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Hay Fever and Asthma Sufferers Urged To Take Precautions Ahead Of Weekend
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Those who are prone to asthma or hay fever have been warned to prepare for the weekend ahead, with a high pollen count on the cards across the UK.
According to the Met Office, this Friday and Saturday will see high pollen levels across England and Wales, with medium levels in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Asthma and Lung UK claims that more than three million people across the UK could be at risk as a result of a high pollen count.
The charity has urged sufferers to keep their preventer and reliever inhalers on-hand across the weekend to prevent asthma attacks or flare-ups.
Pollen can see those with asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) suffer from a tight chest, and shortness of breath and a wheeze or a cough.
Clinical lead for Asthma and Lung UK, Dr Andy Whittamore has warned that a high pollen count can be "deadly" to those who suffer with lung conditions.
Urging people to stay vigilant over the weekend, he suggested: "Using your preventer inhalers as prescribed is important as the medicine reduces sensitivity and swelling in the airways.
"We also advise people to carry their reliever inhalers every day, especially when they are out and about enjoying the sunshine in case pollen does cause a flare-up of their symptoms.
"The third thing people can do is to use a steroid nasal spray every day, together with non-drowsy antihistamine tablets to help stop the allergic reaction."
High pollen levels will also see hay fever sufferers dealing with symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes and throat, tiredness, headaches and sneezing.
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While there is no known cure or preventative measure for hay fever, there are a number of tips recommended by the NHS that can help to ease symptoms.
These include, staying indoors and keeping windows shut when possible if pollen counts are high, putting Vaseline around your nostrils, wearing wraparound sunglasses, buying a pollen filter for the air vents in your car, and vacuuming and dusting regularly.
