‘Don’t wait for symptoms’ – Pharmacist's warning as pollen season intensifies
New research shows just how much hay fever is escalating in the UK.
With the Lancet Countdown in Europe 2026 report highlighting how hay fever is getting worse compared to the 1990s, allergy experts at Chemist4U have published fresh data that shows just how much hay fever is escalating in the UK.
- Over 10 million people are now impacted
- Prevalence has risen by more than 33 per cent in the last 20 years
- In the past 24 hours alone, searches for “how to know if I have hay fever” have surged by over 5000% (according to Google Trends)
- 29 per cent of UK adults say their symptoms are severe without treatment, causing regular disruption to their daily life
- Nearly one in 10 describe their symptoms as debilitating
- 43 per cent have taken time off work due to hay fever symptoms
- 16 per cent say their symptoms are starting earlier in the year
- 18% now experience symptoms throughout the entire hay fever season
Hanna Yusuf, prescribing pharmacist and allergy expert at Chemist4U, has explained why symptoms are worsening, what’s driving the rise, and how people can better manage their symptoms.
She said: “It’s not surprising that we’re seeing more people struggling with hay fever now compared to the 90s.
“Changes in our climate are playing a big role here; milder winters and longer, warmer seasons mean pollen is not only arriving early but sticking around for longer.
“We’re also seeing behaviour reflect this shift. The increase in searches shows just how many people are being caught off guard by earlier and more intense symptoms.
“What’s particularly concerning is how much this is impacting daily life. Around 29 per cent of sufferers say their symptoms are severe without treatment, and nearly one in 10 describe their symptoms as debilitating.
“It’s not just a minor inconvenience – 43 per cent of hay fever sufferers have had to take time off work because of their symptoms.
“One of the biggest issues we see is people waiting until symptoms are already bad before taking action. Hay fever is much easier to manage when you get ahead of it. Starting treatment a couple of weeks before your symptoms typically begin can make a huge difference.
“It’s also important to match the treatment to your symptoms. Antihistamines can help with sneezing, itching and a runny nose, but if congestion is your main issue, a steroid nasal spray may be more effective. Eye symptoms are another area people tend to overlook, but antihistamine eye drops can provide quick relief when used alongside tablets.
“Ultimately, taking a preventative approach and using the right combination of treatments can help people stay in control of their symptoms rather than letting hay fever control them.”