Care Allergy Defence - Hayfever and Sport Report

Hayfever 

Report commissioned by Care Allergy Defence 

(a natural nasal powder, clinically proven to provide rapid 

protection from hayfever & allergies) and developed by Professor 

Jean Emberlin, Professor in Aerobiology, Director of Pollen UK 

and European Pollen Information, National Pollen and 

Aerobiology Research Unit, University of Worcester

Introduction to the report 

Page 3 

Hayfever & pollen seasons 

Page 4 

UK Pollen Calendar 

Page 6 

Effects of hayfever on sports performance 

and elite sports 

Page 7 

Hayfever Sufferers - Elite sports people 

Page 12 

Overcoming problems of hayfever 

Page 16 

Hayfever & Sport 

Contents 

The Solution: Care Allergy Defence - A new natural 

approach to hayfever/allergy management 

Page 18 

UK Sports Calendar & hayfever incidence in spectators 

Page 19 

National Sport & Hayfever Maps 

Page 22 

References 

Page 37


Introduction 

Hayfever can affect performance in nearly all types of 

sport, especially those taking place outdoors between 

the peak hayfever season (late May to early August). 

Previously, this aspect about the impact of hayfever 

on sports performance has been neglected. 

This report examines, for the first time, the ways in which 

hayfever can be detrimental to performance in sports and 

also the ways in which sporting activities can make hayfever 

worse. It considers the timing and locations of major sporting 

events in the UK in relation to the allergen load of pollen and spores and gives 

examples of elite sports people who suffer from hayfever. The report also gives tips for 

sports people with hayfever including the best times of day for training. 

This report is important for all sports people including the numerous potential Olympic 

athletes who are already in training for 2012. It shows that elite sports performance can 

be seriously affected by hayfever. Who wins an event and who loses could depend on 

the pollen count on the day. Itʼs also important for spectators suffering from hayfever. 

Professor Jean Emberlin 

2nd June 2010 

3


Hayfever & 

Pollen Seasons 

Background to hayfever, symptoms and effects 

Hayfever, otherwise known as seasonal allergic 

rhinitis or intermittent rhinitis, is an allergic reaction to 

pollen and spores. The symptoms can include frequent 

sneezing, runny nose and eyes, itching nose, eyes and 

palate, and nasal congestion. Hayfever exerts great socio 

economic costs both to the individual and to healthcare 

provision. It also leads to a decrease in the quality of life for 

sufferers, loss in productivity and decreased educational 

performance. Recent research has indicated that hayfever costs the UK economy about 

£7 billion p.a. (Kleenex Hayfever Health report 2009) but it is impossible to quantify the 

costs of the impacts on the individual. 

The UK has one of the highest prevalence rates for hayfever in the world, with about 

25% of the population having hayfever, rising to 38% in teenagers, the prime age group 

(Björkstén et al. 2008). The exact reasons for this high rate are unknown but research 

indicates that important factors include the use of antibiotics in childhood, a very clean 

lifestyle (hygiene hypothesis), air pollution and diet. 

Many types of pollen and spores can trigger hayfever depending on what a person is 

allergic to. Birch pollen is the most important allergenic tree pollen in the UK, and affects 

about 25% of hayfever sufferers. The season typically lasts for about four weeks in any 

one area and occurs between mid to late March and the middle of May depending on 

location and weather. The season usually starts very suddenly with counts soaring from 

nothing to very high in a few days in severe years. So people who are allergic to birch 

pollen can have a sudden attack of hayfever with little or no warning. Birch pollen cross 

reacts with several other pollen types from closely related trees, including alder, hazel 

and hornbeam. Alder and hazel flower earlier in the year, often in January, and can 

prime people causing more severe reactions to birch later in the year. 

4

Birch trees tend to have alternating high and low 

pollen production years so some people may not 

have symptoms every year. Other allergenic trees 

such as oak (affects about 20% of hayfever sufferers, 

flowers in May) also have cycles of high and low pollen 

production. For example, oak has a high year about 

every 5 years. People who are allergic to tree pollen 

typically do not get severe symptoms every year. As their 

symptoms are not a regular seasonal occurrence they may not 

realise that they have hayfever. For this reason they may think they 

have a cold and treat their symptoms inappropriately, so it is important for people to be 

aware of their allergy triggers. 

