Hay Fever Treatment

Hay Fever Treatment

Dr Martyn King | Cosmedic Skin Clinic | Staffordshire

Hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) affects millions of people each year and can significantly impact quality of life. Common symptoms include sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, nasal congestion, and disrupted sleep.

For patients whose symptoms remain severe despite conventional treatments such as antihistamines, nasal sprays, and avoidance measures, a steroid injection may be considered following a medical assessment.

Triamcinolone acetonide, a long-acting corticosteroid, can help reduce the body's allergic inflammatory response during the hay fever season.

Summary

• Procedure time: 10 minutes
• Downtime: None
• Discomfort: Minimal
• Anaesthetic: Not required
• Onset of results: Usually within 24–72 hours
• Peak/final results: Typically within 1–2 weeks
• Duration: Often several weeks to months during the allergy season 
• Maintenance: Usually one injection per season if clinically appropriate

Pricing

• Hay fever consultation and treatment: From £75

💡 Treatment is only offered following a medical consultation and suitability assessment. Not all patients are suitable candidates for corticosteroid injections.

How it works

Triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid medication reduces inflammation throughout the body.

During allergic reactions, the immune system releases inflammatory chemicals that cause symptoms such as sneezing, itching, congestion, and watery eyes. A steroid injection works by suppressing this inflammatory response, helping to reduce the severity of symptoms.

The medication is administered as an intramuscular injection into the buttock.

The procedure takes only a few minutes and patients can return to normal activities immediately afterwards.

What areas can be treated

Treatment may be considered for:

• Severe seasonal hay fever
• Grass pollen allergy
• Tree pollen allergy
• Persistent allergic rhinitis not adequately controlled by conventional treatments

Treatment is not intended to replace routine allergy management and may not be appropriate for all patients.

Am I suitable?

You may be suitable if you:

• Experience severe seasonal hay fever symptoms
• Have not achieved adequate symptom control with antihistamines and nasal sprays
• Have symptoms that significantly affect daily activities, sleep, or work
• Have been medically assessed and deemed suitable

 You may not be suitable if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have uncontrolled diabetes
• Have certain infections or immune system disorders
• Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Have glaucoma
• Have a history of significant steroid-related side effects
• Have certain psychiatric conditions that may be affected by corticosteroids

A full medical consultation is essential before treatment.

Pre-treatment advice

Before treatment:

• Inform your clinician of all medications and medical conditions
• Disclose any previous steroid treatments
• Inform your clinician if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, glaucoma, osteoporosis, or immune disorders
• Advise if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding
• Continue any prescribed allergy medications unless advised otherwise

Post-treatment advice

After treatment:

• Normal activities can usually be resumed immediately
• Continue monitoring hay fever symptoms
• Continue using prescribed medications if advised
• Contact the clinic if you experience unexpected side effects
• Attend follow-up review if recommended

Side-effects & complications

Prior to treatment, potential risks and side effects must be carefully considered.

Common (temporary):

• Injection-site discomfort
• Mild bruising
• Facial flushing
• Temporary changes in mood
• Headache

Less common:

• Changes in blood sugar levels
• Sleep disturbance
• Increased appetite
• Skin thinning at the injection site
• Menstrual irregularities

Rare:

• Significant steroid-related side effects
• Infection
• Allergic reaction
• Fat atrophy (indentation at injection site)
• Elevated blood pressure
• Exacerbation of underlying medical conditions

Suitability assessment is important to minimise risk and ensure appropriate treatment.

Benefits

• May provide prolonged relief from severe hay fever symptoms
• Can reduce sneezing, itching, nasal congestion, and watery eyes
• Single treatment may provide symptom control throughout much of the allergy season
• Convenient treatment requiring minimal downtime
• May improve sleep, concentration, and quality of life in appropriately selected patients

Advice from Dr Martyn King

Dr Martyn King, Cosmedic Skin Clinic, Staffordshire

"Hay fever can have a significant impact on daily life for some patients. While most people achieve good symptom control with antihistamines and nasal sprays, there are occasions where additional treatment may be appropriate. My priority is always to ensure that patients are carefully assessed, fully informed of the benefits and risks, and offered the most suitable treatment for their individual circumstances."