HAY FEVER SUFFERERS now endure symptoms for up to two weeks longer than they would have done in the 1990s, according to a new review.

Climate change has “prolonged the pollen season”, increasing the amount of time people with hay fever are exposed to allergens, according to the Lancet Countdown in Europe 2026 report.

The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) is encouraging people who are prone to seasonal allergies to take early steps to manage their symptoms and seek advice from their local pharmacist.

“This year, people may experience symptoms of hay fever earlier and for longer, as the pollen season is set to last longer,” it said.

Hay fever occurs when a person is allergic to pollen from trees, grass and weeds.

Symptoms are usually worse when the weather is warm, humid and windy – when the pollen count is at its highest – which is usually between late March and September.

Pharmacists have given tips to help people reduce their exposure to pollen and the impacts of hay fever:

1. Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible, especially at night.
2. Apply Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen and prevent inhalation.
3. Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen from entering the eyes.
4. Avoid mowing grass and working in the garden.
5. Wash your hands, face and hair upon returning indoors and change clothes to remove pollen.
6. Monitor the pollen forecast and stay indoors during high pollen periods, typically in the morning and evening.
7. Use a pollen filter in your car and a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner.

Longer season

The new report, published in The Lancet Public Health, says climate change is shifting the flowering season of plants that release allergenic pollen.

They examined changes in the timing and intensity of birch, alder and olive pollen season.

Researchers found an earlier season start of one to two weeks was detected for all allergenic trees between 2015 and 2024, compared with 1991 to 2000.

“Climate change has prolonged the pollen season by one to two weeks, increasing the duration of exposure for people with allergic rhinitis,” the authors said.