Hay Fever Consultation

About hay fever

Hay fever is a common seasonal allergy that affects 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 untreated, hay fever can significantly disrupt daily life and lead to other more severe health conditions.

In the UK, hay fever season typically starts in late March or early April, with tree pollens. Grass pollens, the most common trigger, are prevalent between May and July, while weed pollen season peaks between June and September. Some people may also experience symptoms year-round due to moulds or dust mites in their home or workplace environment.

Available treatment options

Various treatments are 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, nasal sprays, and corticosteroid tablets, which block the action of histamine.

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), vitamins C and E (which act as powerful antioxidants), and herbal teas containing ingredients such as nettle leaf extract, chamomile flower extract, and ginger root powder. These can help reduce inflammation and soothe irritation associated with hay fever symptoms.

Support for patients struggling with severe hay fever

If you suffer from severe hay fever and find that over-the-counter treatments are not providing enough relief, we offer a specialist consultation service at Midway Pharmacy. Our qualified prescribers can assess your symptoms and explore various treatment options to help manage your condition effectively.

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 16 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