Traditionally people associate hayfever with the summer months of May and June caused by a peak in grass pollen. It is however a good deal more complicated than that as the symptoms of hayfever can be brought on from all sorts of pollens derived from many different types of plant, for example trees, weeds or even crops, all of which tend to pollinate at different times of the year.
Birch pollen levels traditionally peak earlier than grass in April, however as a result of the severe cold spells we experienced in January of this year, that peak may now occur as early as March.
Prof Jean Emberlin, director of National Pollen & Aerobiological Research Unitexplains "The timing of pollen release will vary and is highly dependent on the harshness of the preceding winter. Birch trees need cold weather to lift them from dormancy; if this does not occur and we have a mild winter then pollen arrives later by up to two weeks."
Furthermore not only is it likely that the hayfever season will start earlier this year, but according to Prof Jean Emberlin, there may also be a marked increased in the birch pollen levels as well. "Birch trees tend to pollinate more heavily biannually (every other year) and this year, 2010 is a year when it is likely to be high. This year it is anticipated the birch pollen will start arriving in mid March with very high counts in many areas."
This intensity of pollen will almost certainly result in allergy sufferers feeling that the hayfever season has got off to an early start. However help is at hand. Symptoms can be effectively relieved by taking an antihistamine such as Zirtek, in the same way that you would during the peak hayfever season.
The concern is that with birch pollen arriving so early, many hayfever sufferers may misdiagnose their symptoms, thinking they have a cold and as a result could take the wrong treatment for their symptoms.
