When is Hay Fever Season?: A Guide To Pollen Types & Allergies Through The Year - UK Edition

Hay fever is a condition that affects around one in four people in the United Kingdom. That is roughly 16 million people that will struggle with some form of hay fever symptoms for the majority of the year. The UK is currently the country with the most hay fever sufferers in the United Kingdom, with Australia coming in a very close second. It is not a surprise then that so many people are keen to learn more about the condition that affects them. In this article, we will provide all the information you need to know about hay fever season in the United Kingdom. We will outline the different pollen types, and what pollen type is the most common in the United Kingdom. Many people will be aware that there are different types of pollen that can affect hay fever sufferers at different times of the year. By learning more about the different types of pollen and when they are most prominent you will be making yourself more aware of why your hay fever may be worse at different times. 

Key Takeaways

When is Hay Fever Season?

Hay fever season in the UK runs from March to September, with May, June, and July being the worst months due to high pollen levels.

Types of Pollen

There are three main types of pollen that cause hay fever:

• Tree Pollen (Spring: March-May)

• Grass Pollen (Summer: May-July)

• Weed Pollen (Summer/Autumn: June-September)

Climate Change Makes Hay Fever Worse

Rising temperatures can make plants produce more pollen for longer, meaning worse hay fever symptoms in the future.

When is hay fever season in the UK?

Hayfever season is the time of year when the concentration of pollen in the air is at its highest. This will then cause people to suffer from hay fever symptoms more than at any other time of the year. As mentioned, there are different types of pollen that we get in the United Kingdom that will be more prominent at different times of the year. Hayfever season is the period of time when the most potent pollen types are at their peak.  

The time of year considered to be hay fever season in the United Kingdom will be from the end of March/start of April until the end of September. The most potent pollen types will be at their peak in May, June and July. During these months people may experience the worst symptoms. Thankfully, over-the-counter hay fever medications are good enough to treat the majority of hay fever sufferers. For more severe sufferers, other treatment options are available including injections or prescription hay fever medications. Some medications you can use include Relestat Eye Drops, Ryaltris Nasal Spray, Alomide Eye Drops (Lodoxamide), Olopatadine Eye Drops, Benadryl Allergy Relief (Acrivastine) and Opticrom Eye Drops (sodium cromoglicate).

Google Web Story: When is Hay Fever Season in the UK?

When is pollen most common in the UK?

Simply put, pollen is common year-round, however, the time of year that will most affect hay fever sufferers will be in the spring and summer. This is because pollen levels are higher. As mentioned, pollen levels will peak in May, June and July and it will be during this time that the majority of people's hay fever symptoms will be at their worst. There are a number of different pollen types that will be more common at different times of the year.

Summary Table: Pollen Types by Month UK

When does hay fever season end?

According to the Met Office, the hay fever season will last from around late March to the end of September. It is important to note that hay fever symptoms will differ throughout the year depending on the type of pollen that is most prevalent. Tree pollen occurs first, and will last from late March to mid-May. This type of pollen affects around 25% of people. The majority of people are allergic to grass pollen. This type usually has two peaks throughout the year, typically between mid-May and July. Weed pollen can be released at any time, however, the season typically lasts from the end of June to the end of September.

What are the most common pollen types in the UK?

As mentioned there are a number of different pollen types that can be found in the United Kingdom. Pollen types are typically split across three different sections. These are tree, grass and weed. Here are all of the most common pollen types that can be found in the United Kingdom throughout the year:

Tree Pollen

• Hazel

Typically found in the UK in lowland woodland and in scrub hedgerows.

• Alder

In the UK, Alder trees will grow mostly around rivers, lakes and ponds.

• Yew

Yew trees are most commonly found in southern England, typically in oak woodlands.

• Elm

Elm trees are now very rare in the UK due to certain diseases. They are occasionally found in hedgerows and woodland.

• Willow

Willow trees will be commonly found in the UK in wetter areas such as river banks, ponds and lakes.

• Poplar

There are three types of Poplar trees that are declining species in the UK. They are most commonly found growing in isolation, away from other trees.

• Ash

Ash is an abundant tree species in the UK and can be found in most wooded areas of the UK.

• Birch

There are many different types of Birch trees. They are relatively common, especially in Scotland.

• Plane

Plane trees are also known as London planes due to how common they are in London.

• Oak

Oak trees are the most dominant trees in Britain. They are very common and can grow in a variety of areas.

• Pine

Pine trees are most commonly found in Scotland and are sometimes known as Scots pine.

• Lime

Varieties of Lime trees grow naturally in lime-rich soils commonly found in the Pennines and the Wye Valley.

Grass Pollen

Grass pollen is a fine powdery substance that is released into the air during the grass flowering season which is typically in the spring and summer months. 

