Hayfever sufferers are likely to be feeling worse for longer as climate change increases the number of days in the year when conditions are ripe for the allergy.

Analysis covering the period from 1994 to 2024 reveals that every city in the study experienced an increase in pollen-producing days, but southern areas are likely to be worst affected by longer pollen seasons.

The story was covered extensively by ITV and its regional desks – ITV London, ITV Anglia, ITV Meridian, ITV Wales and ITV Tyne Tees – the Express, iNews, York Press, Colchester Gazette and North Wales Online.

Overall since 1994, England has seen an average 20 day increase in the pollen season, Wales and Scotland experienced increases of about 19 days, while Northern Ireland saw an increase of approximately 20 days.

The data shows:

• 131 cities registered an increase of at least 21 days (three weeks).
• Eight cities—including Plymouth, Brentwood, Hornchurch, Grays, Romford, Basildon, Weymouth, and Colchester—experienced the highest jump of 29 days.
• An additional 91 cities, such as Aberdeen, Manchester, Bootle, York, Belfast, and Edinburgh, saw increases ranging between two to three weeks.
• The East of England led with nearly a 25-day increase.
• The South West, London, South East, and East Midlands recorded increases of 24, 23, 21, and 20 days respectively.

This increase in the number of pollen days is in line with Met Office’s predictions; it says a changing climate may lengthen the normal UK pollen season and make concentrations of pollen higher. Some research has shown that air pollution may make pollen grains more potent and more likely to trigger an allergic reaction. (Is hay fever getting worse in the UK?)

Scotland

In 2024 Scotland experienced 121.1 days with conditions ripe for hayfever, up from 97.5 in 1994. Edinburgh had the highest number of hayfever days in 2023 (153 days), up from 117 in 1994.

England

In England there were 187.1 days with conditions conducive to hayfever in 2024, compared to 152.5 in 1994. 

Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction to the pollen produced by plant life, causing symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose. Warmer temperatures caused by climate change can lead to longer growing seasons for plants that produce pollen, resulting in extended periods of allergy symptoms for sufferers. 

Additionally, increased carbon dioxide levels can enhance pollen production, making hay fever more severe. Temperatures between 13 to 15 degrees are ideal for the release of tree pollen while  grass produces pollen when temperatures are 18 to 28 degrees.

Pharmacist: hayfever season is “definitely longer”

Pharmacist, Vikki Furneaux, 44, from York says the hayfever season is “definitely longer, and also more erratic.  She said: “When I graduated, people took medication for around a two-month period but now they are less sure when the season is, so it is more unpredictable when they need to take antihistamines.”

It impacts treatment, she said: “As the best way to get on top of and keep on top of hayfever is to start using an over-the-counter steroid nasal spray at least two-to-three weeks before the season starts.” 

In a cost of living crisis, getting sufficient treatment can be a problem for some

She said: “For people struggling with the cost of living, they are an added expense, while the best way to get on top of symptoms is to use a combination of items, which costs more money.”

Symptoms are not only beginning earlier but can then be followed by a snap of cold weather then start again. 

She said: “Sufferers are also coming up against some of the cold and flu season - some of the symptoms are similar to hayfever - so it’s more difficult to get on top of things. Some people are coming in with symptoms they didn’t realise were hayfever.”

Sofie Jenkinson, Co-Director of Round Our Way, an organisation that supports people impacted by weather extremes in the UK, said:  “Hayfever is becoming an almost year-round problem for sufferers in the UK. Longer hay fever seasons are just one of the health impacts Brits are facing as temperatures in the UK rise.

“As we all see around us, climate change is making Britain warmer and a lot wetter. We urgently need politicians to make sure we are better prepared for the worrying new weather we’re facing and to tackle the pollution that is causing it.”

Michelle Young, Climate Impacts Research Associate at Climate Central, said: “Warmer spring and autumn temperatures, driven by climate change, are extending the pollen season, causing hay fever sufferers to experience symptoms earlier and for longer periods. As temperatures rise, allergy symptoms are becoming more frequent, sometimes occurring outside the typical peak times. Without significant reductions in emissions, this trend is expected to worsen, leading to greater discomfort for those with seasonal allergies.”

Gemma Plumb, and Climate at Weather Change, said: "We are seeing changes in temperatures and rainfall here in the UK as a result of climate change, and this is having an impact on the pollen season. For some it means the pollen season is becoming longer and now extends into the spring and autumn. The longer hay fever season is just one of the ways that people are being impacted by climate change."