Hay fever hangovers can be triggered by exposure to high levels of pollen – but what is it about this that leads to the ‘hangover’ symptoms?

Professor Adam Fox, an allergy expert working with FUSION Allergy, explains that it could be to do with the way high levels of pollen affect the airways.

“One of the likely reasons for feeling generally unwell or ‘hungover’ the morning after a high pollen count is inflammation in your upper airways caused by the pollen,” he explains. “This inflammation can impact your quality of sleep, making it harder to fall asleep in the first place and then reducing sleep quality.”

This inflammation can become particularly problematic at night, because we’re actually more susceptible to allergens at this time. Indeed, research has shown that our sensitivity to allergens may increase at night due to a fluctuation in immune activity related to the body’s internal clock or circadian rhythm.

Feeling groggy? A ‘hay fever hangover’ could be to blame