An pressing warning has been issued to hay fever victims, as specialists urge them to keep away from buying unlicensed medication reminiscent of Kenalog on-line.
A latest survey carried out by the Nationwide Pharmacy Affiliation (NPA) revealed that 45 per cent of pharmacies have seen a rise in queries concerning the drug, which isn’t licensed to deal with hay fever within the UK.
The warning comes as pharmacies report a major rise in sufferers searching for assist for hay fever signs since early April.
Hay fever is extremely widespread. Certainly, an estimated 16 million folks undergo from the allergy within the UK, in line with the Natasha Allergy Analysis Basis.
A standard symptom of hay fever is itchy, purple or watery eyes
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Signs, which embrace sneezing and coughing; a runny or blocked nostril; itchy, purple or watery eyes; itchy throat, mouth, nostril and ears; lack of scent; ache across the sides of your head and your brow; headache; and feeling drained, will be debilitating.
Consequently, many are eager to alleviate discomfort by any means needed, particularly as they sometimes worsen between late March and September, when pollen rely is at its highest.
Nevertheless, the NPA warned that medicines from unregulated sellers reminiscent of magnificence salons and social media websites may “pose a danger” to sufferers’ security.
These medicines could possibly be “faux, swapped for different remedy” or fail to “meet UK security and high quality requirements”.
Widespread unwanted effects of Kenalog – administered by injection – can embrace “joint ache, complications, injection website reactions and elevated danger of an infection”.
Extra unusual unwanted effects embrace “severe psychological well being issues”, in line with the NPA.
The NPA careworn that hay fever signs “will be handled shortly and simply” in native pharmacies, “without having to see a GP or purchase remedy from unregulated sources”.
NPA chair Olivier Picard mentioned: “We’re urging folks to keep away from utilizing unlicensed remedies, which may pose a severe danger to their well being, and as an alternative communicate with their pharmacist about different choices for managing hay fever signs.”
“Kenalog will not be licensed within the UK for the remedy of hay fever, and we’re clear that sufferers shouldn’t search it on-line or request it from their neighborhood pharmacy,” he added.
Olivier careworn the significance of utilizing “licensed medicines”, citing antihistamine tablets, nasal sprays, and eye drops as credible choices, in dialog with the BBC.
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A runny or blocked nostril is one other symptom of hay fever
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He added that victims ought to communicate to their pharmacist about tips on how to fight signs.
The NHS has detailed steerage on hay fever, together with causes, signs, and the dos and don’ts for treating the widespread situation.
Tips on how to deal with hay fever
- Put petroleum jelly (reminiscent of Vaseline) round your nostrils to lure pollen
- Put on wraparound sun shades, a masks or a wide-brimmed hat to cease pollen entering into your nostril and eyes
- Bathe and alter your garments after you’ve gotten been exterior to scrub pollen off
- Preserve home windows and doorways shut as a lot as doable
- Vacuum usually and dirt with a humid fabric
- Attempt to use a pollen filter within the air vents of your automotive, in case you have one, and a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner
