Hay fever hell set to continue for millions of Brits

With it being the start of October tomorrow, hay fever sufferers may have thought they were in the clear by now and believe they are unlikely to have a flare-up of typical symptoms such as runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, and sneezing.

Unfortunately, there has been evidence of an emergence in Britain of the biggest US culprit for hay fever, which could mean that an estimated 18 million Brits with the condition are not out of the woods just yet. This equates to one in five of us.

The mild weather of the last few weeks has provided the perfect opportunity for common ragweed to flourish. Ragweed is a highly allergenic plant that can release a staggering one billion pollen grains within a single season.

Ragweed pollen came to European territory way back in the 1960s, contained in contaminated seed, but needs extended and mild autumns to really thrive and therefore does not usually have a massive impact in the UK. In North America though, ragweed pollen is responsible for sparking a huge number of asthma and allergy attacks.

In recent times, scientists have barely ever been able to detect the pollen in the UK’s air. However, earlier this month scientists in the East Midlands found ragweed pollen present in the air for four consecutive days, and on the third day, there more sufficient pollen to cause an onset of hay fever and asthma symptoms for those that have these conditions.

Ragweed is substantially more allergenic than grass and could prove a serious issue for those with hay fever and/or asthma if its volume continues to increase in the air. Not only that, it would mean a longer hay fever season for many, as the season commonly ends in August for a lot of people with hay fever.

Health experts have also warned asthmatics to be vigilant and make sure they always carry their asthma inhalers in case of an attack.

Deborah Waddell, lead clinical advisor at Asthma UK, last week said: “The milder weather and presence of ragweed pollen may now result in a longer pollen season this year which will cause misery for people with asthma and hay fever in the UK.

“The 79 per cent of people with asthma who find that pollen makes their symptoms worse may also be at an increased risk of a potentially life threatening asthma attack.”

Dr Catherine Pashley, who led the research in Leicester, says the plant can reach three feet in height and had most likely managed to find its way into Europe from birdseed imported from the US.
She also said that though cases of ragweed had been found in Britain previously, none of which were enough to cause of pollen problem.

Dr Pashley said: “Ragweed can’t survive in the East Midlands because of our cooler climate compared to North America and Central Europe, so we were very surprised to see it when we analysed the pollen and fungi in the air earlier this month.

“Most years we haven’t seen any at all. Some years we’ve seen one or two grains in a day. Now instead we’ve had ragweed in the air on four consecutive days and one of the days it went well above the level which is known to cause problems in people allergic to it. So that was completely unexpected. It could extend the hayfever season for people who may be allergic to it.

“Whether or not we continue to see more ragweed will very much depend on how mild this autumn is and when we have the first frost. If it is a late frost, it is likely that ragweed levels may increase this time next year.”

Medical Specialists® Pharmacy have a wide range of treatments for hay fever that can ease symptoms for sufferers, including Loratadine – a non-drowsy antihistamine which can provide relief from the symptoms of hay fever and Nasonex nasal spray – a nasal corticosteroid spray for the relief of congestion, sneezing, itching and a runny nose. Prevalin is another nasal spray that lines the inside of your nose and actually deactivates the pollen, and Alomide allergy eye drops that can bring relief from red, itchy, watery and puffy eyes if used regularly.

Warm weather causes huge spike in hay fever cases

The gloriously warm weather being experienced around the majority of the UK is great news for many. The umbrellas can be put away – albeit maybe only temporarily – and the BBQs can be brought out! Simply put, the summertime can be a wonderful time of the year for millions.

But what about those silent sufferers, the other millions of people around Britain with hay fever. Warm weather can be insufferable for the estimated 15 million Brits who are battling with repeated sneezing, runny or blocked noses, and red, itchy, watery eyes.

If there was any doubt regarding the strong association between warm weather and hay fever symptoms, that has been quashed this week upon the news that there are soaring numbers of patients in England and Wales who are seeing their GP regarding the condition.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) collected information from the second week of June that showed 11,873 people in England and Wales had to see their GP due to hay fever-type symptoms. This was an incredible 114% higher than those 5,560 who did so during the same week in 2013.

The current particularly high and brutal pollen season is expected to last until the middle of July at least, causing further suffering.

According to the RCGP, those most affected were children aged between five and 14, followed by 15 to 24-year-olds.

However, experts are already warning that hay fever could afflict many more thousands of older people, including those who have never experienced it previously. It is now fairly common for people in their 30s, 40s, 50s and even older, to be suffering with symptoms for the first time, triggered by factors such as stress, pollution and moving house.

Maureen Baker, chair of the RCGP, described how sufferers may limit the impact of hay fever.
She said: “Each year, seasonal hay fever causes untold misery to thousands of people across the country, especially when we all want to enjoy the warm weather. Hay fever is awful but the discomfort should only be temporary and there should be no long-term effects.

“Whilst in some cases it may be necessary to see a doctor, especially if the symptoms persist, there are many anti-histamine medications that can be bought over the counter at your pharmacist that should provide effective relief.

“Patients that suffer from hay fever can also take simple steps to help minimise their exposure to pollen, such as wearing a hat with a wide brim and sunglasses, and applying Vaseline to nostrils to help trap pollen particles.”

Anyone attending any of the major music events of the summer, such as Glastonbury, Wireless and the V Festival, are also being warned with these occurring in areas of high pollen hot spots.

For those festival lovers with hay fever wishing to stay clear of the hazardous areas, it might be advised to instead head to T in the Park, Bestival, or Festival No 6.

Dr Steve Iley, medical director of AXA PPP healthcare’s Health Services division, said: “Summer can be a miserable time for hay fever suffers and, for festival-goers, suffering from a runny nose and itchy eyes can really put a damper on the day.

“Festival-goers with a history of hay fever should see their GP or pharmacist before they head off to the festival to ensure they’ve got the right medication to hand.”

“In many cases, an anti-inflammatory steroid or sodium cromoglicate nose spray, starting before symptoms begin and taken regularly, along with daily eye drops and antihistamine tablets, should suffice to keep hay fever at bay.”

30 million Brits could be suffering with hay fever within 20 years

Experts are warning that increasing levels of pollution will cause large amounts of pollen to be trapped in the atmosphere, resulting in the number of hay fever sufferers in the UK doubling to reach 30 million in the next two decades.

Hay fever is also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, and already effects around 15 million people in the UK – 10 million of these in England alone. The common allergic condition can be absolute misery for those who have it, causing a variety of symptoms such as a blocked or runny nose, frequent sneezing, itchy, red, or watery eyes and headaches caused by a stuffy nose.

