Hayfever symptoms for hayfever sufferers including sneezing, sore throats and headaches are expected to be worse than normal, according to research by Professor Jean Emberlin, former director of the National Pollen and Aerobiology Reserach Unit (NPARU) at Worcester University.

Professor Emberlin of NPARU also conducted a study on HayMax. The research, conducted at the height of the hayfever season in 2009 found that found that a nostril coated in HayMax pollen barrier balm traps ‘significantly more’ pollen than an uncoated nostril, resulting in a ‘reduction to the amount of allergen entering the nose’.

The cold weather this month has delayed the start of the grass pollen season. Over 90% of hayfever sufferers are allergic to grass pollen. Warmer weather is expected towards the end of May and into June, when hayfever sufferers are most likely to experience the unwanted symptoms of hayfever. Hayfever symptoms including sneezing, itchy face eyes and throat, watery eyes and headaches are expected to be worse than normal

Professor Emberlin said: “The cold winter and continuing cool weather in early May means it has taken a long time for the soil temperatures to rise sufficiently to allow good early growth of grasses in many places. This means that when the grass pollen season starts, it will be sudden with high pollen counts.

According to Prof Emberlin the most severe grass pollen season regions will be in central and northern England which will experience very high pollen counts on warm dry days.

The Hay Fever Health Report also said that the increasing number of people moving into cities over the next two decades would cause a rise in allergies as pollution from traffic and industry irritate’s people’s airways and exacerbates their symptoms.