If you’re searching for hay fever injections, you’re usually looking for one thing: strong relief when tablets and sprays aren’t cutting it. The catch is that the most talked-about “hay fever jab” is a long-acting steroid injection that affects your whole body, not just your nose and eyes.
This article explains what it is, what UK guidance says, the real pros and cons, and safer options you can try first.
The short answer
A steroid injection may reduce symptoms for some people, but it isn’t routinely recommended for hay fever in UK guidance because the risk–benefit balance is poor compared with other treatments.
What people mean by “hay fever injection”
Most people mean an intramuscular depot corticosteroid injection (often discussed online as “Kenalog” / triamcinolone). It releases steroids into your system over weeks.
Important UK context:
- Kenalog is not licensed as a hay fever treatment, and prescription-only medicines must not be advertised to the public in the UK.
Why some people want it
Usually because:
- Symptoms are severe and ongoing (sleep, work, driving, school)
- They’ve tried over-the-counter antihistamines but still feel blocked up
- They want something “one and done” for the season
That’s understandable. But convenience isn’t the same as best medical choice.
What UK guidance recommends first
A stepwise approach generally starts with:
- Regular steroid nasal spray (used correctly and consistently)
- Non-drowsy antihistamines for sneezing/itching
- Considering combination nasal treatments if symptoms persist
A key point: nasal sprays often work best when used daily and with good technique, not just “now and then”.
Potential benefit of a steroid injection
- Convenience: one injection may give temporary relief for some people during pollen season.
That’s the main upside.
Risks and downsides you should know
Because it’s systemic (whole-body) steroid, possible side effects include:
- Sleep disturbance and mood changes
- Increased appetite
- Raised blood pressure or blood sugar
- Higher infection risk
Rare but serious harms are also a concern with systemic steroid exposure, which is one reason UK guidance generally advises against routine use for hay fever.
Safer alternatives to try before you consider anything “strong”
If your current plan isn’t working, these are the usual next steps to discuss with a GP/pharmacist:
- Confirm you’re using nasal spray daily and correctly
- Switch to, or add, an intranasal antihistamine (often more effective than adding an oral one)
- Add saline rinses to reduce allergen load
- If symptoms are truly severe and time-limited, some guidance allows short courses of oral steroids in specific situations (medical decision only)
For longer-term control (especially if hay fever is severe every year), ask about allergy assessment and whether immunotherapy is appropriate.
A quick decision guide
A steroid hay fever injection is usually a poor fit if you:
- Have diabetes, high blood pressure, glaucoma, osteoporosis risk, or infection concerns
- Want “zero risk” seasonal relief
- Haven’t properly tried regular nasal steroids + optimised treatment first
Optimising standard treatment is usually the best next step if you:
- Mainly have blocked nose and congestion
- Use sprays only occasionally
- Haven’t tried combination nasal options
When to get medical advice
Speak to a clinician if:
- Symptoms are affecting sleep, work, driving, or asthma control
- You’ve tried daily nasal steroid + antihistamine and still struggle
- You’re considering any steroid injection or oral steroid option
You’ll get the safest outcome when someone reviews your symptoms, medical history, and risk factors — rather than choosing based on online trends.