One in 5 Brits have to battle these despairing symptoms, with more than nine out of 10 people in the UK with hay fever are allergic to grass pollen, which usually peaks in mid-June. It is therefore no surprise that Medical Specialists™ Pharmacy have seen requests for non-drowsy antihistamines such as Cetirizine and Loratadine soar in recent weeks as patients, new and old, try to keep their symptoms managed.

However, whilst most in Britain are grateful for the recent soaring temperatures, the sunshine can spell misery for those with hay fever.

Researchers at the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit at Worcester University say that two primary factors – weather and pollution – are closely connected to the summer allergy.

They say that hay fever is found to be twice as prevalent in Britain’s towns and cities compared to the countryside, due to much larger amounts of traffic pollution, adding that ‘photochemical smog’ is produced from vehicle fumes. This smog then traps pollen in its tracks before it can escape into the upper atmosphere.

This results is to concentrate the spores where hay fever sufferers are in reach of them – at ground level.

Beverley Adams-Groom, chief pollen forecaster at the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit spoke about how the weather is also a problematic factor for those with hay fever.

She said: “Weather and pollen are closely linked. Since 2007, poor weather has meant average pollen seasons. The mild, wet weather of the late winter and early spring is responsible for increased pollen levels this year.

“This year there has been good grass growth as a result of the pre-summer climate and we are increasingly experiencing longer, more intense pollen seasons. With a dry British summer predicted there is potential for a severe hay fever season in 2014.”

The start of summer may officially only be three days away and bringing with it a potential heap of anguish for millions, but you can prepare right now by visiting the Medical Specialists™ Pharmacy asthma and allergies page where you can find a wide range of hay fever treatments like antihistamines, nasal sprays, eye drops and sinus rinses.

Air Pollution, Hay fever and the Treatment

Every year in the UK millions of people experience the discomfort and symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis, better known as hay fever. In fact, health experts say Britain currently has one of the highest rates of hay fever in the world with around a quarter of the population suffering with it.

2014 UK Air Pollution

As many will know, this week has seen many parts of the UK affected by high levels of air pollution. The smog-like conditions are a dangerous mix of dust from the Sahara with local and continental pollution. One poll conducted this week of 532 asthmatics for Asthma UK discovered that 30% have suffered an attack because of the pollution and 84% said they are using their blue reliever inhaler more frequently than usual.

Dr Keith Prowse, honorary medical adviser to the British Lung Foundation, spoke of the danger the Saharan dust and air pollution may have a “significant impact” on those with respiratory problems.
“People who use a reliever inhaler should make sure that they carry it with them. If they feel that their conditions are worsening then they should contact their GPs” he said.

According to the Defra (the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) website, those with lung and heart conditions have been told to cut down or avoid outdoor strenuous physical activity and those feeling the repercussions of pollution – including sore eyes, coughs and sore throats – are advised to reduce the amount of activity and time spent outdoors.

Hay fever symptoms and cause

Symptoms include sneezing, a blocked or runny, nose, headaches, red, itchy, or watery eyes, and are caused by an allergic reaction from pollen in the air that has been released from grasses, weeds or trees, usually during the spring and summer months. The plants produce ‘allergens’ – substances that trigger an allergic reaction.

For those unfortunately with hay fever, your body is producing immunoglobulin when you come into contact with pollen allergens and mistakes it for something harmful like a virus, your immune system overreacts and then the release of chemicals is triggered into certain cells in the eyes, nose and throat. One of the chemicals is histamine and it is this histamine which is responsible for the troublesome symptoms of hay fever.

Treatment

Prior to seeing a GP, you can speak to your local pharmacist about your symptoms as over-the-counter medicines may be able to help such as antihistamines; Loratadine is a popular non-drowsy antihistamine and can be taken as an ‘as required’ treatment when symptoms arise or as a ‘preventative’ method before you leave the house and know the pollen count is high. Non-drowsy antihistamine nasal sprays such as Prevalin can also be used to relieve the symptoms of hay fever in the nose and eyes. Alomide eye drops is another over-the-counter treatment are used to relieve the symptoms of hay fever such as red, itchy, watery and puffy eyes. The eye drops need to be used regularly to achieve relief from the symptoms. Once your symptoms improve, you should continue to use the drops regularly for as long as necessary to prevent the allergy.

There is also prescription-only corticosteroid nasal sprays such as Nasonex, which works at reducing the inflammation inside your nose after pollen has triggered an allergic reaction. Whether it’s hay fever, dust allergies or a seasonal problem, Nasonex can prevent you from suffering and allow you to enjoy life again.

All of the above treatments are available today from Medical Specialists™ Pharmacy at low prices, in addition to a wide range of asthma inhalers such as the blue reliever Ventolin Evohaler; asthma has been often linked to hay fever and both conditions need to be closely monitored and treated.

Who is at risk?

Around 2 in 10 people in the UK have hay fever, usually beginning in childhood and during the teenage years. The condition may actually disappear or improve in some cases, usually after suffering with symptoms each season for many years.

It is unclear what causes the immune system to react in the way it does to cause hay fever, but the condition tends to run in families. Your hay fever risk is also increased if you already have asthma or eczema or if you have already have hay fever, you are more likely to develop eczema or asthma.
The pollen count

The millions of people with hay fever are probably familiar with something called the pollen count, which is average number of pollen grains within one cubic metre of air over a period of 24 hours. As different people may have symptoms from certain types of pollen only, there are pollen counts for grass, tree and weed pollen and fungal spores and sufferers are usually advised to monitor weekly pollen forecasts so they can decide when it is best to begin or stop treatment. The pollen count is affected by weather and there is normally more pollen on dry, sunny days and much less pollen in the air when it is raining.

The pollen count forecast is normally judged as:

. Low: less than 30 grains of pollen in every cubic metre of air.
. Moderate: 30-49 grains of pollen in every cubic metre of air.
. High: 50-149 grains of pollen in every cubic metre of air.
. Very high: 150 or more grains of pollen in every cubic metre of air.
In the UK, the pollen count season is segregated into three sections:

. Tree pollen – late March to mid-May.
. Grass pollen – mid-May to July.
. Weed pollen – end of June to September.

This is only an approximate guide, with the pollen count season occasionally starting in January or ending as late as November.

As noted earlier, allergens may also cause asthma symptoms to flare-up such as a shortness of breath, tight chest and coughing and wheezing. There has been evidence to show a clear association between hay fever and asthma and your asthma symptoms may become more severe when your hay fever symptoms occur fever, or asthma symptoms may only flare-up when you have hay fever. People with both conditions should speak to their GP or an asthma nurse as soon as possible as it is imperative to treat both conditions with the appropriate medicines.

High temperatures cause hay fever hell for millions

Millions of hay fever sufferers endured the hottest day of the year so far, with Hurn at Bournemouth yesterday reporting temperatures of an incredible 29.7C – warmer than that of certain areas of India and the Caribbean over the weekend.

