A hayfever injection uses a corticosteroid medicine that may help some people manage the symptoms of seasonal allergies, such as sneezing, a runny or blocked nose and itchy eyes. Many people still search for this treatment by the brand name Kenalog (triamcinolone); the corticosteroid used at our Loughborough clinic now is Depo-Medrone (methylprednisolone). It is a prescription-only medicine and a medical treatment, so it is provided only after a face-to-face consultation with a registered nurse prescriber, who will assess whether it is appropriate for you. It is not suitable for everyone, and it is not a substitute for standard hayfever treatments such as antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays, which are usually recommended first.
What a hayfever injection is
The injection contains a long-acting corticosteroid. Corticosteroids can reduce the body's inflammatory response, which is what drives many hayfever symptoms. Because it is a medical treatment with potential risks as well as possible benefits, a prescriber will talk through your history and your usual hayfever treatments before deciding whether it is a suitable option for you.