GPs in England and Wales are handling more than double the amount of hay fever cases compared to this time last year, according to the RCGP.
The latest statistics from college’s Research and Surveillance Centre, which monitors trends in diseases through consultations, recorded more than 5,000 additional cases of patients seeing their GP with allergic rhinitis or hay fever symptoms in the second week of June than at the same time last year.
The chair of the RCGP, Maureen Baker said: ‘Whilst in some cases it may be necessary to see a doctor, especially if the symptoms persist, there are many anti-histamine medications that can be bought over the counter at your pharmacist that should provide effective relief.’
This month there have already been 11,873 reported cases of hay fever, compared to just 5,560 cases last June.
Approximately 20% of the population is estimated to suffer from hay fever and there is currently no cure for the disorder.
