Hayfever is the immune system’s response to a foreign substance entering the body, which attempts to remove it.
In the case of hayfever, this foreign body is pollen, which is harmless to health but causes our immune system to simply over-react.
NHS Choices said treatment options for hayfever include antihistamines, which can help to prevent an allergic reaction from occurring and corticosteroids , which help to reduce inflammation and swelling.
Dr Seth Rankin, former NHS commissioner and founder of London Doctors Clinic has spoken out about the hayfever jab – which is no longer available on the NHS but can be obtained from some private clinics.
He has said the jab is ‘convenient’ but can come with side effects.
“Hayfever is a common phenomenon but there is currently no easy cure for it,” he said.
“Around 10 per cent of hayfever sufferers find their symptoms do not respond to readily available treatments such as anti-histamine tablets, eye drops and nasal sprays.
Allergy symptoms: Could jab to reduce symptoms of hay fever work?
“Antihistamines are not without side effects and they do not prove effective in every case. As an alternative, sufferers may consider the use of steroids – a powerful anti-inflammatory medication which suppress the body’s immune system response.
“Steroid treatments are available in tablet form, or in the form of an injection known as the Kenalog injection.
“The injection effectively contains the same medication as steroid tablets, but the route of administration is different.”
Amena Warner, head of Clinical Services for Allergy UK said the Kenalog injection was not the best approach for hayfever or allergic rhinitis.
“In some people it will work well,” she said. “The danger is, if you inject it you can’t remove it from your body. It is an injection of a steroid. Side-effects can be horrific and have been linked to osteoporosis.”
She said opting for the treatment was almost like ‘taking a step backwards’.
The expert recommended people continue taking over-the-counter remedies such as anti-histamines and said new guidelines will suggest desensitisation as the best therapy.
Desensitisation – also known as immunotherapy means people are gradually introduced to the allergen.
Dr Rankin said when the steroid are injected instead of ingested they are deposited directly into the muscle.
“There, they leak into the bloodstream in a low dose over the course of around three weeks,” he said.
“Hayfever sufferers generally only require one injection to reduce symptoms for the entire hayfever season. Compared to taking tablets every day, that’s very convenient.
“One of the benefits of the injection is that it does not have to go through the liver or the digestive system, so you can administer a slightly lower dose than the tablet form.”
However, Dr Rankin said some doctors have spoken out about their concern over Kenalog.
“There is some concern amongst doctors and the general public that Kenalog is unsafe. Several patients have opted for this treatment and have been very happy with the results.
“That includes myself. I have had the injection almost every season for the past twenty-five years.
“I tried it for the first time in 1992 when I was suffering particularly severe hayfever symptoms and it was a huge relief.”
Dr Rankin has explained why the injection has had a bad reputation.
Hayfever treatment: The jab can have negative side-effects
Hayfever sufferers generally only require one injection to reduce symptoms for the entire hayfever season
He said: “The main difference between the injection and the tablet form is that once you’ve had the injection, there’s nothing that anyone can do to stop the steroids entering your system.
“If you do suffer any side effects, these may last for up to three weeks. If you’re taking tablets, stopping the treatment will usually cause the symptoms to cease within twenty-four hours.
“In a nutshell – the injection is faster and more convenient than the tablets, but if you’re unlucky enough to suffer side effects, you’ll be stuck with them for longer.
“To be clear, many of the more severe side effects of steroids come from the use of very high doses over a long period of time.
“The hayfever injection contains a relatively low dose and carries a much lower risk of adverse side effects.”
However Dr Rankin said steroid medication is not necessarily risk-free.
Hayfever symptoms: Hay fever can be treated with antihistamines
“It is possible to experience side effects from the Kenalog injection or steroid tablets,” he explained. “These could include swelling, breathing difficulties, itchy skin or skin rashes and abdominal pain, amongst others. Before anyone agrees to a steroid treatment, they should be made explicitly aware of the potential side effects, but it’s also good to remember that they are relatively rare.”
The NHS has stopped offering the Kenalog injection as a treatment for hayfever.
“It’s easy to see why,” added Dr Rankin.
“In a system where you’re aiming to minimise the time patients spend with Doctors for minor conditions, tablets are a safe, effective treatment.”
“At London Doctors Clinic, where we have time to talk people through their options, we encourage patients to weigh up the pros and cons for themselves.
“If it’s convenience you’re after, the injection could just be the treatment for you.”
The London Doctors Clinic offers the injection for £20 plus £55 for the appointment so £75 in total.
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