Very high pollen count in the capital this week will leave Londoners sneezing

The pollen count across London and the South East is set to be very high in the coming days.

Hayfever sufferers in the capital can expect plenty of sneezing and wheezing due to high levels of birch and ash pollen.

The Met Office is warning Londoners to expect a high pollen count today and a very high pollen count tomorrow as temperatures surpass 20C.

The capital is bracing for a mini heatwave over the coming days as temperatures soar and the sun is set to shine. It will hit highs of 22C in London tomorrow (Friday) afternoon.

The pollen count will also be very high on Monday, so dig out your antihistamine tablets.

What are the common signs of hayfever?

• Sneezing – Frequent sneezing, especially when outdoors or in areas with high pollen levels.
• Runny or Stuffy Nose – A watery nasal discharge or a stuffy nose due to inflammation of the nasal passages.
• Itchy Eyes – Itchy, red, or swollen eyes, often accompanied by excessive tearing (allergic conjunctivitis).
• Coughing – A dry, persistent cough that may be caused by post-nasal drip (mucus dripping down the back of the throat).
• Fatigue – Feeling unusually tired due to disrupted sleep and the body’s response to allergens.
• Sore Throat – This can be a result of throat irritation from mucus drainage.
• Headaches – Sinus pressure and inflammation can lead to headaches.
• Wheezing or Shortness of Breath – This is more common in individuals who also have asthma.

What is the pollen count?

According to the Met Office: The “pollen count” is literally the amount of pollen per cubic metre observed over 24 hours. It is sometimes used interchangeably with the term “pollen forecast” but the pollen count is used, along with what the weather is up to, to forecast pollen levels over the coming days. The 'forecast' is actually a forecast of the risk of the level of pollen over the coming days.

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