Hay fever injection consultations in Newcastle upon Tyne
Hay Fever Treatment provides consultations for adults who are considering a hay fever injection. The appointment is a full clinical assessment carried out before any decision is made. A qualified prescriber reviews your symptoms, your medical history and the treatments you've already tried, then decides whether an injection is clinically appropriate for you or whether another option would be safer and more effective.
You may have heard about the injection from friends or colleagues. That's a sensible starting point for a conversation, and the consultation gives you the facts you need to make an informed choice.
What is the hay fever injection?
The term usually refers to a long-acting corticosteroid given as a single injection into a large muscle. It reduces the body's inflammatory response, which can ease hay fever symptoms for part of the pollen season. It is a prescription-only medicine, so it can only be given after a prescriber has assessed you in person.
The injection doesn't treat the underlying allergy, and its effect wears off. It is also not a first-line treatment. NHS guidance does not recommend it for routine use in hay fever, because steroid injections carry a risk of side effects that everyday treatments don't.
Who can have a hay fever injection?
An injection may be considered for adults with severe seasonal hay fever that has a major effect on daily life, where standard treatment has been tried properly and hasn't worked. In practice, that usually means a daily steroid nasal spray started before the season, a regular non-drowsy antihistamine and eye drops, all used correctly.
Why standard treatment comes first
Everyday treatments such as steroid nasal sprays act mainly in the nose and carry far less risk than a steroid injection, which affects the whole body. That's why the prescriber will want to know exactly what you've tried, for how long and how you used it. If those treatments haven't had a fair trial yet, the safer route is usually to get them working properly first.
When an injection is usually not suitable
It is usually not suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes, an active infection, certain mental health conditions, glaucoma, osteoporosis or a history of stomach ulcers. It may also be unsuitable if you've recently had, or are due, a live vaccine, or if you take certain other medicines. This list isn't complete, which is why the full assessment matters.
Is the hay fever injection safe?
Like any steroid treatment, the injection can cause side effects, and the risk increases with repeated use. The prescriber will go through these with you in detail, including:
- Changes in mood, sleep or appetite
- Raised blood sugar levels
- Changes to periods
- Thinning or dimpling of the skin where the injection is given
- A higher risk of infection
- Effects on bones and on the body's own steroid production
If an injection is given, it is generally limited to one per season. You'll also be told which symptoms to look out for afterwards and when to seek medical advice.
What happens at your appointment?
The consultation starts with a detailed conversation about your hay fever: when symptoms begin, how severe they are and what you've tried so far. The prescriber then reviews your medical history and current medicines to check for anything that would make an injection unsafe.
You'll then hear the prescriber's recommendation and the reasons behind it. If an injection is appropriate, the benefits, risks and aftercare are explained so you can decide whether to go ahead. If it isn't, you'll leave with a clear alternative plan for the season.
Booking a consultation does not mean you will receive an injection. The final decision always rests with the prescriber, based on what is safe for you.
Alternatives to the hay fever injection
For many people, better-combined prescription treatments, started at the right point in the season, control their symptoms well. For severe grass or tree pollen allergy confirmed by allergy testing, immunotherapy offers a longer-term route that aims to reduce the allergy itself. The prescriber will discuss which of these could suit you.
Why choose Hay Fever Treatment for your assessment?
Hay Fever Treatment specialises in hay fever, so your appointment is focused entirely on getting your symptoms under control safely. You'll get a straight answer about whether an injection is right for you, and fees are confirmed before you book. To get started, complete the quote form at the top of the page, or read how it works to see each step before you enquire.