Spring Sneezes
19th March 2025
Whilst we all love the spring sunshine, hay fever can make your life a misery when your eyes are watering, nose is running and you’re sneezing constantly.
With about 16 million people in Britain suffering from hay fever every year and with climate change meaning the season is starting earlier and finishing later; if you are one of the 1 in 4 Brits suffering from hay fever; it's not much fun.
https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2024/02/23/will-climate-change-make-the-effects-of-pollen-worse/
So what is hay fever?
Essentially, it is an allergic reaction to pollen and its medical name is seasonal allergic rhinitis.
This allergic reaction can be to tree pollen which is released in spring, grass pollen which is more common at the end of spring and beginning of summer, or weed pollen which is released from plants in late autumn.
Therefore, in the UK hay fever symptoms can occur from March to November with most patients affected in spring and early summer.
Symptoms:
We all recognize the symptoms of hay fever; sneezing, runny or blocked nose, itchy, red, watery eyes and sometimes a cough. Some people also get skin rashes and generalized itching and allergic asthma causing wheezing.
These symptoms are caused by the body’s immune system over- reacting to the pollens and producing histamine which causes inflammation and the associated symptoms mentioned above.
Treatment:
Whilst there is no cure for hay fever, symptoms can be managed with medications.
Here at GP Care Now, our expert doctors can talk you through the different treatments available. These include antihistamine tablets, nasal sprays, eye drops and the hay fever injection.
The Hay fever Injection:
Is a medication called triamcinolone acetonide, better known as Kenalog. It is a steroid which is given as an injection into a muscle. It can help relieve the symptoms of hay fever by suppressing the immune system and preventing the body’s response to pollen.
This medication may not be suitable for everyone.
The medical team at GP Care Now will go through your medical history and do a thorough assessment to make sure the correct hay fever treatment is offered to you.
So, whilst hay fever may be considered a minor ailment; if you are fed up with not being able to enjoy spring and summer because of it – contact us today and discuss what treatments are available to help.