Hay fever relief in short supply
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.CHEMISTS are running out of hay fever remedies because of record pollens levels.
Sufferers have been warned to expect another month of sneezing and sore eyes, as chemists' stocks run dry thanks to the lateness of the hay fever season and the hot weather. Dr Sanjay Kinra, a public health specialist with South and West Devon Health Authority, said: "The obvious rise in cases could be attributed to an upward trend in hay fever, although it could be put down to people's greater awareness of new hay fever remedies."
Around nine million people in Britain suffer from hay fever. and in the past ten days, pollen levels up to six times the annual average have been recorded by scientists at the National Pollen Research Unit at the University of Worcester. Grass pollen are the main allergens, reaching peak airborne levels during May, June and July.
Jean Emberlin, the director of the National Pollen Research Unit, said: "Hay fever sufferers in the south should brace themselves for another fortnight of sneezing before the pollen season ends."
Sian Retallick, of the Hyde Pharmacy in Plymouth, said: "We get a boom every year but I just think it has come later and we have run out of stocks."
Geoff Key, a pharmacist at Torpoint in the West Country, said this year's pollen season had arrived all at once rather than steadily building up during the spring, which may have surprised some chemists.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments