Pollen allergy: Expert advice on the pollen calendar
Pollen grains contain the male reproductive cells of plants. The grains are miniscule (some are as small as 0.006mm in diameter) and for most of the year, the air is filled them. There are certain times of year when the pollen count (number of pollen grains per cubic metre of air) rises significantly. Broadly from March to July. Within that period, there are peaks for individual species.
Knowing the pollen calendar is crucial if you want to keep your hay fever symptoms under control. For example some treatments only work effectively if you start taking them before your season starts.
For more information on hay fever watch these New You videos:
Commuters blighted by hay fever
You can be tested to find out exactly which pollen you are allergic to. By far the most common allergy is grass pollen but trees also affect large numbers of people and produce vast quantities of pollen. Derek Patch of the Tree Advice Trust says: “The most prolific producers of pollen are those that rely on the wind to transmit the pollen. These are birch, alder, hazel, willow and the conifers which are totally wind pollinated.”
It’s the quiet ones
Broadly speaking it’s not the bright and bold plants and flowers that are the cause of pollen allergies. Roses, daffodils and other plants with big flowers are insect pollinated. They produce heavy, sticky pollen which clings to insects that will carry it to other plants. Normally this pollen doesn’t get carried by the wind and so won’t cause hay fever.
Because of differences in climate across the country, it’s impossible to be accurate about exactly when certain plants pollinate. So, we’ve grouped 16 of the worst offenders into broad seasons.
Winter – Spring
(Jan, Feb, March, April)
Hazel
Yew
Alder
Spring
(March, April, May)
Elm
Willow
Poplar
Birch
Ash
Plane
Oak
Summer
(May, June, July, August)
Oil Seed Rape
Pine
Grass
Lime
Nettle
Dock