As much of the UK headed to the seaside or parks, or alternatively stayed at home to watch Andy Murray’s sensational Wimbledon triumph, perhaps little thought would have been given to the large section of the population struggling to control itchy eyes, watering noses and constant sneezing.
There are an estimated 15 million hay fever sufferers in the UK alone, and high temperatures like those witnessed over the weekend can prove chaotic and sometimes even deadly for those with allergies.

On Friday a spokesman for the Met Office warned: “Potentially we could be seeing a new maximum temperature for the year on Sunday. Some parts of the country could get 30C (86F). This will exceed the previous hottest temperature of 27.2C that was seen on June 30 at Heathrow. However, the pollen counts are going to be high and very high for most of the country over the weekend, so it is going to be quite agonising for some.”

However, the high temperatures are expected to now continue until at least the middle of July, and perhaps a lot longer. This of course follows a strangely cold spring and the wet, miserable summer witnessed last year.

The hot weather and dry, settled conditions will cause pollen levels to shoot up and result in misery for those suffering with hay fever. Due to wet, later spring this year, the warm weather now hitting the UK has resulted in a surge in plant growth. Through this week and continuing to next week, forecasters predict the pollen counts to be extremely high across the majority of the country and only the very north of Scotland will probably see any relief.

Pollen forecasts are a vital tool for anybody suffering with hay fever or other allergies, to strategise medications, treatment, and plan how best to minimise the effect of pollen on their health. The pollen count season usually runs from March to August, but can begin as early as January and end as late as November.

The pollen season is segregated into three areas:

. Tree pollen - late March to mid-May.
. Grass pollen - mid-May to July.
. Weed pollen - end of June to September.

Public health officials are now warning people to take extra precaution with the rising temperatures, with fears that the dangers go much further than just a runny nose or itchy eyes.

In fact The Local Government Association states that for each additional degree above 25C, there could be 75 more fatalities; mostly young children and the elderly. A heat wave during 2003 claimed the lives of approximately 2,000 people, and there a fears the same situation could occur a decade on.

Zoe Patrick, chair of the Local Government Association’s community wellbeing board, said: “British summers are notoriously unpredictable and so with a few sunny weeks forecast we can all look forward to enjoying the fine weather for a change. Sadly there are some people for whom the temperatures will make life a little more difficult. The hundreds of deaths caused by extreme heat each year are avoidable. Councils are determined to reduce the toll as much as possible, but they cannot do it alone. Local people can make a massive difference by helping us identify other residents who might need some advice or practical help.”

Medical Specialists Pharmacy offer a wide range of medicines  to treat allergies such as hay fever including Loratadine – a non-drowsy antihistamine which can provide relief from the symptoms of hay fever and Nasonex nasal spray – a nasal corticosteroid spray for the relief of congestion, sneezing, itching and a runny nose. Prevalin is another nasal spray that lines the inside of your nose and actually deactivates the pollen, and finally there’s Alomide allergy eye drops that can bring relief from red, itchy, watery and puffy eyes if used regularly.

Warning for hay fever sufferers with predicted record pollen levels

From this week up to 28 April it is Allergy Awareness Week and unfortunately it is today we must report that hay fever sufferers could be in for a tough time in the coming months after it has emerged that the pollen count could rise prior to June and reach its highest levels in half a century.

The fact that the UK has experienced a much longer winter has resulted in a later onset for the spring season, with an early summer expected. These factors could help to increase pollen levels to a 50-year high affecting an estimated 16 million people around the UK who suffer with allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

Hay fever symptoms are induced by the inhalation of pollen particles and by pollen managing to get into the eyes. You can get hay fever from anywhere between early spring to late summer, depending on which particular pollen(s) you have an allergy to. The common pollens that prove problematic in early spring for hay fever suffers are those that emanate from trees such as the ash, oak, silver birch, and London plane.

Health experts state that this weekend saw the pollen count spiral from a reading of zero to high and predict further huge increases until June following a bitterly cold March and early April. It is thought England will be much worse off, but Scotland is also likely to experience a pollen ‘burst’ due to a cold March delaying the pollen season by a month. Because tree pollen levels are now set to surge and this ‘phenomenon’ of tree pollen will expectedly collide with grass pollen from late May.

Professor Roy Kennedy, of the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, and one of Britain’s leading hay fever experts said: “The cold spring meant a late start for pollen with a pollen burst now in a condensed period. It means peak pollen levels early in the season – not later, as normal. The last year to see similarly early-season pollen peaks is probably in the 1960s following a cold spring such as March 1962 – or even earlier. Scotland will also see a condensed tree pollen season. Hay fever sufferers could be badly affected and need to be aware of this.”

The NHS has urged those who could be affected to use wraparound sunglasses, to have a shower after being outdoors and then change into clean clothes. Anybody who suffers from hay fever and other allergies are also commonly advised to try and remain indoors as much as possible during the period of high pollen counts and to check the latest pollen forecast with the Met Office.

For those unaware, the pollen count season is usually from March to August, although it can begin as early January and sometimes end as late as November.

The pollen season is segregated into three main areas:

. Tree pollen - late March to mid-May.
. Grass pollen - mid-May to July.
. Weed pollen - end of June to September.

Medical Specialists Pharmacy offer a wide range of medicines  to treat allergies such as hay fever including Loratadine – a non-drowsy antihistamine which can provide relief from the symptoms of hay fever and Nasonex nasal spray – a nasal corticosteroid spray for the relief of congestion, sneezing, itching and a runny nose. Prevalin is another nasal spray that lines the inside of your nose and actually deactivates the pollen, and finally there’s Alomide allergy eye drops that can bring relief from red, itchy, watery and puffy eyes if used regularly.

‘Dust mite avoidance and diet modification’ could cut childhood asthma risk

The 24-year old ‘hygiene hypothesis’ has been put into serious doubt this week after new research has suggested this theory is purely a myth.

First proposed back in 1989, the idea behind the hygiene hypothesis is that if there is childhood exposure to allergens and certain infections, this can aid the immune system’s development and teach it to differentiate between harmful and harmless substances, and thus reducing a child’s risk of developing asthma and allergies.

However, Professor Hasan Arshad, a consultant in allergy at Southampton General Hospital, has conducted a 23-year study that may somewhat discredit this theory, finding that mothers can help to massively reduce the risk of their baby developing asthma in their first year of life by avoiding certain allergenic foods and doing their best to tackle and kill house dust mites – tiny creatures that inhabit bedding, carpets, clothing and soft furnishings. It is their waste droppings and not the mite itself that triggers an allergy. House dust mite allergy is common and has been found to be linked to asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis.

