Hay fever can be miserable. For some people, it is much more than the odd sneeze or itchy eye. It can affect sleep, concentration, work, school, exams, sport, holidays and quality of life.
When symptoms feel overwhelming, it is completely understandable that people start looking for a quick fix. One treatment that often gets talked about online is the so-called “hay fever jab”, a long-acting steroid injection sometimes promoted as a way to suppress symptoms for several weeks.
Dr Helen, founder of Dr Helen Allergy, has spoken candidly about this topic, including in a recent BBC discussion, and her advice is clear: she does not recommend steroid injections for routine hay fever management.
Why does Dr Helen not recommend the so-called Hay Fever jab?
The treatment often referred to online as the “hay fever jab” is usually associated with Kenalog, a long-acting steroid injection. Kenalog is a prescription-only medicine and is not licensed in the UK for the treatment of hay fever.
This is also why patients may see fewer clinics openly promoting the injection online. In 2022, the MHRA and CAP issued a joint enforcement notice warning organisations to stop advertising Kenalog as a hay fever treatment on websites and social media. Kenalog is a prescription-only medicine and must not be directly or indirectly advertised to the public. You can read the MHRA guidance on Kenalog and hay fever advertising.
It belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids. Unlike a nasal steroid spray, which is designed to work mainly in the nose, an injected steroid has an effect across the whole body. This is why it may reduce hay fever symptoms, but it is also why the potential side effects need to be taken seriously.
As Dr Helen explains, the appeal is understandable. When pollen counts are high and symptoms are affecting sleep, work, school or everyday life, people naturally want fast relief. However, hay fever is usually a seasonal condition, and using a powerful, whole-body steroid injection to manage it is not something she feels offers the right balance of benefit and risk for most patients.
Instead, Dr Helen recommends looking at safer, more targeted ways to manage symptoms, including the correct use of nasal sprays, antihistamines, eye drops and, for some patients, specialist allergy assessment and immunotherapy.
The issue with a long-acting injection
One of the main concerns with a depot steroid injection is that, once it has been given, it cannot be taken back out of the body. If someone experiences side effects, the medication is already in their system and may continue to act for some time.
Possible side effects can include sleep disturbance, mood changes, changes to the menstrual cycle, raised blood sugar, increased susceptibility to infection, raised blood pressure and effects on the bones and eyes. Repeated use may increase concerns around longer-term issues such as osteoporosis, glaucoma, cataracts or worsening diabetes risk in susceptible people.
There can also be local effects at the injection site, including changes to the skin or the fatty tissue underneath the skin, which may leave a dent or area of thinning.
This does not mean every person who has ever had a steroid injection will experience serious side effects. But it does mean the treatment needs to be approached with caution, particularly when there are safer, evidence-based ways to manage hay fever.
Hay fever deserves proper treatment, not just a quick fix
Dr Helen is very clear that hay fever should not be dismissed. Severe hay fever can be exhausting and disruptive, especially for children and teenagers during exam season, people who work outdoors, and those whose symptoms trigger or worsen asthma.
However, the answer is not simply to suppress the immune response with a powerful injection year after year.
Instead, the focus should be on understanding what is driving the symptoms and building a treatment plan that is safe, effective and appropriate for the individual.
For many people, this starts with using the right combination of treatments consistently and correctly. This may include:
- A non-drowsy antihistamine
• A steroid nasal spray used regularly and with the correct technique
• Antihistamine eye drops
• Saline nasal rinses or sprays
• Practical pollen-reduction strategies, such as showering after being outdoors, keeping windows closed at peak pollen times and wearing wraparound sunglasses
One of the most common issues Dr Helen sees is that people are using the right type of treatment, but not in the most effective way. Nasal sprays, for example, often work best when used every day during the season, rather than only when symptoms are already severe.
Technique also matters. Try not to spray straight up the nose or towards the middle of the nose. Instead, use a cross-body technique: use your right hand for your left nostril and your left hand for your right nostril, gently angling the spray outwards towards the ear. This helps the treatment reach the right area, reduces irritation and makes it less likely to run down the back of the throat, which can leave an unpleasant taste.
When to see an allergy specialist
If hay fever is still affecting your life despite over-the-counter or prescribed treatments, it may be time to see an allergy specialist.
An allergy consultation can help identify which pollens or allergens are causing symptoms and whether there are other factors involved, such as asthma, eczema, pollen food syndrome or perennial allergic rhinitis caused by house dust mite or animal dander allergy.
For some patients, allergen immunotherapy may be an option. This is sometimes called desensitisation. Rather than simply masking symptoms, immunotherapy works by gradually training the immune system to become less reactive to a specific allergen.
Immunotherapy is not suitable for everyone, and it needs to be prescribed and monitored carefully by an appropriately trained clinician. However, for the right patient, it can be a much more targeted, long-term approach than relying on repeated short-term fixes.
Dr Helen’s advice for Hay Fever sufferers
Dr Helen says:
“I completely understand why people ask about the hay fever injection. When hay fever is severe, people are desperate to feel better. As a sufferer for many years myself, I know how debilitating it can be.
“But my role is to help patients make safe, informed decisions. A long-acting steroid injection affects the whole body, and for routine hay fever I do not feel the risk-benefit balance is right.
“There are better, safer strategies. The key is getting the right diagnosis, using treatments properly and, where appropriate, considering allergy immunotherapy.”
Need help with hay fever?
If hay fever is affecting your sleep, work, school, exams or quality of life, you do not have to struggle through the season alone.
At Dr Helen Allergy and Dr Helen Medical, we offer specialist allergy consultations for adults and children, including allergy testing where appropriate and tailored advice on hay fever management.
To find out more or book an appointment, please get in touch.
Call 01202 022956 or email info@drhelenallergy.co.uk
FAQS
What is the hay fever jab?
The “hay fever jab” is a term often used online to describe a long-acting steroid injection, commonly associated with Kenalog. It is sometimes promoted as a way to reduce hay fever symptoms for several weeks.
Is Kenalog licensed for hay fever in the UK?
No. Kenalog is a prescription-only medicine and is not licensed in the UK for the treatment of hay fever.
Why does Dr Helen not recommend the hay fever jab?
Dr Helen does not recommend it for routine hay fever management because it is a whole-body steroid treatment. While it may reduce symptoms, it can also carry potential side effects and is not usually the safest or most targeted approach for a seasonal allergy.
What are the possible side effects of steroid injections for hay fever?
Possible side effects can include sleep disturbance, mood changes, menstrual cycle changes, raised blood sugar, increased susceptibility to infection, raised blood pressure, effects on bones and eyes and changes to the skin or fatty tissue at the injection site.
What does Dr Helen recommend instead?
Dr Helen recommends safer, more targeted treatment strategies. These may include regular use of a steroid nasal spray with the correct technique, non-drowsy antihistamines, antihistamine eye drops, saline nasal rinses and practical pollen-reduction strategies.
When should I see an allergy specialist for hay fever?
If hay fever is affecting your sleep, work, school, exams, sport or quality of life despite over-the-counter or prescribed treatments, it may be time to see an allergy specialist.
Can immunotherapy help hay fever?
For some patients, yes. Allergen immunotherapy, also known as desensitisation, may help by gradually training the immune system to become less reactive to a specific allergen. It is not suitable for everyone and should be prescribed and monitored by an appropriately trained clinician.
To find out more or book an appointment, please get in touch.
Call 01202 022956 or email info@drhelenallergy.co.uk