Hay fever can be miserable if you suffer from it, with a range of unpleasant symptoms which can affect your day-to-day life. While some may be managed using home remedies, others require medication and if your hay fever is severe, you may want to consider a hay fever injection.

Hay fever injections can be carried out every two years.

When the pollen count is high, hay fever sufferers experience symptoms including:

• Itchy, watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Runny or blocked nose
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Headaches and migraines due to blocked sinuses
• Fatigue

What causes hay fever?

Hay fever, also known as Allergic Rhinitis, happens when someone is allergic to pollen, dust or mould. Around 20 per cent of the population suffers from hay fever, according to Allergy UK. Those who are most likely to suffer with it are people with a family history of eczema or asthma.

Hay fever is at its worst during dry, warm and windy weather, because this is when the pollen count is high. There are three types of pollen, including:

• Tree pollen – high count from February-June
• Grass pollen – high count from May-July
• Weed pollen – high count from June-September

What is the hay fever injection?

The injection for hayfever consists of Triamcinolone Acetonide, a corticosteroid medicine which is administered through a deep intramuscular injection, usually into the large buttock muscles. Medical professionals may prescribe it for a range of conditions, including inflammatory and allergic ailments including seasonal allergies (more commonly known as hay fever) and allergic rhinitis.

While hay fever generally affects people at times when pollen levels are at their highest, in spring and summer, allergic reactions caused by other allergy-related problems can happen throughout the year. Our pharmacists can discuss and advise the best course of treatment for the symptoms you are experiencing.

Do you have severe hay fever symptoms?

If you are using over-the-counter hay fever remedies, which are typically antihistamine tablets, nose sprays and eye drops, and you are only getting limited relief, it’s possible you have severe hay fever symptoms. When these traditional remedies are no longer working, and you have also tried prescribed medication that is not helping to relieve your symptoms, an injection could be the answer.

How many treatments are needed?

Only one injection is required with this simple treatment, which contains 40mg of Triamcinolone Acetonide – enough to give you relief all hay fever season. You’ll be protected from the physical symptoms, allowing you to go about your daily life without suffering.

Important to note:

The injection isn’t 100% effective and you may still experience mild symptoms It is not intended as a replacement for traditional hay fever remedies and these should continue to be taken.

How quickly does the hay fever injection take effect?

Most patients experience some relief within the first 24 hours, with the majority getting relief of symptoms within 72 hours. If your symptoms are severe or have flared up at the time you have the injection done, it may take longer to get the maximum effect. It can be administered before symptoms occur, as a preventative measure. Most hay fever patients who suffer each year choose to have an injection before symptoms start and it works best when you have it around 1 month before you normally feel the worst symptoms.

How is it available?

Our trained pharmacists can give the injection at our pharmacies based across Edinburgh & Fife. There will be a short consultation, in which they’ll ask what your symptoms are, check your medical history and ask you to complete a consent assessment. If you are found to be at no medical risk, you can have your injection there and then. It takes up to a maximum of half an hour at the clinic in total. Following the injection, you can leave immediately and will be able to drive and go about your daily routine.

What if the hay fever injection is not suitable for me?

Sometimes the injection may not be suitable for certain people, which is why we ask all patients to carry out a pharmacist consultation to assess suitability first. If it is decided that it is not suitable for you, you will be given alternative options to treat your hay fever.

Availability

Click on your preferred pharmacy to find out more about the hay fever injection service or pop in if you’re passing at any time.