Irish hay fever sufferers will receive advance warnings on pollen levels via mobile phone text messages in a new service unveiled today.
Up to one in five people in Ireland suffer from the condition, and the country has one of the worst levels in the world. Windborne pollens and spores cause hay fever from March to October.
By texting HAYFEVER to 51123, customers of the service will receive a once-off pollen alert while those who text ALLERGY will be alerted daily when pollen counts are high or forecasted to be high. The service costs about 13 cents per message.
Speaking at a launch in Dublin today, GP and resident doctor on RTÉ's Open HouseDr Michael O'Brien said the service would help sufferers and the parents of sufferers.
"The numbers suffering hay fever has doubled in the last 20 years and continues to increase. Forewarned is forearmed and this new service is a valuable cost-effective warning that a high pollen count is predicted," he said.
Pollen counts are affected by specific weather conditions, sunlight, time of the day, rainfall and wind speed. Pollen emanates from trees, grass and flowers.
Symptoms include sneezing, nasal itching and discharge, burning and weeping eyes. Some sufferers experience itching, reddening and swellings on the skin.
