Sunshine is on the way this weekend for Northern Ireland

Hay fever sufferers look away 🤧

Author: Emma DicksonPublished 5th Jul 2022

The best way to describe the weather right now, besides rubbish, is 'close.' Typically we'd have had at least two heatwaves before this time of year - where has the sunshine gone?

There is a lot of speculation around a spell of hot weather that's expected towards the end of this week.

It looks like clearer skies are on the way on Saturday, with the Met Office reporting that the mercury could climb to +20°C over the weekend.

Is it too soon to get the BBQ's out? 🙏 Take a closer look at NI's weekly forecast 👇

Northern Ireland's five-day forecast:

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a little light rain at times, mainly in north and west. Drier with brighter interludes developing along the Down coast. Fresh westerly winds, strong on North Coast. Maximum temperature 17 °C

Outlook for Thursday to Saturday: A rather cloudy few days with a little rain at times, much of it towards North Coast. Becoming brighter on Saturday with some sunshine

Anyone with hay fever will know that pollen levels are extremely high in certain parts of Northern Ireland right now.

This time of year is peak for grass pollen, therefore pollen levels are expected to be high for many across the UK this week.

Hay fever symptoms include itchy eyes, headaches, tiredness, loss of smell and pain around the temples and forehead 24 hours a day.

We’ve compiled a list of helpful hacks that should ease your pain this summer.

Check it out 👇

Use Vaseline

Before heading outdoors, spread a bit of Vaseline on the inside of the bottom of your nose, this should act as a trap for at least some pollen particles.

Play with spice

To help ease congestion, simply adding spices like ginger, chilli and garlic to your meals can really help.

Eat some honey

So many of our listeners have recommended a spoonful of honey each morning. Science suggests that bee pollen in the honey desensitises the body to other allergens.

Wash your hair before bed

This will strip your skin and hair of any pollen that's settled on them throughout the day, it also means it doesn't end up on your pillow during the night.

Avoid alcohol 💔

Research suggests that beer and alcohol can worsen symptoms. Switching to Green teas might help, and don't forget you can re-use teabags as a cold compress for swollen eyes.

Keep eye drops and sprays in the fridge

Storing drops in the fridge means they're cooling when applied. After you've spent the day scratching and itching at your eyes, there's nothing more refreshing than a soothing drop/spray.