While many across Liverpool will be making the most of the July heatwave, as temperatures are set to rise it is bad news for hay fever sufferers.
Liverpool City Council has shared advice as the region has been put under a Level 3 heat health alert by the Met Office. Forecasters claim that the North West will feel temperatures in the high 20s while in the south, temperatures could hit as high as 33C.
But the city's pollen levels are expected to be higher than anywhere else in the country as they reach "very high levels" for the first time this year. According to the Kleenex Pollen Tracker, the heatwave has caused a "nationwide pollen bomb".
READ MORE: Liverpool issued health alert as heatwave set to reach 33C in UK
For Liverpool, Monday is set to see "very high" levels of 303PPM, compared to "High" on Tuesday with 95PPM and "High" on Wednesday with 80PPM. As the UK faces record heatwaves this summer, hay fever sufferers have been warned to prepare themselves for worsening symptoms as long-term exposure to extreme heat increases the risks of hay fever.
As almost 3 in 5 (58%) allergy sufferers are unsure of what pollen they are allergic to, you can take an Allergy Quiz to understand more about your allergies. And for those planning to enjoy the sunshine, Jin Zhang, Global Medical Director at Kleenex UK, shares her top tips to help manage hay fever symptoms:
- Consider your wardrobe choices - To stop pollen from reaching your face, hair and importantly, eyes, we recommend wearing accessories such as hats and wrap-around sunglasses.
- Schedule your daily outings carefully -To help manage symptoms and plan ahead make sure you check the Kleenex Pollen Forecast before leaving the house.
- Taking allergy medicines before your outing - Most allergy treatments work best when taken early to prevent your body from releasing histamine and other chemicals that cause your symptoms.
- Always have a packet of tissues at hand - Soft tissues like Kleenex Allergy Comfort Tissues are advised
- Shower when you return home - When you return home, take a shower as soon as possible as pollen can stay on your skin and hair after you have been outside.
- Avoid gardening, mowing lawns, or raking leaves - If you suffer from a grass pollen allergy you should avoid these tasks and assign them to someone who does not suffer from hay fever.
- Rethink your laundry routine - To stop pollen lingering on bedding and clothes, wash your bedding in hot, soapy water once a week and avoid drying your bedding and clothes outside.
- Allergen barrier balm - Applying an allergen barrier balm around sunglasses and at the base of the nostril can be helpful for allergy sufferers
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