Why hay fever and asthma feel worse in 2025 as climate change stirs up pollen storms in the UK

Hay fever season is arriving earlier, lasting longer and hitting harder

Pollen levels are set to remain "very high" in much of England on Friday, according to the Met Office (Met Office)

In 2025, hay fever sufferers across the UK, especially in London and the South East, are already reporting very high pollen levels far earlier than expected. Warm and dry conditions have triggered what many are calling a pollen bomb, releasing massive amounts of tree pollen, particularly from birch and hornbeam trees, into the air.

But pollen is no longer the only problem.

A combination of climate change, air pollution and even thunderstorms is making hay fever and asthma symptoms more intense and more dangerous than ever before.

The new mix of allergy triggers

Climate change is lengthening the allergy season

Rising temperatures and shifting seasonal cycles are causing plants to pollinate earlier and for longer. Warmer weather also means more pollen is produced overall.

❓Did you know - Hay fever seasons in the UK are now starting earlier and lasting weeks longer than they did just 20 years ago.

Warning for asthma patients in the UK

Thunderstorms can make pollen more dangerous

During a thunderstorm, pollen grains can be broken into tiny fragments that travel deeper into the lungs. This can suddenly trigger asthma attacks in people who may not even realise they are at risk, a phenomenon known as thunderstorm asthma.

🚨 Warning for asthma patients - If high pollen levels are combined with stormy weather, it is best to avoid being outside just before and during the storm, especially in cities.

Pollution makes pollen particles more irritating

Air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and ozone do not just irritate the airways. They also make pollen more potent by changing its structure. This allows it to travel deeper into your respiratory system and cause more severe reactions.

Urban areas with heavy traffic and poor air quality are especially challenging for people with allergies or asthma.

Allergy-related hospital admissions are rising in the UK

Recent health data shows that hospital admissions related to allergic reactions and asthma have more than doubled over the past two decades in the UK. Many of these episodes are made worse by environmental triggers including air pollution, extreme weather and high pollen counts.

What you can do to protect yourself if you suffer from hay fever and/or asthma

1. Check the pollen forecast daily - Use trusted sources or apps to stay updated on pollen levels where you live.

2. Wear sunglasses and a mask outdoors -These can help reduce your exposure to airborne pollen.

3. Shower and change clothes after being outside - Pollen sticks to skin, hair and clothing. Rinse off and change once you get home.

4. Speak to your GP about immunotherapy - If antihistamines and nasal sprays are no longer working, allergy desensitisation may offer long-term relief. Learn more about our new treatment here

5. Manage your asthma proactively - Keep your reliever inhaler with you and review your asthma action plan ahead of allergy season.
   

Final thought

Climate change is no longer a distant issue. It is already having real effects on our health. If you suffer from hay fever, asthma or both, understanding these environmental changes is essential for staying well.

Stay informed, take action and speak to a healthcare professional if your symptoms are worsening or affecting your quality of life.

Sources where you can read more about climate change and the pollen rise: UK Health Security Agency - Is hay fever season starting earlier in the UK, with the pollen count rising? Euronews - Pumped up pollen: How climate change could be making your seasonal allergies worse

The Times - Why nature isn’t to blame for your hay fever hell The Guardian - ‘It looks like I’ve gone 10 rounds with a boxer’: when hay fever becomes debilitating – and potentially deadly The Guardian - How heat, thunder, smog and new species are making hay fever worse Geographical - Geo explainer: How does climate change make hayfever and asthma worse? Sky News - Red warnings issued over hay fever - why is it worse this year?

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