to bed with laundry full of pollen spores.
MORE : Natural remedies you can buy to help soothe pesky hay fever symptoms
MORE : Thunder fever: Why thunderstorms can make your hay fever worse – and how to cope
Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share your views in the comments below.