Grass pollen is the most important outdoor aeroallergen in the UK as approximately 

95% of hayfever sufferers are allergic to it. The main season typically runs from late 

May to early August although very small amounts of grass pollen can be in the air all 

year round depending on the weather. The peak counts are usually in the first 3 weeks 

of June in the south and midlands, with a smaller secondary peak occurring in early 

July. The peaks are often a week or two later in the north. 

Weed pollen such as nettles, dock and mugwort affect 

about 20% of hayfever sufferers. These pollen types are 

important in late summer through to early autumn. 

Fungal spores can trigger hayfever in susceptible people 

through the summer and autumn months, but are 

especially abundant in September and October. About 

20% of hayfever sufferers react to fungal spores. 

A person could be allergic to one or many types of pollen 

or spores. For the unfortunate people who are allergic to a 

wide range of them, the hayfever season could last for many 

months (Fig. 1 Pollen calendar for the UK). 


Hayfever & 

Pollen Seasons 

(Continued) 

5

Taxa Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep 

Hazel (Corylus) 

Yew (Taxus) 

Alder (Alnus) 

Elm (Ulmus) 

Willow (Salix) 

Poplar (Populus) 

Birch (Betula) 

Ash (Fraxinus) 

Plane (Platanus) 

Oak (Quercus) 

Oil Seed Rape (B. napus) 

Pine (Pinus) 

Grass (Gramineae) 

Plantain (Plantago) 

Lime (Tilia) 

Nettle (Urtica) 

Dock (Rumex) 

Mugwort (Artemisia)r 


UK Pollen Calendar 

(Fig.1) 

The main periods of pollen release peak periods 

The calendar shows the general situation in the uk. The exact timing and severity of pollen sessions will differ from year to year 

depending on the weather, and also regionally depending on geographical location. 

6


Effects of Hayfever 

on sports performance & 

elite sports 

The symptoms of hayfever can impact directly on 

performance in nearly all sporting activities and the 

exercise required in most sports can make hayfever 

symptoms worse. This can occur over the training 

period as well as the event itself, resulting in tiredness 

and underperformance. 

Hayfever affects sports performance indoors as well as 

outdoors. Many people have lag effects or late stage hayfever 

reactions which can linger for hours after exposure to pollen. Also 

pollen will travel indoors through open doors and windows, on clothes and hair etc. 

Studies of hayfever in elite sports people have found that many do not realise what is 

wrong with them and even if they do most do not treat it appropriately. For example in a 

study of Olympic athletes in Australia Katelaris (2006) said: “What we didnʼt expect were 

two things: firstly, that these athletes had very little knowledge of what was wrong with 

them. They put up with symptoms year after year and just thought that they had 

recurrent colds. The second thing we found was that less than 10% of them used 

anything like a proper anti-allergic medication”. 

Hay fever will affect sports performance in many ways 

including: 

Vision 

● This will be impaired if eyes are Itchy and runny. 

(e.g. loss of range co-ordination in golf, football, 

shooting, archery; loss of speed assessment e.g. 

of ball in cricket). 

● Conjunctivitis can develop if a person is touching their eyes 

frequently (such as when they have itchy eyes). This can take 

days to clear and can detract notably from performance. 

7




elite sports 

(Continued) 

● When a person sneezes it is impossible to keep 

the eyes open. They close by a reflex action for about 

1 second (very detrimental in most sports). 

● The increased tear production in hayfever (runny 

eyes) tends to make eyes more sensitive to light so it 

can be difficult to keep the eyes open and to see 

normally in strong sunlight. 

Concentration 

● Research has shown marked decreases in concentration in hayfever sufferers 

compared to their performance outside of the pollen seasons. This could be partly 

due to tiredness as many hayfever sufferers find that their symptoms interfere 

with sleep. 

● Blowing and wiping the nose and eyes takes time and breaks concentration. 

● Frequent sneezing, (including time anticipating sneeze) interferes with 

synchronisation and timing. 

Breathing 

● Cardiovascular performance will not be optimal if 

breathing is impaired by a runny or blocked nose. 

Hayfever typically involves some inflammation in the 

nose and the capacity to breathe through the nose is 

reduced. In pollen challenge studies for clinical trials 

subjectsʼ nasal flow has been reduced by up to 80% 

(Emberlin and Lewis 2006). 

