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.
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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
Frequently asked questions
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, email our customer care team or chat with us.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Next-day appointments are available at our branches.