Private Hay Fever Shots and Consultations

Home > GP Consultation > Lifestyle and Wellbeing > Private Hay Fever Shots and Consultations

Despite the warmer weather, many people dread springtime. The ‘hay fever season’ returns causing obstructive and ongoing symptoms for many.

If you suffer from severe symptoms, or are experiencing considerably worse symptoms than usual, book a consultation with one of our GPs. After a thorough assessment, they may be able to offer you a prescription hay fever shot to reduce your discomfort and make things more bearable.

Sneezing coughing ill young african woman using paper napkin, having runny nose, blowing her nose. Coronavirus, infectious disease, flu, cold.

What is Hay Fever?

Hay fever is the basic response from your autoimmune system which is trying to prevent the pollen from entering your body. Although pollen is not dangerous to your health, the body has a heightened reaction to it and this is when patients experience itchy nose and eyes, running nose, sneezing and nasal congestion. The period one might experience these symptoms varies on the area they live in. Usually, it starts in late spring and continues up until September. 

Common Symptoms

Common hay fever symptoms include:

  • Runny nose
  • Blocked sinuses
  • Sore eyes
  • Itchy eyes
  • Increased sneezing
  • Foggy head
  • Headaches
  • Tiredness
  • Generally feeling unwell

Managing Your Symptoms

There are many ways you can attempt to manage and control your hay fever and, for some sufferers, these are enough to keep their discomfort at bay. Before seeking stronger, prescribed medication, see if the following is suitable for your symptoms. 

  • Avoid going outdoors when the pollen count exceeds 50
  • Regularly wash your hands and face
  • Keep all external windows and doors closed
  • Reduce your contact with other allergens, such as pet fur and cigarette smoke
  • Reduce and limit your alcohol consumption

In addition, there are many over-the-counter antihistamine tablets and nasal sprays you can try, as well as eye drops. For those who battle with long-term hay fever, immunotherapy and Rhinolight phototherapy may ease your symptoms. At Midland Health, we specialise in hay fever immunotherapy for children, find out more here. If none of these options offers you any relief, make an appointment and speak to our GPs.

The Hay Fever Shot

The hay fever shot can reduce symptoms of hay fever for the entire season. If you have previously been administered other treatments, such as oral antihistamine tablets and topical eye drops, a final solution you can explore to alleviate your hay fever symptoms is to receive a dose of steroids. This treatment option is only recommended for those who have severe symptoms and who receive GP approval.

How Does It Work?

During your appointment, our GPs will take the time to detail the benefits as well as the side effects of the prescription medicine. They will make sure that this is the right treatment for you, assessing whether other treatments might be best suitable for your needs. 

The hay fever shot is administered intramuscularly and the effects will start working within one to 48 hours after having the dose.

The effectiveness of hayfever treatment can vary from person to person, as each individual's response to the treatment can differ. The doctor could recommend a second dose during a consultation based on the specific needs and response of the individual.

The Benefits

  • Patients can require one dose to reduce the symptoms for the entire season (up to three months)
  • Cost-effective compared to investing in all over-the-counter treatments and methods
  • The injection does not go through the digestive system or the liver

A consultation with a Midland Health GP is necessary to work out if the shot is right for you. This prescription hay fever treatment is only offered to those with the most severe symptoms. If you have exhausted all other options, your next step is to arrange an appointment at our Birmingham hay fever clinic. 

Pricing

Hay Fever GP Consultation

£80

Hayfever Treatment Second Dose

£55

(second dose is not necessary for everyone)

Why Choose Us

Our GPs know and understand just how debilitating severe hay fever symptoms can be. That is why they offer thorough assessments to see which treatment options best suit you and your allergy.

We don’t believe in waiting lists, if you need a consultation with a GP, simply select the date and time that suits you best. Our high standards of care are accessible from our two convenient locations. At both, you can expect:

  • Exceptional patient care
  • Easy access to consultations with specialists 
  • No need for referrals and no long wait times
  • State-of-the-art medical facilities

Hay Fever Shots in Birmingham

Our private hay fever clinic in Birmingham is located in the heart of Edgbaston, just outside the city centre. It is only a 15-minute walk from Five Ways Train Station or easily accessible by car from the A456.

FAQ

  • Soreness for a few days where the steroid is administered – we inject it into a large muscle in the buttock to reduce the risk of this
  • Sleep disturbance for a couple of days
  • Headache
  • Joint Pain
  • Increased risk of infection

If you are undergoing any treatment that lowers your immune system or receiving chemotherapy then you will not be able to have the dose. Caution is also required in diabetics and those with high blood pressure.

If you have received recent treatment for TB or are taking other immune-suppressing medication then you may not be able to have the hay fever shot. It’s always important to tell the doctor your full medical history as bowel, kidney and bone disorders may mean you cannot have this dose.

Hay fever shots are recommended for anyone who suffers from hay fever symptoms, such as a runny nose, red/watery eyes, sneezing, etc. Unlike over-the-counter allergy tablets, the dose can provide long-term relief that lasts the whole season.

It is not recommended for:

  • Women who are breastfeeding
  • Those suffering from a suppressed immune system
  • Those currently suffering from an infection
  • Anyone who is planning to undergo surgery within 3 months of the dosage
  • Those with high blood pressures
  • Those with an undiagnosed Medical problem
  • Anyone under the age of 18
  • Anyone who has got a live vaccine in the last 4 weeks

If you regularly experience hay fever symptoms every year, you should consider getting the hay fever shot before the start of the season, or at any time after the appearance of severe symptoms.

The dose is usually administered in the buttocks.

Usually, you can feel the positive effects within 48 hours but it may take up to 10 days to see the full results.

The area where the treatment is administered may be sore for 24 hours; but, there are no other unpleasant side effects. You will be able to leave the Midland Health clinic immediately and go back to your daily activities as usual.

The hay fever shot can be an effective relief of hay fever symptoms for up to 6 months.

In most cases, one dose is enough to suppress the symptoms of hay fever. However, in more severe cases, the symptoms may persist. If that happens, you could opt to approach a GP regarding a second dose which can be administered a minimum of 14 days after the first.

Word360
We have translators available for your appointment.

Digital Prescription

Midland Health has partnered with a highly reputable online pharmacy provider, Cloud Rx to ensure you receive your prescriptions directly to your home address as a next-day service. This way, you can be sure the medicine is available and delivered directly to your home or nominated address. No need for paper prescriptions or to have to go to multiple pharmacies to find the medicine that has been issued by our Midland Health doctors to you. To find out more about our digital prescription service please click here.

Get in Touch Today

Ask us anything about this service, other services or
Midland Health and we'll get straight back to you.

Close