● In many sporting events, (e.g. swimming, rowing, and 

even running), athletes must, or choose to, link the duration 

of each breath to the cadence of their limb motions, this 

fundamental reaction will be limited if the nose is runny, blocked or congested 

because of hayfever. 

8

Balance and Co-ordination 

● These will be disrupted by sneezing and the 

discomfort of runny nose, runny eyes etc (for example 

in diving and gymnastics). 

In many cases medications or treatments can help a lot 

in controlling symptoms. However some hay fever 

medications are not allowed under drug regulations and can 

have side effects or interactions with other medications. 

Apart from immunotherapy, no medication or treatment type will eliminate symptoms 

completely on high pollen count days, resulting in reduced performance. However, a 

new barrier treatment - Care Allergy Defence can help by blocking pollen and other 

airborne allergens from entering the body. Care Allergy Defence is ideal for sport 

athletes as the unique nasal powder forms an invisible but effective barrier within the 

nose and is drug free as it doesnʼt contain antihistamines or steroids. 

How sport can make hayfever worse 




elite sports 

(Continued) 

1. Stress 

Research has shown that stress makes hay fever 

symptoms worse (Buske-Kirschbaum et al. 2008, 

Kiecolt-Glaser et al. 2009). This operates via the 

stress hormone cortisol which affects the immune 

system. The stress of training and competing in elite 

sport is likely to exacerbate hayfever symptoms. 

9




elite sports 

(Continued) 

2. Increased exposure and increased inhalation of 

pollen and spores 

The increased breathing rate required in many sports 

means that notably more pollen and spores will be inhaled 

leading to an increase in allergen levels entering the nose 

compared to when at rest. This will typically result in 

symptoms being triggered (whereas at rest allergen levels 

would be below thresholds) or, more severe symptoms occurring. 

If the sporting activity involves speed e.g. cycling, more pollen and 

spores will impact on the eyes. 

3. Air pollution - Increased exposure and inhalation 

Increased breathing rates when exercising will increase exposure to air pollution. Certain 

types of air pollution, such as ozone, act as irritants to the respiratory tract causing stinging, 

itching and coughing and make the symptoms of hay fever seem worse. Other pollutants 

such as NOx affect the cilia in the respiratory tract and slow mucocilary clearance so that 

allergens stay in the nose longer. Pollution from diesel exhaust can also affect the 

permeability of membranes and enhance the allergic reaction (Hajat 

et al. 2001, Heinrich et al. 1998, Lindgren et al. 2009, 

Morgenstern et al. 2008). 

4. Restrictions on medication 

Many elite sport people are unable to take certain 

types of hayfever medication as ingredients could give 

a positive result in drugs tests. 

An example of this is the Olympic athlete, 

Andrew Steele 

“Olympian zaps his hayfever. Published: 19 Jun 2008 ...” 

Andrew Steele could fail a drug test if he uses the hayfever 

medicines most of us take for granted”. ... 

www.thesun.co.uk/.../ 

10




elite sports 

(Continued) 

If hayfever symptoms are left untreated they will 

probably get worse as more histamine is released 

and more inflammation takes place. Unless the 

symptoms are controlled decreasing amounts of 

allergen will be needed to trigger the reactions. In 

some cases hayfever may develop into asthma. 

5. Swimmers 

Swimmers have a particular problem in that the chlorine in 

pools acts as an irritant to the respiratory tract and eyes. Evidence 

indicates that it can make people more susceptible to allergies and also make the 

symptoms of hayfever worse (Clearie et al. 2010). 

Examples of Elite sports people with hayfever 

As 25% of the UKʼs population have hayfever, statistically 1 in 4 sports people would 

have this allergy. In fact as the majority of sports people are in the 

younger age groups in which prevalence rates are higher, even 

more than 25% of sport people are likely to have hayfever. 

This is supported by studies of allergies in elite athletes 

and Olympic sports people which indicate that the 

prevalence of hayfever in these groups is very similar to 

that in the general population (Katelaris 2006, 

Helbling 1990). 

11


Hayfever Sufferers 

Elite sports people 

Athletics, Sprinting 

Marlon Devonish 

Marlon, 33, is one of Britain's most successful 

sportsmen. He was part of Britainʼs Olympic gold 

medal-winning relay team at Athens in 2004 and has 

received an MBE for his contribution to British sport. He 

has had severe hayfever since childhood. 

“Itʼs something I've had to deal with since childhood,” says 

Marlon. “It runs in the family. 

