Is there any way for me to find out which type of pollen I am allergic to? For example, I am having severe hay fever symptoms today, but did not yesterday. It would help me plan the best strategies for attack! Thanks a lot

We couldn’t say for sure what it is that you are allergic to. A pollen test can be arranged but only in very severe cases.

The only thing I can say is that things like weather, pollution levels and even the amount of time you spend outdoors will influence the severity of your symptoms and, indeed, whether you experience any at all. So, these are all things to consider. A change in your symptoms may also be to do with the overall levels of pollen in the air.

Below I have listed the months in which different types of pollen pollinate. If your symptoms develop in a specific month, this should help you determine what’s at the root of the problem.

Grasses such as dogstail, fescue, foxtail, meadow, oat, rye, timothy and vernal pollinate between mid-May and July so if your symptoms emerge during this time, grass is likely the cause.

Trees such as ash, elm, sycamore and oak pollinate between March and mid-May whilst weeds like dock, mugwort and nettle pollinate from the end of June to October.