hayfever injections contain a type of steroid. They are injected into a large muscle (usually the glute). The injection seeps into the bloodstream over time. One injection can last a whole hayfever season.
This treatment is available to patients who meet medical criteria. You will have a consultation before you receive the injection. We explain the benefits, risks and alternatives.
Why Your “Cold” Might Actually Be hayfever
If you suffer from hayfever symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes and sinus pressure, you are not alone. hayfever (also called allergic rhinitis) affects millions of Americans. The symptoms of hayfever can often overlap with those of a cold, but unlike a cold, they are not caused by a virus. They are caused by a reaction to an allergen such as pollen, dust mites or the tiny flecks of skin shed by pets (pet dander).
The immune system responds to these substances by releasing chemicals that attack them. These chemicals can lead to inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nose, throat or sinuses and cause the common symptoms of hayfever.
There are many treatments for hayfever, including antihistamine tablets and liquids, eye drops and nasal sprays. Allergy injections are also available, but they must be given by a doctor and should only be used under strict supervision. They are not recommended for children under 18, as long-term use of steroid medications can increase the risk of serious side effects, such as bone loss and osteoporosis.
Many patients now explore specialised hayfever treatment in Birmingham to get accurate diagnosis and long-term relief.This includes keeping windows closed during peak pollen seasons, avoiding outdoor activities and taking allergy medicines such as over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal sprays. Some people may find immunotherapy helpful, too. These treatments expose your body to small amounts of allergen over time, which helps the immune system build a tolerance to them. These treatments are only available at some NHS clinics, and are not yet widely available in the UK. For more information about immunotherapy for hayfever, talk to your doctor or visit the Asthma and Allergy Support Group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
The Root Causes of Seasonal hayfever
For one in four people, spring and summer bring the dreaded hayfever symptoms of runny noses, itchy eyes, wheezing and sneezing. Symptoms tend to peak when pollen counts increase and can make it difficult to function, particularly in children.
Despite the discomfort, hayfever symptoms are generally not dangerous and can be relieved with antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays or eye drops. However, these are only a short-term relief and the symptoms can often return when the pollen count increases again. A hayfever injection is an alternative way to alleviate hayfever symptoms, and can help to reduce the need for other medications throughout the season.
A steroid hayfever injection works by dampening the body’s over-active immune system, which is responsible for causing the allergic reaction. The injection contains a low-dose of steroids, which are delivered through an intramuscular injection to the buttock. It is a safe and effective treatment and has the advantage of being more convenient and less costly than taking daily tablets.
There are also immunotherapy hayfever injections, which work by gradually introducing allergens into the body over time. This starts in the winter months, before the spring and summer allergy seasons, and is intended to desensitise your body to the pollen so it doesn’t react so severely.
Allergy testing is usually not required for hayfever, as your GP can identify which allergens may be the cause from your history of symptoms and clinical examination. However, if your allergy is not well controlled by other treatments, or you require a more targeted approach, allergy testing will be needed to identify your triggers using either blood tests (specific IgE antibodies) or skin prick tests.
Restoring Quality of Life: How the hayfever Jab Provides Seasonal Relief
For many people, hayfever symptoms are manageable by taking antihistamine tablets or a nasal spray. However, for some people, these are not enough and life can be disrupted by the constant sneezing, itchiness and congestion that comes when pollen counts rise. For these people, a hayfever injection can be the answer.
A hayfever injection is a type of corticosteroid called triamcinolone acetonide. It is injected into a large muscle, usually in the buttocks, and it slowly moves into your bloodstream. It acts across the body, calming inflammation and helping your immune system to react less to pollen. Unlike tablet-based treatments, the injection lasts several months, providing steady relief throughout peak pollen season.
The effect starts to work in the first 1-2 weeks, with most patients experiencing significant relief of hayfever symptoms. This relief commonly lasts throughout the hayfever season, and allows patients to continue enjoying outdoor activities without the need for additional medication.
It can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with other medications such as oral steroids or eye drops (such as Sodium Cromoglycate). One injection provides symptom relief that lasts up to 12 weeks, significantly improving the quality of life for people suffering from severe hayfever.
This powerful medication should be reserved for those who have exhausted all other options and only after a full medical assessment. Private GPs are able to assess patients carefully for suitability, ensuring the risks are fully considered and alternatives discussed before prescribing this treatment. Our GPs will only consider this as a later-stage option for a small number of suitable patients. For this reason, we only offer a hayfever injection at our clinics after a full pathway review and documented risk/benefit discussion.
hayfever Injection Side Effects and Safety
A hayfever injection suppresses your immune system’s overreaction to pollen. Your body responds to pollen by releasing chemicals like histamine which cause the runny nose, itchiness and watery eyes. The hayfever jab reduces these chemicals right at the source, so your body can stop reacting and start to tolerate pollen. The hayfever injection contains the anti-inflammatory medication Triamcinolone acetonide. It is injected into the buttock and takes only seconds to administer. The injection is very safe and effective, but like any treatment the results can differ between individuals.
The hayfever jab will help you feel better during allergy season so you can enjoy your spring and summer without having to compromise on the things you love. For those who are frustrated with a runny nose and sneezing that interferes with sleep, work and their social life, the hayfever injection could offer long term relief.
Our GPs will take the time to explain this treatment and ensure that it is the best option for you. They will also discuss other private hayfever treatments that may be suitable for you, including prescription medications and immunotherapy.
There are some common side effects of the hayfever injection which can be managed with simple changes to your lifestyle. These include avoiding pollen triggers, wearing a mask when outside, not hanging laundry out to dry and using saline nasal rinses or cellulose nasal barrier sprays which can act as a physical shield against inhaled allergens. Other side effects can include drowsiness, headaches, irritated skin and abdominal pain. Very rarely the injection can lead to a serious allergic reaction which requires emergency treatment and can be fatal. The GPs at The Face Medic will be on hand to give you the treatment and help you cope with any side effects should they occur.
Results
Known as the hayfever jab, Kenalog is an effective and convenient way to manage your hayfever symptoms. A GP will assess you before giving you the injection, and alternative treatments are always discussed first. We only offer a hayfever injection to patients with severe symptoms, and this is only after a full consultation and a risk-benefit discussion, using validated rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life measures. Our PS70 fee includes the consultation and injection treatment – so there are no hidden costs or delays. Symptom relief usually lasts up to 12 weeks, which can help you get through peak pollen season comfortably.
