Households in England urged to 'close windows and doors' until Friday

Households in England urged to 'close windows and doors' until Friday The NHS has issued an alert as the Met Office forecast for the week is expected to cause flare-ups for many across the UK Millions of people across the UK have been urged to keep their windows and doors shut following a recent NHS update. The health service has issued vital advice on the back of the latest Met Office forecast, which is set to cause misery for those who suffer from a widespread health condition. According to the most recent Met Office pollen forecast, levels will vary between 'Medium', 'High' and 'Very High' across most of England from Monday, June 15, to Friday, June 19. This means hay fever sufferers face a heightened risk of experiencing symptoms. Parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales will also be affected by elevated pollen levels, reports the Express. In an alert posted by the NHS on Instagram, the health service stated: "There are high levels of pollen across some parts of the country over the coming days. Hay fever is a common allergy that causes sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes. You cannot cure it, but there are things you can do to help your symptoms." The post also outlined several crucial tips for hay fever sufferers, including a list of 'dos' and 'don'ts'. Among its recommendations, the NHS advises people to "keep windows and doors shut as much as possible". On its website, the NHS further explains: "There's currently no cure for hay fever, and you cannot prevent it." It adds: "But you can do things to ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high." Keeping doors and windows firmly closed during periods of high pollen count can help alleviate hay fever symptoms by limiting the amount of pollen that enters your home, settles on your furniture, and circulates throughout your living space. Other steps the NHS advises people to take include the following: - put petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) around your nostrils to trap pollen - wear wraparound sunglasses, a mask or a wide-brimmed hat to stop pollen getting into your nose and eyes - shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off - keep windows and doors shut as much as possible - vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth - try to use a pollen filter in the air vents of your car, if you have one, and a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner At present, there is no cure for hay fever, nor can it be prevented. Nevertheless, there are measures you can take to ease your symptoms when pollen levels are high. The pollen in the air changes with the seasons. There are around 30 types of pollen that can cause hay fever, and you can be allergic to more than one. Grass pollen is the most common, especially in late spring and early summer. Tree pollen is released in spring and affects about 25% of people. Weed pollen can be present from early spring all the way to late autumn. What can help reduce hay fever symptoms? You cannot stop hay fever from occurring. But you can do certain things to help you feel more comfortable during periods of elevated pollen levels. The NHS advises against the following: - do not cut grass or walk on grass - do not spend too much time outside - do not keep fresh flowers in the house - do not smoke or be around smoke – it makes your symptoms worse - do not dry clothes outside – they can catch pollen - do not let pets into the house if possible – they can carry pollen indoors What are the symptoms of hay fever? - sneezing and coughing - a runny or blocked nose - itchy, red or watery eyes - itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears - loss of smell - pain around the sides of your head and your forehead - headache - feeling tired The NHS says: "Symptoms are usually worse between late March and September, especially when it's warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest. Hay fever can last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after one to two weeks."