CHEMIST4U REVEALS THE UK’S HAY FEVER CAPITALS

• Wales dominates the top three areas where people are prescribed the most antihistamines
• Mancunians tweet most about their allergies – 177% more than the UK average 
• Wales is the only region in the UK to see two spikes in sales of hay fever products

May 2022: Chemist4U has analysed three years of NHS antihistamine prescription data, sales data of hay fever products, as well as geo-located tweets, to discover where the UK’s hay fever capital might be. View the full story here. 

20% of the UK population suffers from hay fever. Research shows that pollen seasons are getting longer and more pollen-filled due to climate change, leading to allergy-sufferers dreading the beginning of hay fever season each year. 

But, where and who in the UK suffers the most from hay fever? 

Where are people prescribed the most antihistamines in the UK?

Chemist4U found that, globally, 65% of hay fever remedies used are antihistamines. Taking an antihistamine is usually an allergy sufferer’s first-line approach, with the NHS website recommending taking antihistamines for at least three months before allergy season even begins.

Taking the three year average of antihistamine prescriptions in each local authority, Chemist4U calculated how many prescriptions are given per 100 people. Bridgen, Wales, was prescribed the most amount of antihistamines, with 96% of people being prescribed. 

In fact, local authorities in Wales took the top three spots. Torfaen ranked second with just over half (54%) prescribed antihistamines, while Merthyr Tydfil came in joint third with East Lindsey (England) where half (50.5%) received prescriptions. 

Where in each country in the UK has seen the highest number of antihistamine prescriptions? 

Country	Location	3yr avg. antihistamine prescriptions per 100 people
Wales	Bridgend	95.8
England	East Lindsey	50.5
Northern Ireland	Belfast	45.4
Scotland	Shetland Islands	38.1

Which month does each UK region order the most hay fever products?

To better understand hay fever seasonality and when Brits are struggling with their symptoms, Chemist4U looked at sales data of their hay fever products (including hay fever tablets, nasal sprays and eye drops) to see the biggest peaks in purchases.

England saw the most hay fever products purchased in June. However, Wales and Scotland do not follow the same pattern. Wales saw two peaks in sales – April and June – suggesting that in line with the Met Office’s pollen seasons, tree pollen is aggravating allergies in Wales in April and grass pollen is hitting sufferers in June. Whereas, in Scotland, sales peaked in July, suggesting that grass pollen is the most aggravating allergy for sufferers in Scotland.

James O’Loan, Pharmacist and CEO at Chemist4U comments: 

“We know how much of an impact hay fever can have on all allergy-sufferers, and with 20% of the UK’s population known to suffer from hay fever, it’s a season that many people dread each year. 

“Our data highlighted Wales as one of the worst hay fever hot spots in the UK. Not only do local authorities in Wales dominate the top rankings for where is prescribed the most antihistamines, but our product sales data also shows Wales to have two peaks – making it the only place in the UK to see the demand for hay fever medicine spike twice. 

“Despite this, we know people from all across the nation suffer from seasonal allergies, especially with research showing we’re not only experiencing longer pollen seasons but also higher levels of pollen. Luckily, there are plenty of remedies and medicines available to help ease your symptoms of hay fever – from antihistamine tablets to nasal sprays. But, if your symptoms don’t improve after trying a hay fever medicine, we recommend you speak to your GP for further advice.”