The days are getting longer and the sun is finally starting to rear its head - and that can mean only one thing. Yes, summer is on its way. That's good news, right?
No. Experts have now warned that a 'deadly pollen bomb' is heading straight for the UK this week.
This is because hayfever season has come three weeks early this year, which means birch tree pollen is already being released across the country - potentially affecting 3.3 million people who suffer from asthma.
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And with temperatures set to reach a positively tropical 21C this coming weekend, sufferers are being told to take extra care while out enjoying the sun.
Speaking to the Sun, Sonia Munde from Asthma UK said: "A deadly pollen bomb is due to hit this week, putting people with asthma at risk of a potentially life-threatening asthma attack.
"Around 3.3m people with asthma are affected pollen, which can cause symptoms such as wheezing, a tight chest or coughing.
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"Trees have been releasing their pollen for several weeks, but the warm spring weather is going to make these pollen levels spike.
"If you're already getting symptoms, it's not too late to help yourself stay well.
"Take your prescribed preventer medicine to soothe your irritated airways so you're less likely to react to the pollen trigger.
"Take hay fever medicines such as antihistamines as they stop the allergic reaction that triggers asthma symptoms and keep itchy eyes and runny noses at bay.
"Everyone with asthma should keep their blue reliever inhaler with them at all times in case of an emergency."
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Dr Jean Emberlin, an expert on allergies, said warmer weather offers the perfect conditions for hayfever to develop.
She told the publication: "When you get warmth like that in winter, it gives the trees a real push to open up and start releasing pollen.
"We had some bad weather at the beginning of March which temporarily put a halt to it or we could have seen a very, very early birch pollen season."
Dr Emberlin then warned that if we get a period of dry and windy weather, that could be the 'perfect storm' for pollen to be released. And look out of the bloody window - the sun is shining and it's a little breezy. Fan-fucking-tastic.
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A Met Office spokesman agreed with Dr Emberlin, saying: "The record-breaking warm spell at the end of February has brought about an earlier-than-usual start to the hay fever season with several tree species producing pollen."
Proof, if it were needed, that you should be careful what you wish for.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: UK News, Interesting, Health