Hay fever in February? Experts warn warm UK weather has brought out tree pollen a month early The unseasonably warm weather had led to some pollens being released a full month earlier than usual

Hay fever ruins, or at least puts a dampener on, a lot of people’s summers – around 13 million people suffer from the allergy in the UK.

But this year it’s doing its best to ruin winter too.

The unseasonably warm weather had led to some pollens being released a full month earlier than usual.

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And it’s led to people complaining of suffering from runny noses and itchy eyes in February.

Tree pollen releasing early

A Met Office spokesperson told i: “The last few weeks have been unseasonably mild with a lot of dry weather, this in combination with the relatively mild winter this year has provided the perfect conditions for pollen production and release.

“The tree pollen season has already started and we are seeing pollen from Alder, Elm and Hazel in particular. There are very high levels of Alder pollen which is causing many people to suffer with hay fever earlier than normal in the season.

“Alder and birch are related and, when levels are this high even people who are allergic to birch pollen can have a reaction.”

They added they are expecting birch pollen to come into season around the third week of March.

NHS hay fever advice Put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen

Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes

Shower and change your clothes after you’ve been outside to wash pollen off

Stay indoors whenever possible

Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible

Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth

Buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and a vacuum cleaner with a special HEPA filter

Rain will help

Dr Beverley Adams-Groom, a pollen forecaster at the University of Worcester, told i there is some better news, as we trade the warm weather for rain.

“The warm weather was leading to high pollen counts but with damper conditions now arriving the risk will be reduced,” she said.

“More people than usual have been experiencing symptoms due to the higher than usual pollen levels caused by perfect weather for dispersal.”

Allergy UK advises sufferers to stock up to visit a pharmacist and stock up on medicines and treatments early.