Hayfever injection

For hay fever sufferers Spring/Summer is a season of itchy eyes and runny noses. 49% of people say they suffer from hay fever symptoms and, while over-the-counter medications can provide some relief, they are not always effective.

Thankfully, there is an alternative treatment available if you so wish. If you have particularly bad symptoms, the hay fever injection may reduce your discomfort so you can enjoy the outdoors again. Read on to learn more about whether this treatment option is safe.

What is Hay Fever?

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to substances such as dust mites, pollens and mould. While it is possible to experience hay fever symptoms all year round, they usually worsen between late March and September when the pollen count is high.

Common symptoms include:

·       Coughing

·       Sneezing

·       Congestion

·       Runny nose

·       Itchy nose and throat

·       Watery and itchy eyes

·       Tiredness

·       Postnasal drip – This occurs when mucus collects in the back of the throat

Is there an Injection for Hay Fever?

We offer a once off injection called Kenalog to help with severe hayfever symptoms. This medicine is designed to suppress the immune system’s reaction to pollen. As a result, the immune system stops producing antibodies to fight against pollen.

Keep in mind that this treatment is not intended for people with ordinary hay fever symptoms.

It can leave patients more susceptible to other infections, such as chickenpox, flu and shingles. What’s more, in some cases, injections can lead to other potential side effects, such as mood swings, raised blood pressure and irregular heartbeat. This is why when you book you also have a consultation with our GP prior to the injection ( can be done same day)

The Kenalog Injection

The Kenalog injection contains a steroid called triamcinolone, also known as corticosteroids. This dose is injected intramuscularly into the muscle of the buttocks. The dosage is 40mg

It is important to not confuse the Kenalog injection with a traditional vaccination. A vaccine teaches your immune system to recognise the disease and defend against infections. This helps to build up immunity and prevent harmful infections in the future. A hay fever shot, on the other hand, does not build up immunity. Instead, it suppresses symptoms and builds up a tolerance to pollen so you can keep life ticking over as normal throughout the hay fever season. This relief can last for up to 6 months.

The Benefits

If you have exhausted every other treatment option, a hay fever injection may ease your symptoms and help you get back to normal life. For many people, the effects will last for the entire hay fever season or at least reduce the severity of symptoms and make pollen season more bearable. If one dose is not enough, a second dose may be recommended by the GP. It is not advisable to have more than two injections per season, except in extreme cases.

The Risks

Remember that this treatment is offered as a last resort when other treatment options are ineffective. The reason for this is that, unlike antihistamine tablets, the effects of the injection can not be withdrawn once it has been administered. Potential side effects include:

·       Muscle weakness

·       Increased blood pressure

·       Skin rashes

·       Swelling

·       Insomnia

·       Abdominal pain

This treatment option is also not recommended for patients with the following conditions or ailments:

·       Stomach ulcers

·       Diabetes

·       Osteoporosis

·       Epilepsy

·       Pregnant or breastfeeding

·       Hypertension

·       Glaucoma

·       Cardiovascular disease

·       Active infection

  Consultation and injection £150