'Close windows and doors' UK alert issued until Friday June 19
People across the UK have been urged to keep their windows and doors closed in a recent NHS update. The health service has shared key advice after the latest Met Office forecast for this week may dismay millions of people who suffer from a common health condition.
According to the latest Met Office pollen forecast, levels will vary between 'Medium', 'High' and 'Very High' for the majority of England from Monday, June 15, to Friday, June 19. This means many hay fever sufferers will face an increased risk of symptoms. Parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales will also be hit with pollen.
In an alert issued by the NHS on Instagram, the health service said: "There are high levels of pollen across some parts of the country over the coming days. Hay fever is a common allergy that causes sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes. You cannot cure it, but there are things you can do to help your symptoms."
In the post, the NHS added several key points for hay fever sufferers to keep in mind, including 'dos' and 'don'ts'. The health service recommends people "keep windows and doors shut as much as possible".
On the NHS website, it explains: "There's currently no cure for hay fever, and you cannot prevent it. But you can do things to ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high." Keeping doors and windows closed when the pollen count is high can help ease hay fever symptoms by reducing pollen from entering, settling onto your furniture, and circulating in your living space.
Other steps the NHS advises people to take include the following:
- put petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) around your nostrils to trap pollen
- wear wraparound sunglasses, a mask or a wide-brimmed hat to stop pollen getting into your nose and eyes
- shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off
- keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
- vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
- try to use a pollen filter in the air vents of your car, if you have one, and a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner
At the moment, there isn't a cure for hay fever, and it can't be prevented. However, there are ways to help reduce your symptoms when the pollen levels are elevated. You can't stop hay fever from happening, but you can take steps to make yourself feel better when there's a lot of pollen in the air.
The NHS advises against the following:
- do not cut grass or walk on grass
- do not spend too much time outside
- do not keep fresh flowers in the house
- do not smoke or be around smoke - it makes your symptoms worse
- do not dry clothes outside - they can catch pollen
- do not let pets into the house if possible - they can carry pollen indoors
- sneezing and coughing
- a runny or blocked nose
- itchy, red or watery eyes
- itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
- loss of smell
- pain around the sides of your head and your forehead
- headache
- feeling tired
The NHS says: "Symptoms are usually worse between late March and September, especially when it's warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest. Hay fever can last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after one to two weeks."