Weed Pollen

• Oil Seed Rape

Oil seed rape is commonly used in cattle feed, cooking oils, biodiesel and cleaning products. It is a very common plant that is grown by farmers across the United Kingdom.

• Plantain

English plantain will produce more pollen than other plantains. English plantains grow in fields, lawns, at the roadside and other areas that are regularly disturbed.

• Nettle

Nettles grow all over the UK in riverbanks, hedgerows, grassy areas and areas where the ground is littered with rubble.

• Dock

Dock leaves can help with nettle stings. They commonly grow in the same areas as nettles.

• Mugwort

Mugwort is native to areas of waste such as hedgerows and waysides. It is most common in lowland Britain. 

Pollen Types by Season

Here are all of the pollen types that occur during the different seasons throughout the year. 

Which pollen types are present in Spring (between March, April and May)?

Here are the most common types of pollen during the spring months:

Tree Pollen

• Hazel

• Alder

• Yew

• Elm

• Willow

• Poplar

• Ash

• Birch

• Plane

• Oak

• Pine

Weed Pollen

• Oil Seed Rape

Which pollen types are present in Summer (between June, July and August)?

Here are the most common types of pollen during the summer months:

Tree Pollen

• Lime

• Grass Pollen

Weed Pollen

• Nettle

• Dock

• Mugwort

Which pollen types are present in Autumn (between September, October and November)?

Here are the most common types of pollen during the autumn months:

• Grass pollen

Weed Pollen

• Nettle

• Dock

• Mugwort

Which pollen types are present in Winter (between December, January and February)?

Here are the most common types of pollen during the winter months:

Tree Pollen

• Hazel

• Alder

• Yew

• Elm

• Willow

Pollen Types Month by Month

Here are all of the pollen types that are prominent during each month of the year:

What are the most common pollen types and hay fever symptoms in January?

Here are the pollen types that are around in January:

Tree Pollen

• Hazel

• Alder

• Yew

What are the most common pollen types and hay fever symptoms in February?

Here are the pollen types that are around in February:

Tree Pollen

• Hazel

• Alder

• Yew

• Elm

• Willow

What are the most common pollen types and hay fever symptoms in March?

Here are the pollen types that are around in March:

Tree Pollen

• Hazel

• Alder

• Yew

• Elm

• Willow

• Poplar

• Ash

• Birch

• Plane

Weed Pollen

• Oil Seed Rape

What are the most common pollen types and hay fever symptoms in April?

Here are the pollen types that are around in April:

Tree Pollen

• Hazel

• Alder

• Yew

• Elm

• Willow

• Poplar

• Ash

• Birch

• Plane

• Oak

• Pine

• Grass

Weed Pollen

• Oil Seed Rape

• Plantain

What are the most common pollen types and hay fever symptoms in May?

Here are the pollen types that are around in May:

Tree Pollen

• Poplar

• Ash

• Birch

• Plane

• Oak

• Pine

• Grass

Weed Pollen

• Oil Seed Rape

• Plantain

• Dock

What are the most common pollen types and hay fever symptoms in June?

Here are the pollen types that are around in June:

Tree Pollen

• Birch

• Pine

• Lime

• Grass

Weed Pollen

• Oil Seed Rape

• Plantain

• Dock

What are the most common pollen types and hay fever symptoms in July?

Here are the pollen types that are around in July:

Tree Pollen

• Lime

• Grass

Weed Pollen

• Oil Seed Rape

• Plantain

• Nettle

• Dock

• Mugwort

What are the most common pollen types and hay fever symptoms in August?

Here are the pollen types that are around in August:

• Grass

Weed Pollen

• Plantain

• Nettle

• Dock

• Mugwort

What are the most common pollen types and hay fever symptoms in September?

Here are the pollen types that are around in September:

• Grass

Weed Pollen

• Nettle

• Dock

• Mugwort

What are the most common pollen types and hay fever symptoms in October, November and December?

Usually, there are no pollen types that are around in October however, you may experience some hay fever symptoms due to weed pollen that is released late, or other allergens such as mould. 

How will climate change affect pollen patterns in the UK?

Climate change is affecting more than just the ice caps. It is expected to have a major impact on pollen patterns in the UK. As global temperatures rise the time and duration of the pollen season are expected to shift, which will result in changes to the amount of pollen produced and the time of year that it is produced. Warmer temperatures can cause plants to produce more pollen for an extended period of time which will lead to pollen counts soaring. This will have a very detrimental impact on those with allergies. Plant distribution may also alter due to rising temperatures. Plants that are found in southern Europe may migrate more north as temperatures rise. This may mean new species grow in the UK, increasing pollen count further. This will also lead to an increased demand for hay fever medications, like those that you can purchase online from UK Meds. 

Sources

• Kleenex Pollen Calendar

• UK Pollen Calendar and Hayfever Allergy

• Met Office: When is Hayfever Season?

• UK Allergy Pollen Allergy Peak Seasons