Published April 2024

Hay fever season is already upon us. It is usually worse between the months of March and September and particularly bad when it’s warm, humid, and windy. It is estimated that hay fever affects 10-15% of the population to some extent. If you are suffering from any of the following symptoms, it is possible that you have hay fever:

  • sneezing and coughing
  • runny or blocked nose
  • itchy, red, or watery eyes
  • itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
  • headache
  • earache
  • feeling tired

Alongside preventative measures ( e.g. using Vaseline around your nose, wearing wrap-around sunglasses and avoiding outdoors activities) there are plenty of remedies you can take – antihistamines, eye drops and nasal sprays are usually very effective against hay fever and many can be bought over the counter, with some needing a prescription. The great majority of people will gain relief from hay fever by using these common treatments.

Some people have extreme hay fever and many consider a Kenalog injection to help them get through the season. Each Kenalog injection contains Triamcinolone acetonide 40mg/1ml as the active ingredient. Triamcinolone acetonide belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids (steroids). The principal effect of corticosteroids is to reduce the body’s inflammatory and allergic response. They are used to treat a number of medical conditions and have no doubt saved countless lives since their discovery in the 1940’s, however there are significant risks attached to using steroids. Kenalog injections were given routinely to severe hay fever sufferers via the NHS until approximately 10 years ago. Due to concerns over the side effects, the NHS no longer prescribes Kenalog for hay fever. A Kenalog injection does not cure hay fever – it temporarily suppresses the immune system enough to take away the symptoms.

If you suffer badly from hay fever and would like to discuss your symptoms and all of the options available to you, please get in touch.

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