Hay Fever Treatment

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.

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.

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.

• 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