One in three Scots is hit by the sniffles as hay fever rates soar

Published on Sunday 24 May 2009 22:27

SCOTLAND'S wide-open spaces and large areas of untended land could be making its people miserable, with new research revealing that one-third of people in Scotland claim to suffer from hay fever.

Online pharmacist TheChemist.co.uk has created a map of hay fever hotspots across the UK. It shows a dramatic rise in incidence of the condition in Scotland compared to those living south of the Border, with 33 per cent of Scots saying they suffer from the allergy.

The north-east of England, near Whitley Bay, has the lowest levels of hay fever, with just 23 per cent of people complaining about the condition.

Across the UK, 15 million people suffer from the ailment.

Experts believe the fact that Scotland has areas of long grass or flowers, which create pollens that cause hay fever, could explain why Scots get the condition.

John Collard, clinical director of Allergy UK, which provides advice to hay fever sufferers, said: "Where you have large areas of countryside, and in particular untended land where grass and plants are able to grow and pollinate, there will be a higher incidence of hay fever.

"People in the east are also more likely to suffer from hay fever, as the wind moving from west to east picks up pollen along the way. There is probably a higher density of Scots living in the east so this could explain it."

The research also confirmed that hay fever is by far the most common allergy in Britain, with 27 per cent of people claiming to be a sufferer. Almost a third of all women suffer compared to just over a fifth of men.

British adults claim to spend 264 million a year on remedies and cures.

It is thought that Scottish people could also be genetically more likely to suffer from certain allergies, including hay fever.

Dr George Crooks, medical director and NHS 24, said: "Over the coming weeks, as grass pollen takes over, more people may experience hay fever symptoms.

"The causes of hay fever are multi-factorial. Genetics may play a small part, as there seems to be an increase in hay fever and asthma conditions further north of the country, evident in Scotland and Europe."

People living in the south-west of England are the second most likely to suffer from hay fever after Scots.

Mike Rudin, managing director of TheChemist.co.uk, said: "Hay fever sufferers can often be left feeling pretty miserable as they watch everyone else enjoying the sunny weather. Non-sufferers often underestimate just how lousy hay fever can make you feel."