Professor Arshad spoke on the study, commenting: “Although genetic links are arguably the most significant risk factor for asthma in children, environmental factors are the other critical component. Although this was a small study, we have found that the risk of developing asthma at some point during childhood is reduced by more than 50 per cent if we introduce control of a child’s environment.”

For the 23-year study, the researchers began to track 120 people born in 1990 and who had a family history of allergies – either both parents had asthma, or just one and a sibling.

It was discovered that 58 of the people in the study had either been breastfed or had drank low-allergy formula milk until they had reached the age of nine months. In addition, their mothers had not consumed any dairy products, eggs, soya, fish and shellfish and peanuts and tree nuts. For these same people, they had benefited from a vinyl bed cover at this young age and pesticides were also used to kill dust mites. Parents of the other 62 children were not so strict and did not adhere to the same principles.

Follow-up tests were carried out when the children had reached the ages of two, three, four, eight and 18. It was discovered that 11% of those in the prevention group had asthma by the time they had reached 18. However, more than a quarter (27%) of those exposed to possible allergens had developed asthma in the same time-frame.

Professor Arshad says: “By introducing a combined dietary and environmental avoidance strategy during the first year of life, we believe the onset of asthma can be prevented in the early years and throughout childhood up to the age of 18. Our finding of a significant reduction in asthma using the dual intervention of dust mite avoidance and diet modification is unique in terms of the comprehensive nature of the regime, the length of follow-up and the size of the effect observed.” He now says that a larger-scale study is required to see if a similar result pattern is achieved.

Asthma is becoming increasingly prevalent in Britain and around the world, with 5.4 million people receiving treatment for the condition in the UK alone and an estimated one in every 11 children. The ‘Asthma and Allergies’ section of the Medical Specialists Pharmacy website has a huge range of prescription and non-prescription medications that can help with problems such as asthma and hay fever – with the latter becoming more prominent in the coming months as March is the start of the pollen season, lasting up until November.

Wrinkle-busting Botox may be used to combat hay fever

Almost precisely a month ago we delivered some exciting news for 10 million hay fever sufferers in the UK and millions more around the globe when we reported how a new vaccine was in development that could directly hit the immune system, providing effective relief. This is on top of already currently available treatments such as Loratadine tablets, Nasonex nasal spray, Prevalin and Alomide allergy eye drops.

Now it seems that hay fever sufferers could be offered even more options to treat their symptoms, which occur when the immune system (the body’s defence system) overreacts to allergens, which in turn results in the release of histamine which in turn causes inflammation, itchy reddening or itchy eyes and sneezing. Although hay fever sufferers are worse hit during the spring and summer period, those who have allergic reactions to cats and dogs can find themselves in misery throughout the year when they come into contact with these animals.

The new treatment option bizarrely comes in the form of a Botox nasal gel remarkably, and now Australian scientists are currently preparing to carry out the first trial of its kind. Botox is mostly associated with celebrities who are willing to fork out thousands of pounds in their effort to beat the aging process. As well as a wrinkle-fighter, Botox may also be useful as a weapon against the inconvenient and troublesome symptoms of hay fever.

The Botox gel will be applied to the skin on your nose with the help of a cotton bud, where it will work by penetrating the skin to reach the nasal cavity. According to Philip Bardin, a professor at the Monash Medical Centre, the botulinum toxin could offer relief for hay fever sufferers by blocking nerve endings in the nasal passage, decreasing inflammation and preventing the onset of symptoms.

For the forthcoming study, Professor Bardin is optimistic about recruiting around 70 patients with hay fever and what is a common practice in these experiments; half of the subjects will receive the tested treatment (i.e. the Botox) and the other half will be given a placebo. The study is being initiated after preliminary trial earlier this year showed that the therapy does indeed provide relief from symptoms.

Here is what Professor Bardin had to say on the promising new treatment: “Botox works for three months and then its effects are broken down and the nerves regenerate. So if this works, maybe it’s gel into the nose every three months – or once a year for people who have seasonal allergic rhinitis – and, hopefully, no more sneezing.”

Dr Stephen Till from King’s College London, acknowledged the exciting breakthrough, saying: “This new vaccine is potentially applicable to far larger numbers than the existing one.”

However, the good news doesn’t end there. It seems even asthma sufferers could find themselves better off after a therapy of Botox. Professor Bardin has also released preliminary details of an experiment where a group of asthma patients with severe symptoms were injected with Botox into their larynx in an effort to alleviate muscle spasms. He claims that 80% of the asthma patients responded to the treatment and showed improve symptoms. The next step will be similar to the hay fever trial, involving a much bigger selection of patients, with both a Botox and placebo therapy being tested.

Of course, nobody knows for sure when or if Botox will be given the go-ahead for certified hay fever or asthma treatment as any potential health risks will have to be assessed first. In the meantime, Medical Specialists Pharmacy provides a huge range of products and medications to help both hay fever asthma sufferers, all at great prices. We have all of the previously mentioned hay fever treatments (Loratadine, Nasonex, Prevalin and Alomide), in addition to a huge range of asthma inhalers.

If you have already been prescribed an inhaler, have lost your inhaler, or run out and cannot get a prescription immediately, we are able to supply you an inhaler to help your asthma symptoms.   After undergoing a private and confidential online consultation with one of our Doctors, if you are suitable they will then write you a prescription which is passed to our in-house Pharmacists and dispensed to a location of your choice. This is all done discretely and within just 24 hours. We have both blue (relievers) inhalers such as Ventolin and Salbutamol, and brown (preventers) inhalers such as Qvar Beclomethasone and Qvar Easi-Breathe.

Heatwaves caused by climate change could kill 11,000 by 2080

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) have released warnings this week that paint a bleak future for our children, grandchildren, and those of us who may still be around in the year 2080. They claim that by this year, the effects of global warming could cause heat-related fatalities to rise by up to 70% in the 2020s, and then sky-rocket to an astonishing 540% by 2080.

In just 68 years’ time climate change could cause catastrophic heatwaves that will result in 11,000 deaths each year, up from the current figure of around 2,000. The people who are succumbing to high temperatures at the moment are primarily the elderly and vulnerable who may struggle to cool themselves down.

The HPA say that the old and those confined to hospital beds will find it difficult to cope by 2080 with expected temperature increases of 10C across towns and cities. It is believed that temperatures may peak at a staggering 40C (104F) in London during the summer seasons. Those with lung or heart disease are particularly at high risk.

HPA chairman Dr David Heymann spoke on the issue and said, “There is no doubt that climate change poses a wide range of challenges to public health in the UK. From increased risks of heatwaves through to potentially greater exposure to air pollution, indoors and outdoors, and potential changes to established pollen seasons, there are many issues, all of which need further research and attention if we are to adapt to or mitigate the effects.”

