Hay Fever Treatment

Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is common in the UK. More than 10 million people in England alone suffer from it each year, and experts estimate that around one in three people are affected at some point throughout their life.

Hay Fever Treatment

Next-day appointments available

Book an appointment at one of our branches for next-day service.

About hay fever

Hay fever is a common seasonal allergy affecting millions of people in the United Kingdom annually. It is caused when pollen from grass, trees and other plants is released into the air and inhaled by someone allergic to them. If left untreated, hay fever can cause significant disruption to daily life and even lead to other more severe health conditions.

In the UK, hay fever season typically starts in late March or early April, with high grass pollen counts usually lasting until mid-July. Tree pollen then takes over from July to September, while weed pollen season peaks during August and September. Some people may also experience symptoms year-round due to moulds or dust mites in their home or workplace environment.

What causes hay fever?

The exact cause of hay fever remains unknown. However, certain factors are known to increase a person's risk of developing it, such as having a family history of allergies or asthma, being exposed to pollutants or smoking during childhood and living near areas with high levels of pollution or tree planting activities such as roadsides or public parks.

The most common allergens responsible for hay fever across the UK are tree pollen (oak, birch and hazel trees), grass pollen (rye, timothy, couch grass) and weed pollen (plantain, nettle). The amount of pollen released into the air can vary significantly from season to season, depending on the weather conditions. Warmer weather tends to mean higher pollen levels in the atmosphere, leading to more severe symptoms for those with hay fever.

Although hay fever can be uncomfortable and even debilitating for some sufferers, many treatments can reduce its symptoms.

Available treatment options

There are various treatments available for hay fever sufferers in the UK. The most important of these is avoidance; where possible, it's best to avoid known triggers by keeping windows closed during high pollen periods, wearing sunglasses outside when it's windy, showering after being outdoors and avoiding certain outdoor activities such as mowing the lawn or gardening when pollen counts are high.

Another way to reduce hay fever symptoms is through over-the-counter medication. Common drugs used to treat hay fever in the UK include antihistamines – which work by blocking the action of histamine – decongestants, nasal sprays and corticosteroid tablets. For those with particularly severe symptoms that don't respond well to traditional medicines, our prescribers may be able to offer alternative treatments following a consultation.

Finally, natural remedies for hay fever are becoming increasingly popular among UK sufferers who wish to avoid chemical medications. These include dietary supplements such as quercetin (a natural antihistamine) and vitamins C and E (which both act as powerful antioxidants), as well as herbal teas containing ingredients such as nettle leaf extract, chamomile flower extract and ginger root powder which can help reduce inflammation and soothe irritation associated with hay fever symptoms.

Although several options are available for treating hay fever in the UK, treatment decisions using our service are for the prescriber and patient to consider jointly during a consultation. They are not based solely on the price.

How this service works

  • Book an appointment below for a consultation with one of our prescribers

  • Follow the link in your booking confirmation email to fill out the patient questionnaire (at least 12 hours before your appointment)

  • One of our prescribers will review the completed questionnaire and contact you to discuss this

  • During the consultation, you and our prescriber will decide on the most appropriate treatment option for you

  • If appropriate, our prescriber will issue a prescription and book you into your preferred Midway Pharmacy branch to receive the treatment

  • You will need to pay for the medicine we prescribe. We will tell you the price of the medication before we prescribe it and take payment

Available service option

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, email our customer care team or chat with us.

  • Hay Fever Treatment - Consultation

    £15 per patient

    If you suffer from severe symptoms that don't respond well to traditional medicines, our prescribers may be able to offer alternative treatments following a consultation.

    Currently unavailable

Prefer to book this service over the phone?

Call us on 0113 322 9984

What our customers think

5 out of 5 stars

Vaccinations all given professionally plus lots of useful medical advice given for our holiday.

Andy Boothroyd

5 out of 5 stars

Offered me a blood pressure check which I happily accepted. Attended on the same day. Asked if it were possible to pay for a flu jab (I’m not eligible yet) and got that at the same time! Excellent!! Very polite and helpful.

Penny Speers

5 out of 5 stars

Professional and conscientious staff. Mehwish did a great job syringing my ears, thanks 😊

Thomas Francos

5 out of 5 stars

I booked the ear syringing service at Midway Pharmacy in Morley through the online booking system. Really friendly and professional service from Sharon. I’m really grateful to be able to hear properly again. The treatment only took a few minutes and Sharon is clearly really well trained at what she does. Thank you again.

Paul Mcgrath

Rating
4.6
99 reviews
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Frequently asked questions

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, email our customer care team or chat with us.

    • When is the hay fever season?

      In the UK, hay fever season typically starts in late March or early April, with high grass pollen counts usually lasting until mid-July.

    • Is there a cure for hay fever?

      There's no cure for hay fever, and you cannot prevent it. But you can do things to ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high.

      Do

      Don't

      • put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen

      • wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen from getting into your eyes

      • shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off

      • stay indoors whenever possible

      • keep windows and doors shut as much as possible

      • vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth

      • buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter

      • try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your usual activities

      • do not cut grass or walk on grass

      • do not spend too much time outside

      • do not keep fresh flowers in the house

      • do not smoke or be around smoke – it makes your symptoms worse

      • do not dry clothes outside – they can catch pollen

      • do not let pets into the house if possible – they can carry pollen indoors

    • What are the symptoms of hay fever?

      Symptoms of hay fever include:

      • sneezing and coughing

      • a runny or blocked nose

      • itchy, red or watery eyes

      • itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears

      • loss of smell

      • pain around your temples and forehead

      • headache

      • earache

      • feeling tired

      If you have asthma, you might also:

      • have a tight feeling in your chest

      • be short of breath

      • wheeze and cough

      Hay fever will last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after 1 to 2 weeks.

    • Are next-day appointments available?

      Yes, you can get next-day appointments at all our branches. Contact our customer care team if you cannot find an available slot.

    • Where is this service available?

      This service is available in our branches, which are commutable from anywhere in Yorkshire, including Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, York, Huddersfield, Sheffield, Barnsley, Hull, Doncaster, Ripon, Harrogate, Dewsbury, Keighley and Scarborough.

Ready to book this service?

Next-day appointments are available at our branches.