The number of people suffering from hay fever has risen significantly early this year, according to the latest figures from the Nivel research institute. Over the past week, 174 out of every 100,000 people visited a GP for hay fever symptoms. This marks a steady increase from previous weeks; following the first warm days of 2026, the figure stood at 138 per 100,000, rising from just 61 the week before.
Doctors are seeing considerably more patients with hay fever complaints than in previous years. During the same week in 2025, the rate was 137 per 100,000 people, while the year before that, the figure was nearly 100.
Hot, dry, and sunny weather typically leads to higher pollen counts, causing symptoms to develop more quickly. However, Nivel expects the number of patients to decrease slightly in the coming days due to more changeable weather conditions.
To manage symptoms, many people use over-the-counter remedies available at pharmacies and other drug stores. These common treatments include antihistamine tablets, nasal sprays, and eye drops, which help reduce sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. Pharmacists can often provide advice on which product is most suitable for specific symptoms.
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