I get the usual symptoms of itchy eyes, nose and throat, but I also get exerciseinduced 

asthma. Because I'm so allergic to the pollen in the air, it causes my 

chest to tighten when I run. So if I don’t manage my hayfever carefully, it can 

seriously affect my performance on the track. 

I have to get clearance every year from the IAAF (International Association of Athletics 

Federations) so that while I'm competing I can use an inhaler to control my asthma. My 

hayfever is at its worst at the height of summer when there is more pollen in the air and 

this is when I have to be most vigilant with my medication. 

I donʼt have to be so careful in the winter months when I'm not competing, but I still have 

to monitor the condition closely.” 

12

Athletics 

Andrew Steele 

Wikepedia.org 

British 400 metres and 4x400 m relay 

runner in athletics (track and field) 

● Event(s): 400m/4x400m 

● Personal Best: 44.94 seconds 

● 2008 World Ranking: 16th 

● 2008 European Ranking: 5th 

● British All-Time Ranking: 10th 

He has represented his country at most major 

competitions since entering the senior age group 

in 2005. He has also improved his personal best 

time and world-ranking year on year. 

Andrew suffers from hayfever, saying it can be the 

difference between winning and losing. 

He says: “Obviously it has a big impact on your breathing. 

Sometimes you also feel drowsy and fatigued. 




(Continued) 

The trouble is that a lot of the nasal sprays have steroids which can be a problem. 

If you use them, you have to carry around a special declaration at all times that itʼs for 

therapeutic use.” 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/health/1309285/Andrew-Steele-couldfail-drug-test-if-he-uses-normal-hayfever-medicines-so-he-zaps-hissymptoms.html#ixzz0oSlr2N8A 

13

Golf 

Jill McGill 

http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgibin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-28- 

2008/0004764324&EDATE= 

“As a golfer, Iʼm always surrounded by grass and when 

Iʼm travelling to different cities on tour I never know 

how my indoor and outdoor allergies will react. There have been 

many times that my symptoms have been so bad that 

I had a hard time even being on the golf course,ʼʼ says Jill McGill, LPGA golfer 

and long time nasal allergy sufferer. 

“With such a severe runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing, it was very difficult for 

me to concentrate and physically swing the club.” 

Gymnastics 

Shannon Miller 

www.shannon miller.com 

2 time Olympic gold medallist, Shannon Miller, keeps her 

Olympic passion alive in her role as health and wellness 

advocate, television host and now.....mom! Shannon 

Miller, a 7 time Olympic Medallist and 9 time World 

Medallist remains The Most Decorated American 

Gymnast, male or female, in history, having won more 

Olympic and World Championship Medals than any other 

US gymnast. 

Shannon has to manage her allergy symptoms in order 

to achieve peak performance on and off 

the floor mat. 




(Continued) 

(celebrityallergyarchive.blogspot.com) 14




(Continued) 

Rowing 

Tom James. Olympic Gold medallist Rower 

(Pers.com. plus) Biography from Wikipedia.org. 

Tom was then selected in the GB coxed four for the world 

championships in Munich, but was promoted to the bow seat of 

the eight when the original incumbent fell ill on the morning of the heats. The crew made 

the final, securing GB qualification for the Beijing Olympics, and took the bronze behind 

Canada and Germany. 

After a difficult early season, with both James and Triggs-Hodge picking up injuries, the 

four raced together for the first time in Poznan in the final World Cup event of the 

season, finishing third. The GB four then dominated their heats and semi finals at the 

Olympics Beijing. In the final, however, the Australian four led for most of the way. Only a 

dramatic push by the British boat in the closing stages made the difference; they won 

the nail-biting final to become gold medallists in a time of 6 minutes 6.57 seconds, 

beating the Australian four by 1.28 seconds. 

He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 New 

Year Honours. 

“I have suffered with allergies all my life and in the past, my asthma and allergies 

have often hindered my performance.” 

15

Tips for elite athletes to overcome the problems 

of hayfever 

● Training strategies to avoid high pollen counts. 

Weather: pollen counts will be highest on dry, warm 

days with a moderate wind. Strong winds tend to 

disperse and dilute the pollen load more. Counts will be 

lowest on cool, windy wet days. However if this weather follows 

a dry spell the allergen load in the air could still be quite high as the 

allergen on the pollen can be transferred to water droplets etc. 

