Bad news for Britain's 15m hayfever sufferers, as the Met Office has forecasted ‘high’ levels of pollen in the South today, with the Midlands seeing ‘very high’ counts on Friday.
According to Allergy UK, 72% of those with hay fever suffer for more than two months and 15% of sufferers are so affected by their hay fever they are 'prisoners to pollen' and don’t like leaving their own house
Allergy UK tell Huffpost Lifestyle: "Pollens from trees, grasses and weeds that commonly cause hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) are released from plants from approximately March to September.
"At the start of the season those allergic to tree pollen can be affected by the UK birch pollen season in March-June. However, sufferers that are allergic to grass pollen (the most common cause of hay fever) usually experience symptoms in the UK from May-July."
According to the charity, people with respiratory conditions such as asthma or hay fever may also find their symptoms worsen when they are near rapeseed fields.
"Rapeseed flowering season is from Mid April to June. Rapeseed produces volatile oils in the atmosphere which can irritate sensitive airways, " said a spokesperson for the charity.
In the UK, nearly a quarter (23%) of adult hay fever sufferers say the condition makes them miserable, 38% find it difficult to sleep and 29% feel unable to concentrate, according to survey by Allergy UK.
And it's bad news for bosses this week, as once in five say it makes it hard for them to do their job.