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Hayfever/ Rhinitis

Hay Fever Desensitization

Q. What is Hay Fever?

A. The term is usually restricted to an allergy to the Grass Pollens. The exact timing of the season varies to some extent, but generally peaks from mid May to early July. Reactions before or after this are often due to other allergens e.g. trees, shrubs and moulds particularly in Autumn. People with hay fever may also have allergies to house dust mite resulting in year round symptoms. (Perennial Rhinitis)

Q. Can I be desensitized?

A. Yes. This can be the most effective form of treatment. Desensitization (Immunotherapy) has been used extensively for grass pollen and dust mite allergies. The conventional method involved increasing doses of a standardised extract of pollen being injected on a regular basis to increase immunity. This was effective in many cases, but in a very small minority it caused a strong reaction and very occasionally death. It has been severely restricted in England in recent years and is now rarely used.

In recent years there is increasing interest in sub-lingual immunotherapy (SLIT). This involves diluting a standard extract of grass pollens and placing a drop under the tongue. Depending on the particular sensitivity and allergy test result, a neutralising (desensitizing) concentration is found. This particular dilution is used under the tongue on a regular basis during the Hay Fever season. It helps the majority of patients with minimal side effects and no dangerous reactions.

Q. What are the main symptoms of Hay Fever?

A. The classical symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, itching of the palate and “hay asthma” which can occur in 15-20%.

Q. Does Hay Fever mainly occur in teenagers?

A. The incidence of Hay Fever has always been higher in teens/early adulthood but has increased in adults in recent years.

Q. How is it diagnosed?

A. It is usually obvious from the symptoms and the seasonal timing. However, diagnosis is only fully established by either scratch testing or RAST testing (blood test).

Q. What is conventional treatment for Hay Fever?

A. This consists of:

Anti histamines. These are particularly useful for itching, sneezing and watering of the eyes and nose. They are less useful for nose blockage which may respond to a short course of decongestants.
Local treatments e.g. Steroid inhalers for the nose and Opticrom for the eyes.
In the past, a high dose cortisone injection (Kenalog) has been used with some success. However, it is largely out of use due to concerns about possible side effects.

Individually selected Homeopathic Medicines and diet are also successfully used in Hay Fever.