The ‘potential changes’ Dr Heymann refers to will have a direct impact on those with hay fever specifically who will see their suffering extended due to an earlier start to the pollen season, and it will then finish at a later month than usual. Dr Heymann continued, “We are confident that this report will provide all government departments with the further information they need to properly prioritise areas for future work and protect the UK public from the significant looming health challenges that climate change presents.”

More misery is expected for hay fever sufferers in the form of an allergenic form of pollen with more potency due to grass flowering earlier on in the year. On top on this, ragweed, a plant that emanates from the U.S., is likely to become prominent across the south in Britain. Professor Roy Kennedy of the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit has claimed that the ragweed can emit millions of pollen grains and cause a flare-up in symptoms for those with hay fever as well as asthma in people who have never even suffered with the lung condition previously.

However, it gets worse. Presently, effective medication such as Malarone is used for the prevention and treatment of Malaria, first taken 1-2 days before travelling to various tropical and subtropical countries that are at high risk of the disease. In 2080 though, the risks may be a little closer to home!

By this point, increasing temperatures may result in Brits contracting exotic illnesses in their own country as new species of mosquito carrying tropical diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya could migrate north and over to the UK, causing chaos for millions. If this occurs then Medical Specialists can expect an even bigger surge in enquiries about Malarone after already being inundated with many requests during 2012.

The HPA have now advised the government to take the warnings seriously and consider improvements in infrastructure so that all homes and hospitals are better able to manage with the soaring temperatures.

Those with hay fever are itching for the arrival of a new vaccine

Hay fever is without doubt one of the most prevalent allergic conditions in the United Kingdom, with an estimated 10 million sufferers just in England alone. Therefore it will be music to the ears of millions today to learn that scientists are developing a pioneering new vaccine that could result in sneezing and itchy eyes being a thing of the past. Ironically, the news comes in the same week that  weather experts have issued warnings that the pollen season could be extended by an additional six weeks due to the effects of global warning.

Antihistamine tablets such as Loratadine and sprays such as Nasonex provide effective relief from the bothersome symptoms that hay fever brings, but in severe cases where such treatments have not improved your condition, an allergy specialist may recommend ‘immunotherapy’. This is usually a three-year long period of injections containing high doses of the pollen you are allergic to, as a daily tablet that you put underneath your tongue, or in the form of drops.

However this current method for treating severe hay fever is incredibly expensive for the NHS, and can be massively inconvenient for the patient. It costs roughly £500 annually for the course of injections or a whopping £1,000 for a course of anti-allergy tablets or drops. Also, it is thought only about 1,000 of sufferers can benefit from these types of therapy.

The British scientists behind the breakthrough of the latest jabs claim that their ‘targeted’ approach will result in more cost-effective and efficient vaccines being made widely available. Researchers based at Imperial College London and King’s College London, carried out tests where they targeted a layer of skin in patients that they believe is a ‘hotline’ to the immune system.

As opposed to the more expensive injections, researchers based their experiments on much lower doses than before and using more shallow injections into an area of skin loaded with white blood cells (part of the immune system). The doses are about 2,000 smaller than previously and require a lot fewer injections, thus being less of a financial burden on the NHS.

Tests on 30 patients showed that their allergic reaction to grass pollen, (the most common allergen for hay fever sufferers), actually reduced over time when they were given the new low-dose vaccines. Next, a clinical trial will soon be underway involving a further 90 patients to determine if certain symptoms such as sneezing are decreased.

Dr Stephen Till, from King’s College London, spoke on the revolutionary developments and said, “This new vaccine is potentially applicable to far larger numbers than the existing one. If this approach proves to be effective it would define a new scientific and clinical principle that could also be applied to other allergic diseases such as asthma and food allergies. This could be a pivotal study in immunological research.”

Maureen Jenkins, the director of clinical services at the charity Allergy UK, also echoed Dr Till’s excitement about the new vaccine and she said, “The proposed vaccine, if successful, is much quicker and more straightforward than current immunotherapy treatment for hay fever, which takes years. It also has the potential to offer cost savings. If this series of injections proves effective in combating hay fever, it will be a wonderful step forward in tackling this common, but often underestimated allergy.”

Volvo battle against hay fever with radical new cars

Car manufacturer Volvo, already have a well-established reputation for quality cars and the company has witnessed a massive growth in the past decade especially. The Swedish company were once more known for safety above aesthetics and style, but in recent years, the manufacturers have carved themselves a fabulous reputation for good-looking, affordable cars. Now they have turned more of their attentions to the medical aspects of the vehicles.

In a bid to help the estimated 10 million people suffering from hay fever in the UK, Volvo have made the applaudable decision to include either an Air Quality System (AQS) or Pollen Filter, as standard in any model of its cars.

An AQS operates by examining the levels of particles from incoming air, via the use of an interior air quality sensor. If it detects that levels of air inside the vehicle may become hazardous to the driver (i.e. the car in front giving off toxic carbon monoxide), it can immediately shut off the air intake. This happens without the driver having to do anything whatsoever.

This revolutionary idea, combined with the pollen filters that will be equipped in the ventilation system, always guarantee the driver will be enjoying much cleaner air at all times inside his or her car in comparison to that outside the car.

Nick Connor, managing director of Volvo Car UK, spoke out on how the new technology with be advantageous to hay fever sufferers on the road and said, “Now that some warmer weather has arrived, albeit a few months late, it’s worth reminding drivers that a Volvo has been designed from the outset to keep the causes of hay fever at bay whilst in the car. As well as the health aspects of not breathing in pollen, ozone and hydrocarbons, the safety benefits associated with a driver avoiding long bouts of sneezing, whilst driving at speed on a motorway shouldn’t be underestimated. Hay fever suffering company car drivers should find particular solace in driving a Volvo.”

The good news comes at a time when the NHS Direct have recently stated they have experienced a 20% surge in extra telephone calls from those suffering with hay fever. NHS Direct also warn drivers that being on the road between 5am and 10am is the most dangerous period of the day for aggravating their hay fever symptoms due to more pollen being released from trees and grass in those five hours compared to the rest of the day.

Volvo’s pioneering move will now hopefully prove effective in increasing the safety for those drivers with hay fever, and other people on the roads. There are obvious major benefits to be seen when drivers can avoid sneezing at the wheel from the result of hay fever. Imagine if somebody had a sneezing fit from unhealthy air entering their car and triggering symptoms. It is not unthinkable to suggest that this momentary lapse in concentration may prove fatal.

