A "POLLEN bomb" is set to hit Glasgow this week. 

Hay fever sufferers are being warned that data from the Kleenex Pollen Forecast suggests they will need to be aware of high pollen levels tomorrow, 

Tree pollen readings are forecasted to be particularly high in Glasgow, potentially leading to a wave of runny noses, sore eyes and sneezing fits.

The news comes as a new study by Allergy UK in partnership with Kleenex, has revealed that nearly half (49 per cent) of the UK population now suffer from hay fever, almost double the number previously thought.  

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A poll of more than 7000 respondents suggests there has been a significant increase in the number of those with the allergy, as more than a third said they had developed symptoms for the first time in the last five years.

The research has been released to mark the start of Allergy UK’s 2021 Allergy Awareness Week.

With the pollen season running from March-September in the UK, the lifting of lockdown restrictions comes at a potentially difficult time for the increasing number of hay fever sufferers.

More than half are anxious that others may mistake their hay fever symptoms for signs of Covid-19. 

Amena Warner, head of clinical services at Allergy UK, said: "There is evidence that suggests that climate change, with increasing temperatures may contribute to extending the grass pollen season in the UK. 

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"Grass pollen is the cause of the majority of pollen driven hay fever symptoms. Furthermore, with warmer weather, pollen counts can be high, and breeze can spread pollen over a large area as it is carried in the wind.

“Human activities have increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.  Studies are showing that plants produce more pollen as a response to high atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide, and so people may also find that their hay fever is worse when pollution levels are high, especially in warm weather. 

“These are the factors that lead us to expect rising pollen levels in the UK in the coming years, triggering the unpleasant symptoms of hay fever over longer periods”.

For the pollen forecast in your city, click here.