Allergen specialist Max Wiseberg is advising people to keep their doors and windows shut to keep pollen out of their homes during the thunderstorms.
Mr Wiseberg, who is behind organic barrier balm HayMax, explained how higher pollen counts and stormy weather can “whip up” pollen grains and “carry them for miles”.
Hay fever sufferers are being warned to get prepared amid thunderstorm warnings being in place across a lot of the UK.
What is ‘thunder fever?’
Kleenex says that when thunderstorms and a high pollen count collide, people with allergies experience the phenomenon known as ‘thunder fever’.
This thunderstorm hay fever is a more intense version of hay fever and can cause symptoms like:
- Shortness of breath
- Runny or blocked nose
- Sneezing and coughing
- Fatigue
- Itchiness
- Headaches
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
Can you get hay fever when it rains?
Mr Wiseberg explained: “New weather warnings issued by the Met Office are for thunderstorms, and although rain generally means less pollen in the air, thunderstorms can cause a phenomenon called ‘thunder fever’.
“This means that even the stormy weather might not give sufferers the respite they would expect.
“Storms cause great movements in the air, both bringing pollen grains down which might have otherwise risen above head height out of harm’s way, and whipping up pollen grains near the ground.”
Mr Wiseberg continued: “And don’t think that living in the city will spare you from this either; the thunderstorm can pick all this pollen up and carry it for miles before dumping it at head height in the city.”
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How to help prevent hay fever
One of the best ways of dealing with pollen is to prevent it getting into your body in the first place.
Creating a physical barrier to the pollen with an allergen barrier balm around the nostrils and bones of the eyes, helps keep pollen out.
“And don’t forget, during the thunderstorm, and during the day when pollen counts are high, keep doors and windows shut to keep pollen out of your home,” Mr Wiseberg added.