What exactly is hay fever though you may ask? Well, hay fever is caused by an allergy to pollen. Usual characteristics include a runny, itchy and/or blocked nose, frequent sneezing and itchy/red/watery eyes. Whilst the symptoms of hay fever may be mild, unfortunately they can interfere with your school or work life, and effect your day to do activities, including your ability to drive. Even worse – if you have asthma, the asthma symptoms you experience may get worse when you have hay fever. Sometimes, asthma symptoms only come to prominence when you have hay fever. The best method of combating both conditions is to speak to a health professional that can help you to formulate an action plan.  This will help manage your symptoms, and avoid potential triggers.
Moreover, you should always make sure you have more than an adequate supply of important hay fever medications such as Nasonex nasal spray, Loratadine and Alomide eye drops, and for asthma – vital preventer and reliever inhalers.

Middle aged and never suffered from hay fever? Why that could change

Many of us presume that because we have reached maybe our 30’s, 40’s or 50’s and have never suffered from hay fever that we can safely assume that we will never suffer from it.

However a growing number of middle aged people who have never suffered before from an allergic reaction to pollen before, are discovering for the first time this year the misery of a constantly runny nose, itchy streaming eyes and a prickly throat that just won’t clear.

“Each year my colleagues and I see more and more middle aged men and older patients coming to our clinics for the very first time”, says Dr Suraniith Seneviratne, a consultant in clinical immunology and allergy at The Royal Free Hospital in London.

Dr Seneviratne went on to add: “The idea that allergies affect only young people is I’m afraid, a bit of a myth.” Around 26 per cent of the adult population (12million people) suffer from allergic rhinitis, a term which covers all kinds of reactions to allergens, including hay fever. However al least a third of those (more than four million) are between the ages of 45 to 65 according to research company Datamonitor Healthcare, and according to experts that is set to rise.

There are three main factors that are claimed to be behind this, with the first being our washed out summer that experts claim has created a perfect storm for hay fever.

According to Patrick Suchon health business manager at the Meteorological Office: “Grass pollen, which is thought to cause 90 per cent of all hay fever, has had a bumper season. The heavy rain has created a particularly lush crop of grasses this year and while the rain dampens down the pollen count, when it stops and the sun comes out as it did last week; the pollen count goes very high, very quickly, as the plants make the most of the sunshine. Another issue is that because of the wet damp weather, mould spores which come from fungi such as mushrooms and decaying vegetation, which usually don’t appear until very late summer and early autumn, are being released early.”

The second factor claimed to be behind developing hay fever late in life is the fact that our immune system can start to show signs of wear and tear as we get older. As we get older our immune system can start to become compromised by illness, long term stress or simply through ageing.

Lindsey McManus, deputy chief executive of the charity Allergy UK says: “A weak immune system doesn’t mean you will get hay fever, but it could mean that you are more susceptible to it. We hear from people for whom hay fever becomes a problem after a severe illness or a run of nasty viruses or bugs.”

According to Professor Roy Kennedy of the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, the third reason causing people to develop hay fever later on in life is the introduction of new allergens.
Professor Kennedy explains: “There are a lot of new species of plant being introduced in the UK. For example ragweed, which came from America and is now spreading throughout Europe, is a highly allergic plant producing very high rates of pollen. Added to this ragweed produces more pollen in wet years.”

There are a number of medicines available to treat hay fever including Loratadine, a non-drowsy antihistamine which can provide relief from the symptoms of hay fever, Nasonex nasal spray which is a nasal corticosteroid spray for the relief of congestion, sneezing, itching and a runny nose. Prevalin is another nasal spray that lines the inside of your nose and actually deactivates the pollen, and finally there’s Alomide allergy eye drops that can bring relief from red, itchy, watery and puffy eyes if used regularly.

Medical Specialists is an online pharmacy established since 1994 that can provide prescription hay fever medication such as Nasonex, following a simple online consultation with one of our in house Doctors. Our resident Pharmacists will then dispense and post out your medications for next day delivery.

Following the recent expansion of our chemist shop, we now offer the previously mentioned products; Prevalin allergy nasal spray, Prevalin allergy kids nasal spray and Alomide allergy eye drops, which can all help to ease the symptoms of hay fever.

Women heavily using fake tan risk fertility complications and birth defects

In a country such as England where the usual weather is dark, gloomy and rain-filled, the chance of developing a natural tan is rather slim. It is now a common occurrence for many men and women to resort to using sunbeds and fake tanning products to achieve the bronzed appearance that so many desire.

The dangers of heavy sunbed use have been widely reported in the news in recent years, with excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation being responsible for an increasing number of young adults being diagnosed with both malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.

Fake tanning products have long been viewed as the safe option for women to use to avoid the risks with sunbeds; however these products may not be as completely safe as first thought.

In fact, the chemicals used in fake tan are so hazardous that they are now being linked to fertility problems and also increasing the chance of women giving birth to a baby with birth defects.

Just one of the types of these chemicals is carcinogens including formaldehyde and nitrosamines. A carcinogen is a substance or agent that is directly responsible for inducing cancer within humans and animals. They are particularly rife in cigarettes which could partly explain why tobacco smoke has been shown to also cause birth defects if the baby’s mother smokes during pregnancy, with a cleft lip or skull abnormality just two problems that could occur.

As well as carcinogens, it is believed that fake tan comprises of other harmful chemicals and skin irritants that may cause allergies to worsen, which is not good news for the millions of hay fever sufferers in the UK who are already suffering with the unexpected warm weather this week.

Elizabeth Salter-Green from UK charity the Chem Trust, says, “Many of the chemicals in fake tan are toxic to reproduction and can harm a foetus.” Jacqueline McGlade, executive director of the European Environment Agency, further spoke about the dangers of fake tan and said they could be a contributing factor responsible for the surge in cases of cancers, diabetes, obesity and falling fertility.

The primary ingredient in the fake tanning products is the chemical compound dihydroxyacetone. The chemical works with the skin’s amino acids to transform the colour to brown. However, once sprayed there is a risk of the person inhaling the substance and it going straight into the bloodstream.

Scientists in the US now claim that this could result in DNA damage, tumours, and the aggravation of numerous lung conditions such as emphysema and asthma. Dr Lynn Goldman dean of the School of Public Health and Health Services at George Washington University, in Washington DC, says, “What we’re concerned about is not so much that reaction that creates the tanning, but reactions that may occur deeper down with living cells that might then change DNA, causing a mutation, and what the possible impacts of that might be.”

The New York childhood asthma rate is more than US national average

Statistics released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that an average of one in eight New York City children have been diagnosed with asthma. This means that the prevalence rate is higher than the US national average for childhood asthma, which is currently about one in ten.

Thomas Matte, assistant commissioner for environmental surveillance and policy, commented on the findings and said, “New York City’s rate on average is higher, but then within the city we know the rate varies dramatically. Our rate is really pulled up by the high rates in poor neighbourhoods.”

Matte gives his opinions on why this is so, and says that households with lower income will probably have more possible asthma triggers such as mould, pest infestations, and the chemicals in cigarette smoke can irritate the lungs. The links between tobacco smoke and lung conditions such as asthma is a topic Medical Specialists Pharmacy previously reported earlier this year, and we advise that asthma suffers must have their reliever inhaler in their possession at all times, especially when there is a risk of being in the presence of somebody who smokes.

He further advises that written instructions for children and parents would be an effective method of managing their asthma.  According to the CDC survey, only one in three children using medication for asthma was actually doing this.

It is calculated that children residing in East Harlem are almost 13 times more likely to require asthma-related hospital treatment in comparison to counterparts living in the Upper East Side. The same report claims that 18% of Hispanic children and 17% of black children have been diagnosed with asthma, and just 5% of white children.

Dr Joshua Needleman, a paediatric pulmonologist at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, says Doctors are already aware of the trends that the report highlights, saying, “You find asthma all over the place, but the kids in the poor areas is where you see the most burden.”

With soaring temperatures currently gripping the US, child and adult asthma sufferers in both poor and wealthy areas will no doubt see their symptoms worsen, and this will apply to those who have hay fever too. Days with high humidity or pollution can especially cause problems for asthma sufferers and this can be dangerous if left untreated. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) have said, “Although symptoms may not always be severe, summertime allergies and asthma are serious and, in some cases, deadly.”

At Medical Specialists Pharmacy we offer our patients a huge range of medications to help both asthma and allergy sufferers, all at great prices. If you have already been prescribed an inhaler, have lost your inhaler, or run out and cannot get a prescription immediately, we are able to supply you an inhaler to help your asthma symptoms. After undergoing a private and confidential online consultation with one of our Doctors, if you are suitable they will then write you a prescription which is passed to our in-house Pharmacists and dispensed to a location of your choice. We have both blue (relievers) inhalers such as Ventolin and Salbutamol cheaper than the NHS, and brown (preventers) inhalers such as Qvar Beclomethasone, Qvar Easi-Breathe and Pulvinal Beclomethasone.

An effective treatment for allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is Nasonex nasal spray. Available with or without a prescription, Nasonex is a medication used to help with congestion, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and nasal itching due to allergies. It is also prescribed for nasal polyps (small, non-cancerous growths on the lining inside the nose). Prices of this medication are from as little as £9.98 per pack. Our chemist shop has now been expanded to include products such Prevalin allergy nasal spray, Prevalin allergy kids nasal spray and Alomide allergy eye drops, which can all help to ease the symptoms of hay fever.

Hay fever sufferers are warned that pollen levels will continue to rise well into August

It seems the millions of hay fever sufferers in the UK cannot catch a break. Last month warnings were given that weather conditions could trigger attacks, and now further subsequent fluctuating weather is set to drag on the pollen season for another month according to weather experts.  At Medical Specialists Pharmacy we have already witnessed a recent surge in sales of products such as Nasonex, Prevalin and Loratadine, as sufferers rush for help in combating the irritating and troublesome symptoms that include red and itchy eyes, sneezing and a runny nose.

Since the beginning of spring we have seen rather odd fluctuations in weather. Back in March the country had a few weeks of blazing sunshine which resulted in the triggering of symptoms for the 16 million sufferers in the UK. Therefore, one could assume that the recent heavy rain fall would mean peace and quiet for those who have hay fever. Unfortunately though, this is not the case it seems. High levels of rainfall have resulted in flowers and grasses flourishing, resulting in extra pollen being generated. In fact June has been so rain-filled that provisional data indicates this has been the wettest June since records began in 1910, and the coldest in 21 years.

During the rare few days when the temperature has been quite high, pollen has proceeded to rise in the air and then circulated about after the wind picks up. NHS Direct say they have received 20% more enquiries from hay fever sufferers since the beginning of June and unfortunately weather experts have warned sufferers that although grass pollen (the most common allergy) usually peaks in July, this year it could last well into August.  In addition, The Health Protection Agency has noted that more and more people are complaining about eye problems in relation to allergies, and that this seems to be more prevalent in children. One particularly product that has been shown to help relieve these symptoms is Alomide Allergy Eye Drops, which due to high levels of interest, Medical Specialists Pharmacy have recently added to its huge range of products.

Beverley Adams-Groom is the chief palynologist at the National Pollen Research Unit at the University of Worcester and she has spoken out on the bizarre weather that has swept the country, “We are getting a lot of intermittent rainy days that are sending the pollen counts up and down at the moment. We can expect this very changeable weather to extend the pollen season. We can see a continued risk for a long time yet, probably into the beginning of August.”

The Met Office provides daily updates in regards to pollen forecasts, and health business manager Philip Sachon further explained the problems for hay fever sufferers and gave advice, saying, “All the rain we have had can help to suppress the pollen count in the short term by washing it out of the air but it does mean everything gets growing really well. On the warmer dry days it will mean the pollen counts will get quite high. We are going to continue seeing high and possibly very high pollen counts on any nice sunny days. If we continue to get good growth in weeds as well, there will be a lot of high pollen from them too. The coast is a good place to go for some respite as the wind comes off the sea and tends to carry less pollen. So on days when the pollen count is high, it is a good day to head to the beach.”

Misery expected for hay fever sufferers

Those who suffer from hay fever are set for a miserable week, with pollen levels ready to sharply rise due to the unexpected warm weather that has suddenly hit the UK after a massive rain-filled previous month. Grass pollen in particularly will be most prevalent at the moment, and this will effect roughly 95% of the people who unfortunately suffer from hay fever. The Met Office has created a ‘pollen calendar’ on their website, which lists the different types of pollen and when they are at their peak. According to this calendar, grass pollen peaks in June and July, lasting from May until September.

Charlie Powell, Met Office spokesman, commented on the ever-changing weather situation,  “The recent unsettled weather has kept pollen levels to a low count but the drier conditions will push them up into higher levels. With grass pollen at the moment being at its peak, we could see some high pollen counts.”

The current problems for those who have hay fever mirrors the situation that occurred in March this year, where Medical Specialists Pharmacy reported in detail just how the several unexpected weeks of soaring temperatures caused havoc for the approximate 16 million people in the UK who suffer from hay fever, and also analysed the links between hay fever and asthma.
Today has been predicted to see the warmest conditions so far in June, with temperatures expected to peak to as high as 23C (73F) in London. Moreover, experts say that pollen levels could be at an incredibly high level on Wednesday and Thursday, where pollen levels are estimated to be particularly high in the East and West Midlands. Sales of over the counter medication such as Loratadine are expected to sky rocket in the coming days, as millions try to keep their symptoms under control.

