Research Shows South West England pollen count second highest in the UK

Those that suffer from allergies dread the summer months; skin irritation rises with pollution, while pollen and UV exposure cause ever-increasing issues. Protecting the skin during the summer is vital and knowing the best and worst UK locations for your skin will certainly help!

The Transform Hospital Group has revealed which UK locations allergy sufferers should avoid and the locations to visit if you want a pleasant trip.

UV exposure causes skin damage – even in the UK…

When the sun appears in the UK, it causes more harm to the skin than we think. Burns are the obvious impact but UV rays in the summer months can also cause premature ageing and, in the worst-case scenario, skin cancer. Although we may not think we need to, Brits need to ensure they are applying SPF cream with the ozone layer thinning during the months of June, July and August.

Bradford sits top of the list, but South-West regions Bath and Plymouth also made up the top ten UK cities with the greatest risk of UV exposure.

What are the most polluted areas in the UK?

London dominates the list of most polluted areas in the UK, with over half of the top ten according to data from IQAir. Hull was the only northern city to make the list.

The most polluted areas in South-West England were Weymouth (7th) and Martock (10th).

Pollution is common in built-up areas where it gets trapped between buildings, which explains why London sits top of the pile, but it can also reside in valleys and between hills.

Our skin’s barrier function can be impaired with pollution, resulting in an uneven skin tone but also irritation, dehydration and a dull appearance.

Pollen count is much higher in southern England

Hay fever is the allergy you will hear mentioned the most throughout the UK in summer months, as people rush for the antihistamine tablets to avoid itchy and uncomfortable skin. Pollen causes this skin reaction and it thrives in the summer months through grass, nettles and weeds.

The south of England includes the top two regions for pollen count with London and the South-East topping the list while the South-West sits second. To avoid allergic reactions, it is best to avoid the south and head to northern England as Yorkshire & Humber and the North-West have the lowest pollen count across the nation.

Helen Green, Skincare Expert from Transform summarised the findings as she said: “Many of us will be having staycations in the UK this summer so it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with this and to choose the location wisely.”