Download July 2014 - Highley Medical Centre

Highley Forum: July 2014
Are you affected by HAY FEVER?
Hay fever, which is an allergy to pollen, is one of the most common
allergic conditions and can occur at any time between early spring and
late autumn.
It is estimated that there are more than 10 million people with hay
fever in England. Hay fever usually begins in childhood or during
PHARMACY FIRST!
the teenage years, but you can get it at any age. The condition is
more common in boys than in girls. In adults, men and women
Offered by Highley Pharmacy –
are equally affected. Hay fever is more likely if there is a family
just walk in!
history of allergies, particularly asthma or eczema.
This is a minor ailment scheme, funded by
Hay fever does not pose a serious threat to health but it can have
Shropshire CCG with the intention of
a negative impact on your quality of life. People with very bad hay
reducing the demand for appointments with
fever often find that it can disrupt their productivity at school or
GPs for simple conditions. It may be used
work.
by anyone registered with a GP, including
Many people find that their symptoms improve as they get older.
children over 3 months of age. After a short
Around half of people report some improvement in symptoms
consultation in the pharmacy the patient
after several years. In around 10%-20% of people symptoms go
away completely.
can access treatments for a range of minor
Symptoms of hay fever include:
 sneezing
 a runny nose
 itchy eyes
The pollen count is a measurement of the amount of pollen in the
air. The Met Office provides a pollen forecast as part of the
weather forecast during the spring and summer months. If the
count is over 50 you can take preventative steps such as taking a
suitable medication before leaving the house.
Some people can also experience hay fever-like symptoms when
they are exposed to other allergy-triggering substances, such as
dust mites and animal fur.
Treatment and when to seek medical advice
Most cases of hay fever can be treated using over-the-counter
medication. Your local pharmacist can advise on treatments for
you or your children. See item on the right!
You would normally only need to see your GP if:
 you can't control your symptoms with over-the-counter
medications
 you are having troublesome side effects caused by the
medication
 you are experiencing persistent complications of hay
fever, such as worsening of asthma or repeated episodes
of sinusitis
 the pattern of your symptoms is unusual, such as
occurring during the winter or only at your workplace – it is
likely that another substance other than pollen is
responsible and further testing will be required to confirm
this.
ailments without paying for the consultation
and the medication is free if you do not pay
for NHS prescriptions).
Although the scheme is set to run until
July, we are hoping that it will be
extended further into the summer. Even
if it ceases, be assured that your local
pharmacist will always be happy to give
advice and recommend treatment.
Here is a list of the type of ailments for
which you can visit the Pharmacy for advice
through the Pharmacy First scheme:
Athlete’s foot
Bacterial conjunctivitis
Cold and flu symptoms
Constipation
Diarrhoea
Earache
Haemorrhoids
Hay fever
Head lice
Insect bites and stings
Simple UTI (cystitis)
Sore throat
Teething pain
Temperature or fever
Threadworm
Toothache
Vaginal thrush
Warts and verrucas