Patrick Sachon, health manager at the Met Office, further added to Powell’s comments,  ”Following the rain we saw in April and the rain over the last few weeks, grass has grown well, more than last year, when it was much drier. This is therefore expected to cause higher levels of grass pollen than last year. The Met Office forecast for the next couple of days is for the UK to be drier and a little more settled that of late in most areas. Occasional showers are likely but with plenty of bright or sunny spells and temperatures in the high teens or low twenties in some parts. This will lead to much higher pollen counts than in recent weeks. This means that those who suffer from hay fever will need to keep an eye on the pollen count over the next few days.”

In May Medical Specialists Pharmacy managing director David Bailey spoke out about the range of options available to treat the condition and how the company had expanded its product range since the March heat wave, saying, “Since then we have expanded our rapidly growing range of medications, and now offer Prevalin allergy nasal spray, Prevalin allergy kids nasal spray and Alomide allergy eye drops. All three can help with the symptoms of hay fever, along with our highly requested Ventolin Evohaler, which we sell cheaper than the NHS. With over 10million sufferers in the UK alone, we are determined to help our patients manage their hay fever and live a stress and pain-free life”.

Antihistamine and probiotic therapy could treat allergic rhinitis

A study conducted by the Chung Shan Medical University Hospital in Taichung, Taiwan, has found that supplementing the antihistamine ‘levocetirizine’ together with the probiotic ‘Lactobacillus johnsonii EM1 (Lj EM1), helped to lessen the symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis. Antihistamines are a particular group of medicines that aid in alleviating the problems caused by a number of other conditions as well as allergic rhinitis, such as hay fever, eczema, and allergic conjunctivitis.

The Taiwanese study involved the tracking of 63 schoolchildren for a 1 year period. The subjects were aged between 7 and 12 years old, and all were suffering from moderate to severe perennial allergic rhinitis. The study has been published in the July issue of the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, and was carried out by conducting a 2-phase crossover trial that compared how effective levocetirizine was by itself, against the use of the anhistamine together with the probiotic Lj EM1.

All children were chosen at random to receive either just the antihistamine, or that supplemented with the probiotic. After 12 weeks of being on a particular course of treatment, every child was switched over to the other one and were again monitored for a 12-week time period.

Daily activity diaries were kept for each child and a ‘total symptom score’ was adopted to assess the 4 nasal and 5 nonnasal symptoms for the children each day, working on a 4-point scale from 0 to 3, with 0 being no symptoms and 3 being most severe. The TSS was the combined count of all 9 symptoms. How well each child slept every night was also noted, again scoring from 0 to 3.

In the first 12-week period, a TSS improvement was evident in both groups after 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Interestingly though however, a more effective response was seen in the children who were taking both the antihistamine and probiotic at weeks 4, 8 and 12. Those just taking antihistamines were said to have shown improvement ‘continually and progressively’ in the second 12-week stage of the study, whereas the others did not.

Researchers have now come to the conclusion that probiotics may be effective for treating early-stage allergic disease through an alteration of the inflammatory response and immunity. It is still unclear yet if probiotics can help allergic airway diseases such as asthma and hay fever, and experts have called for more studies on this.

One effective treatment for allergic rhinitis is Nasonex nasal spray. Available with or without a prescription, Nasonex is a medication used to help with congestion, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and nasal itching due to allergies. It is also prescribed for nasal polyps (small, non-cancerous growths on the lining inside the nose). Prices of this medication are from as little as £9.98 per pack.

We also have a massive range of asthma inhalers, such as Ventolin Evohaler, which we sell cheaper than the NHS. If you have already been prescribed an inhaler, have lost your inhaler, or run out and cannot get a prescription immediately, we are able to supply you an inhaler to help your asthma symptoms. We offer both blue (relievers) inhalers such as Ventolin and Salbutamol, and brown (preventers) inhalers such as Qvar Beclomethasone, Qvar Easi-Breathe and Pulvinal Beclomethasone. We are constantly looking to increase our vast range of products and treatments, and recently expanded our chemist shop to include Prevalin allergy nasal spray, Prevalin allergy kids nasal spray and Alomide allergy eye drops, which can all help to ease the symptoms of hay fever.

During their life the average Briton will suffer over 9,000 ailments

The Benenden Healthcare Society have published the results of a survey that shows the average Brit suffers with accident or illness approximately 9,672 times during their life. This includes various conditions such as an upset stomach, headache, shaving cuts and backache. The survey quizzed 2,000 Brits and one in four of those described themselves as ‘accident prone’. Half admitted to having hit their head at some point in their life whilst getting out of the car. Furthermore, a quarter also said they had suffered a bite from their pet or had stood onto a plug.

From the survey, it seems we can expect to experience a sore throat on 3 occasions each year along with 4 cricked necks and 4 episodes of heartburn.  If this isn’t bad enough, we will roughly have 6 cases of upset stomach, 5 cramps and cut ourselves 5 times. This equates to some form of injury or pain once every 3 days. In addition, during our lifetime, we can look forward to a tripping or falling over a whopping 234 times, have 156 blisters and have a nosebleed 78 times.

A member of the Benenden Healthcare Society, Lawrence Christensen, commented on the survey, “Even without the threat of serious health conditions, the average human body takes an awful battering day to day, which demonstrates why life just isn’t designed to be easy. Whilst it’s unnecessary to suddenly develop a hypochondriac attitude to life, be sure to visit your GP if you do feel you are experiencing higher than average occurrences of ailments such as sore throats, stomach upsets and back pain.” Mr Christensen further added he would advise everybody to maintain good posture, wash hands regularly, eat healthily and engage in plenty of exercise.

At Medical Specialists Pharmacy, we strive to make life that little bit easier for you.  We have a massive range of products that can help you with many things such as erectile dysfunction, asthma, acne, premature ejaculation, sexual health and many more.  As we mentioned last week, we understand that the hot weather the UK is currently experiencing can be detrimental to asthma and allergy sufferers in particularly, so don’t delay in obtaining your inhalers, such as Ventolin Evohaler, which we sell cheaper than the NHS. If you have already been prescribed an inhaler, have lost your inhaler, or run out and cannot get a prescription immediately, we are able to supply you an inhaler to help your asthma symptoms. We offer both blue (relievers) inhalers such as Ventolin and Salbutamol, and brown (preventers) inhalers such as Qvar Beclomethasone, Qvar Easi-Breathe and Pulvinal Beclomethasone. Our constantly expanding product range now also includes Prevalin allergy nasal spray, Prevalin allergy kids nasal spray and Alomide allergy eye drops, which can all help to combat hay fever.