The Truth About the Hay Fever Injection: Why Depo Kenalog Isn’t the Answer.
For many hay fever sufferers, spring and summer bring more than sunshine – they bring sneezing, itchy eyes, and relentless discomfort.
In the past, some turned to the hay fever injection, commonly known as Depo Kenalog, for relief. But despite its popularity, this treatment is no longer recommended by the NHS.
So why did our advice change – and what else can we do?
What Is the Hay Fever Injection?
The hay fever injection contains triamcinolone acetonide, a powerful corticosteroid, and its brand name is “Kenalog”. It works by suppressing the immune system, reducing inflammation and allergic responses. Administered as a single intramuscular injection, it was once seen as a convenient “quick fix” for severe hay fever symptoms.
Why the NHS No Longer Recommends It
The NHS stopped offering Kenalog injections for hay fever due to serious safety concerns and a lack of robust evidence supporting its long-term effectiveness [1] [2]:
- Immune suppression:
The injection weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of infections like flu, shingles, and chickenpox [3]. - Systemic side effects:
These include weight gain, mood changes, insomnia, high blood pressure, and even osteoporosis with repeated use. - Unpredictable duration:
Relief may last weeks or months, but the effects are inconsistent and can’t be reversed once injected. - Better alternatives exist:
Modern treatments offer safer, more targeted symptom control without the systemic risks.
Common Myths About the Hay Fever Injection
- “It’s the only thing that works for me.”
Many people haven’t tried all available treatments or combinations. - “It’s safe because it’s just once a year.”
Even a single dose can cause serious side effects. - “It’s banned because of cost.”:
The decision was based on clinical safety, not expense. It is actually a very cheap medication
What You Can Use Instead
There are many effective, evidence-based treatments for hay fever that are safer and widely available:
- Oral Antihistamines
- Examples: Cetirizine, Loratadine, Fexofenadine – these help reduce sneezing, itching, and runny nose
- Often when people buy them over the counter they are not able to take at maximum doses or in prescription only formulations like we can at Stonegate Medical Clinic.
- Nasal Corticosteroid Sprays
- Examples: Beclometasone, Fluticasone, Mometasone – these reduce inflammation in the nasal passages
- Often people do not know about the maximum doses and length of time needed to get success with these medications, with some only available on prescription.
- Antihistamine Eye Drops
- Relieve itchy, watery eyes
- Oral steroid tablets
- Example: prednisolone – these reduce inflammation in the nasal passages and elsewhere in the body generally
- Experienced GP’s, like our team at Stonegate medical Clinic, know that we can still give short courses of steroid tablets to achieve many of the benefits of the Hayfever injection – but with far less of the risks.
- Barrier Methods
- Vaseline around nostrils, wraparound sunglasses, staying indoors during high pollen counts
- Immunotherapy (Allergy Desensitisation)
- Available via specialist referral
- Involves gradually exposing the body to pollen to build tolerance. At Stonegate Medical Clinic we can see you quickly and get a referral sent off to these specialists that same day.
Final Thoughts
While the hay fever injection may seem like a miracle cure, it comes with significant risks that outweigh the benefits for most people. At Stonegate Medical Clinic we always follow the best evidence for the most effective care. Whilst we do not encourage the Hayfever injection, we have an army of other options we can deploy to help make summer bearable.
References
[1] The Controversy of Hay Fever Injections: Why the NHS Discontinued Kenalog
[2] The pros and cons of the hay fever injection – Patient
[3] The Controversy Around Hay Fever Injections: Why the NHS Stopped …