IF you have been struggling with particularly bad hay fever symptoms this week, a map has explained why this is the case.

From sneezing and coughing to having a runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes and ears, hay fever can flare up at any time.

The condition, which usually worsens between late March right through to September, is made worse when weather conditions become warmer.

But The Met Office has released a map showing the pollen hotspots and has explained why people in the North East may suffering from it more than normal.

What is hayfever

Hayfever - known formally as seasonal allergic rhinitis - is an allergy that is caused by pollen grains that have been released during the pollen season.

It can leave people with a wide range of symptoms, with the main ones sneezing, runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes, mouth and throat, headaches and loss of smell.

According to the NHS, there is currently no cure for hayfever and you cannot prevent it from happening, but you can ease the effects.

Normally, hay fever sufferers take antihistamines before the day ahead to help minimise the effects of their allergies.

But depending on how your body tolerates pollen, these can sometimes prove ineffective if not taken in time, or exposure is simply too strong.

Where is it bad

The Northern Echo: Picture: MET OFFICEPicture: MET OFFICE

So The Met Office has produced a daily map showing where pollen levels are high with the North East and North Yorkshire among those suffering from the highest. 

According to forecasters, the region has a pollen level of 'Very High' with grass pollen mainly causing allergies followed by fungal spores. 

That means that hay fever sufferers in the region are likely to feel their condition particularly more due to warmer weather conditions and high levels of pollen.

For the next 48 hours, the region is set to see the highest of pollen levels with conditions slightly easing later in the week.

But over the weekend, those suffering with hay fever should take steps to avoid a flare up as pollen levels are set to be 'high.'

The five-day pollen forecast for the North East and North Yorkshire:

Tuesday (Today)- Very High

Wednesday - Very High

Thursday - Medium

Friday - High

Saturday - High 

A statement on the Met Office forecast said: "The pollen count monitoring network combines Met Office weather data with expertise from organisations such as the National Pollen and Aerobiological Unit to produce pollen forecasts for 5 days ahead across the whole of the UK."

How you take steps to prevent it from worsening

Luckily, there are several ways sufferers can help prevent hay fever from worsening.

They are:

- put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen

- wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes

- shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off

- stay indoors whenever possible

- keep windows and doors shut as much as possible

- vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth

- buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter

To view the Met Office forecast - click here