Times of day: On warm dry days grass pollen counts are highest in the early morning 

and late afternoon due to the fact that this is when most grasses release their pollen. 

During the middle of the day convection currents help to disperse and dilute 

the pollen load. 

Places: It is not often possible to choose where to train. If possible train near coasts or 

on uplands as these have lower pollen counts. Avoid places with 

flowering grass such as verges. Avoid places with high air 

pollution loads. The air pollution in large cities can make the 

symptoms of hayfever worse even though the pollen 

counts may be lower than in rural areas. If pollen counts 

are high, train indoors with air conditioning if possible. 

● Know the pollen forecasts. e.g. on BBC web site. 

● Get enough sleep (at least 7 hours per night) as this 

helps the immune system. 


Overcoming problems 

of Hayfever 

● Pay attention to nutrition, especially vitamin intake. A 

number of nutrients get depleted when we are stressed, 

including zinc, magnesium and pantothenic acid. Taken at levels of 100-500mg, 

vitamin B5 has been shown to reduce allergic symptoms. 16

● Make sure your mucosal membranes are in good 

shape. This includes the lining of the mouth, nose and 

lungs, where the single most important nutrient is vitamin 

A. Some vitamin A can be found in green vegetables and 

carrot juice, but the body will only convert the bare 

minimum from beta carotene to vitamin A. In addition to 

protecting your lungs and nose, it also slightly enhances 

immune function, which is an important consideration for 

athletes because 45 minutes of intense exercise halves immune 

function for about four to five hours. 

● Wear sunglasses to help keep pollen out of the eyes. Rinse eyes after being outside. 

● Don't dry washing outside on high pollen count days as It will collect pollen from the air. 

● Change clothes and wash hair etc after being outdoors. 

● Cover bed and desks when not in use and then fold the cover back carefully when you 

want to use the area. Pollen is quite heavy and will settle on surfaces quickly. Keep 

windows and doors closed to help keep pollen out. 

● Brush or wash your cat or dog as they can carry a lot of 

pollen in their fur. 

● When driving keep the windows closed. Service your 

car air filter regularly. If possible drive a car with a good 

pollen filter. 

● For some respite, close the windows and doors of a 

room. Sit still, and in about 20 minutes most of the 

pollen in the room will have settled so you will be 

breathing pollen free air. 


Overcoming problems 

of Hayfever 

(Continued) 

● Talk to your GP or pharmacist about treatments and remedies. 

Because of problems with some medications consider using a natural barrier 

treatment like inert cellulose powder (Care Allergy Defence) as this has no known 

side effects or interactions with other medication. 

17

The perfect solution for hayfever 

Care Allergy Defence is a unique powder spray which is 

clinically proven to rapidly relieve hayfever symptoms, 

such as sneezing, runny nose and itchy/watery eyes [within 

minutes]. 

Containing Nasaleze technology, Care Allergy Defence forms an 

invisible but effective barrier in the nose to block pollen and other airborne 

allergens from getting into the body. Independent research showed that 70% of people 

testing Care Allergy Defence found it easy 

and comfortable to use. It leaves no 

powder residue and is undetectable in the 

nose – except for its effects on banishing 

hayfever! 

In clinical trials, Care Allergy Defence 

demonstrated hayfever efficacy rates as 

high as 90%. Care Allergy Defence is 

based on inert natural cellulose powder, 

which cannot be absorbed by the body. It 

contains no steroids or antihistamines, 

has no known side effects or interactions 

with other medication and can be used 

by all including sports people, children 

(from 18 months) and 

pregnant/breastfeeding women. 


The Solution- 

Care Allergy Defence 

18

Sporting Events List 

● Many major sporting events are in the peak pollen seasons. 

● Many events are in country areas where pollen counts are high. 

● When events are held in large urban areas air pollution makes symptoms worse. 

2010 UK Sports calendar & Hayfever incidence in sports spectators 

NB Attendance at sporting events in these notes is based on available information for 

previous years. The figures do not include, staff, traders, competitors etc. The estimated 

number of hayfever sufferers is based on published estimates of 25-30% prevalence in the 

population. These events are in the grass pollen season which is the main aeroallergen for 

hayfever. Approximately 95% of hayfever sufferers are allergic to grass pollen. During this 

time of year there would also be pollen from flowering trees, weeds and crops and also the 

concentrations of fungal spores could be very high. 

