The Rise And Rise Of Hay Fever

Melinda Messenger and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society offer hay fever advice as millions of sufferers may be prescribing the wrong medicine

There are almost 13 million people suffering from hay fever each year in the UK and according to new research over 5 million may be confusing their symptoms with a cold or flu and taking inappropriate medication to treat their condition.

With this year’s birch and grass pollen seasons overlapping, some experts are predicting that this year’s hay fever season will be one of the worst seen in the UK, as more people are suffering from symptoms earlier in the year. Whether its global warming or growing sensitivity, figures support this increase with £87.6 million spent on ‘over the counter’ hay fever remedies in 2006, a rise of 17% compared to the previous year.

While some hay fever symptoms can be annoying including runny noses, blotchy skin and streaming eyes, for some the effects of the condition can be more serious. One person who knows is Melinda Messenger whose son was rushed to hospital following an extreme reaction to hay fever.

Watch Melinda as she and Alistair Murray from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society offer advice ahead of the pollen season.

For more information visit www.rpsgb.org

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