HAYFEVER sufferers in East Lancashire are being warned to expect high pollen levels this Easter bank holiday weekend as sunny weather is expected in the area.

According to the Kleenex Pollen Forecast, Good Friday and Easter Saturday are set to bring high pollen levels to Blackburn.

Sunny weather due over the weekend is causing tree pollen to spike, as peak pollen season approaches and brings with it runny noses, sore eyes and sneezing fits for the many hayfever sufferers across East Lancs.

The severity of pollen levels is measured by Pollen Grains Per Cubic Metre (PPM). A reading of 200-703 for tree pollen is considered high, and anything above 704 very high.

In Blackburn, on Good Friday the level is 239 PPM, Saturday it is 187 PPM, 185 PPM on Easter Sunday, before dropping to a low level of 90 PPM on Monday.

In Accrington, levels remain moderate all weekend, ranging from 109 to 145 PPM before dropping to 34 PPM on Monday.

For Burnley, levels are moderate on Friday and Saturday, 186 and 192 PPM respectively, before shooting up to 294 PPM on Easter Sunday and dropping to 102 PPM on Monday.

The highest levels in the country will be seen in Manchester and Leicester on Good Friday, with levels in excess of 700 PPM, are highest in Birmingham on Saturday (618 PPM), and top in London on Easter Sunday at 672 PPM.

The Kleenex Pollen Forecast is one of the most regionally accurate pollen tracking tools available. It enables those with allergies to plan days out using pollen data specific to their local town or city.

Its data is sourced from Ambee, which collates information from pollen traps across the country, about local weather on the day and on different types of trees, weeds and grass in a specific area.

Top tips for managing hayfever over Easter weekend

  • Wardrobe choices – hats and sunglasses can stop pollen reaching your eyes and face
  • Try allergy balm – putting it around the nostrils and sunglasses rims can help combat pollen
  • Check pollen levels – monitoring the forecast can help with avoiding high ‘pollen bomb’ days
  • Shower when returning home – this helps wash pollen off your skin and hair
  • Always have tissues – when the nose is running and sneezes are coming, tissues are a must have item at all times.

Jin Zhang, Global Medical Director at Kleenex UK, said: “We understand how unpleasant hay fever can be and how severe symptoms can prevent pollen sufferers from enjoying the warmer weather the season brings.

“We know that many families travel over the Easter weekend to spend time with loved ones.

“New surroundings can act as a trigger to allergy symptoms due to potential exposure to different pollens.

“We recommend for anyone who experiences pollen allergies, no matter how mild, to check levels daily to ensure they plan ahead and be well prepared to tackle the pollen season no matter where they are.”