Grass Pollen season 

● June 4-8 - CRICKET Second Test, England v Bangladesh, Old Trafford 

● June 4th Investec Ladies Day, Epsom 

● June 5 - RACING The Derby, Epsom 

Attendance c 120,000 people 

This means that between about 30,000 and 36,000 people attending this event would 

have hayfever if the pollen counts were high on Derby day. 

www.bbc.co.uk/sport 

● June 15 Royal Ascot 


UK Sports Calendar & 

hayfever incidence in spectators 

Attendance at c 60,000-63,000 on the main days. This means that between 

15,000 and 18,900 would have hayfever each day if the pollen counts were high. 

www.telegraph.co.uk/royal ascot 

www.guardian.co.uk/sport 

19

● June 17 - CRICKET One-day international, 

Ireland v Australia, Dublin 

● June 19 - CRICKET One-day international, Scotland v England, Edinburgh 

● June 20 - MOTOR CYCLING MotoGP, Silverstone 

Estimated attendance 35,000 

This means that about 8,750 to 10,500 people attending would have hayfever if the 

pollen counts were high. 

www.silverstone.co.uk 

● June 21 Henley Royal Regatta 

This is a non ticketed event so attendance records are not kept. However it is estimated 

that c. 20,000 attend overall, peak day Saturday. This means that overall; if pollen 

counts are high about 5,000 to 6,000 people will have hayfever at this event. 

www.copas.co.uk/regatta 

● June 21-July 4 - TENNIS Wimbledon Championships, 

c. 475,000 stadium attendance over the 13 days 

In 2008 the attendance was 475, 813 

Sat June 28th 2008 it was 40,870 

July 1st 2008 it was 39,763 

Ref http://askville.amazon.com 




(Continued) 

If high grass pollen counts occurred on the two championship days (assuming 40,000 

attendance both days, total 80,000) then about 20,000 to 24,000 people would have hay 

fever at the finals events ( 10,000 to 12,000 each day). 

If pollen counts were high for the duration of Wimbledon then between about 118,750 

and 142,500 people attending would have hayfever overall at Wimbledon. 

● June 22 - CRICKET First one-day international, England v Australia, Southampton 

● June 24 - CRICKET Second one-day international, England v Australia, Cardiff 

● June 25-27 - ATHLETICS European Trials and UK Championships, Birmingham 

20

● June 27 - CRICKET Third one-day international, 

England v Australia, Old Trafford 

● June 30 - CRICKET Fourth one-day international, 

England v Australia, The Oval 

● July 3 - CRICKET Fifth one-day international, England v Australia, Lord's 

This event is often sold out at 28,000 capacity. If this size crowd attend on this day, then 

about 7,000 to 8,400 people there would have hayfever if the pollen count was high. 

www.buzzle.com 

www.guardian.co.uk/sport 2009 

● July 5 - CRICKET First Twenty20, Pakistan v Australia, Edgbaston 

● July 6 - CRICKET Second Twenty20, Pakistan v Australia, Edgbaston 

● July 8 - CRICKET First one-day international, England v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge 

● July 10 - CRICKET Second one-day international, England v Bangladesh, Bristol 

● July 11 - MOTOR RACING British Grand Prix, Donington Park 

● July 12 - CRICKET Third one-day international, England v Bangladesh, Edgbaston 

● July 13-17 - CRICKET First Test, Pakistan v Australia, Lord's 

● July 15-18 - GOLF The Open, St Andrews 

● July 21-25 - CRICKET Second Test Pakistan v Australia, , Headingley 

● July 29-Aug 2 - CRICKET First Test, England v Pakistan, Trent Bridge 

● July 31 Cowes week 




(Continued) 

21

The actual pollen 

conditions at the time will 

depend on the weather. 

KEY 

Red = High risk for 

hayfever sufferers 

Orange = medium risk 

Green = low risk for 

hayfever sufferers 

Click on the venue 

name for details 


UK Sport & Hayfever Map 

(Continued) 

Cardiff ● 

Bristol ● 

Isle of Wight 

● 

● 

● 

● 

● 

● 

● 

St Andrewʼs 

Edinburgh 

● 

● 

● 

● ● 

Southampton 

Old Trafford, 

Manchester 

Birmingham 

Henley 

Silverstone 

Northampton 

Ascot Oval and 

Epsom 

Wimbledon 

Lords 

22



(Continued) 

● 

Old Trafford, 

Manchester 

June 4-8 - CRICKET Second Test, 

England v Bangladesh, Old Trafford 

Grass pollen counts could be high but will 

not yet be at their peak by this time 

23



(Continued) 

● 

Epsom 

June 4th - Investec Ladies Day, Epsom 

June 5th - RACING The Derby, Epsom 

Between 30,000 and 36,000 spectators 

would have hayfever if the pollen count 

was high 

A lot of flowering grass in this area could 

give rise to high pollen counts for ladies 

day and the Derby 

24



(Continued) 

● 

Ascot 

June 15th - Royal Ascot 


would have hayfever each day if the 

pollen count was high 

It is peak grass pollen season here at this 

time. A lot of flowering grass in this area 

could give rise to very high pollen counts 

for Ascot 

25



(Continued) 

● 

Henley 

June 21st - Henley Royal Regatta 



was high 

Grass counts could be very high here at 

this time in the Thames valley as it will be 

during the peak of the grass pollen season 

and there are a lot of local sources 

of pollen 

26



(Continued) 

● 

Edinburgh 

June 19th - CRICKET 

One-day international, Scotland v England, 

Edinburgh 

Grass pollen counts tend to be lower in 

Scotland. The season will be starting to 

peak so counts could still be just into the 

high band 

27



(Continued) 

● 

Silverstone, 

Northampton 

June 20th - MOTOR CYCLING 

MotoGP, Silverstone 



was high 

Grass pollen counts can be very high in the 

Midlands at this time of year as there are 

large sources locally and whichever way 

the wind blows it brings pollen 

28



(Continued) 

● 

Wimbledon 

June 21st - July 4th - TENNIS 

Wimbledon Championships 

Between 118,750 and 142,500 

spectators would have hayfever if the 

pollen count was high for the duration 

of the tournament 

The main peak of the grass pollen season 

will be over in this area by this time but 

counts could still be high. Combined with 

the air pollution from London this could 

give uncomfortable conditions for 

many people 

29



(Continued) 

● 

Southampton 

June 22nd -CRICKET 

First one-day international, 

England v Australia, Southampton 

This is a good place to be. Being near the 

coast, this area is likely to have lower 

pollen counts than inland venues unless 

the wind is northerly 

30

● 



(Continued) 

Cardiff 

June 24th - CRICKET 

Second one-day international, 

England v Australia, Cardiff 

Despite its coastal location the Cardiff area 

can have very high pollen counts even in 

late June due to large areas of grassland in 

the region. If the wind is onshore counts 

will be low 

31



(Continued) 

● 

Birmingham 

June 25th-27th 

ATHLETICS 

European Trials and UK 

Championships, 

July 5th - CRICKET 

First Twenty20, 

Pakistan v Australia, Edgbaston 

July 6th - CRICKET 

Second Twenty20, Pakistan v Australia, 

Edgbaston 

Grass pollen will be over its main peak 

here for all these events but counts could 

still be high and air pollution will make 

symptoms worse. 

32



(Continued) 

● 

Oval and Lord’s, 

London 

June 30th - CRICKET Fourth one-day 

international, England v Australia, The Oval 

July 3th - CRICKET Fifth one-day 

international, England v Australia, Lord's 

If at capacity, between 7,000 and 8,400 

spectators would have hayfever if the 

pollen count was high 

Still in the main grass pollen season here 

although the peak will be over. Counts 

could be high and the air pollution in the 

London area will exacerbate 

hayfever symptoms 

33



(Continued) 

● 

Bristol 

July 10th -CRICKET 

Second one-day international, 

England v Bangladesh, Bristol 

The peak of the grass pollen will be over. 

It is likely that pollen counts will not be 

high unless the wind is from the east. 

The prevailing westerly winds off the 

Bristol Channel help to keep counts 

lower in this area. 

34



(Continued) 

● 

St Andrew’s 

July 15th-18th - GOLF 

The Open, St Andrews 

Pollen counts tend to be lower in Scotland 

and the seasons shorter. The main grass 

pollen season will be over but counts could 

still be high enough to trigger symptoms. 

35



(Continued) 

● 

lsle of Wight 

July 31st - Cowes week 

This is a good place to be. By this time the 

main grass pollen season will be over and 

the coastal location should help to keep 

counts low. 

36


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Care Allergy Defence - Hayfever and Sport Report

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