Urgent warning over popular hay fever remedy that's causing patients to go BLIND
Hay fever sufferers were today warned against buying unlicensed jabs from private clinics over terrifying health risks that could leave patients blind.
The powerful prescription-only drug Kenalog suppresses the immune system, dampening the allergic reaction hay fever sufferers experience. Its effects can last months.
But the injection was phased out of NHS use around a decade ago after safety watchdogs decided its risks outweighed the benefits.
Yet, National Pharmacy Association (NPA) chiefs, which represents more than 6,000 UK pharmacies, have now warned chemists have seen a dramatic uptick in patients seeking advice on how to get the drug.
The jabs can involve worrying side effects such as abdominal pain, vision loss, shortness of breath and bone pain.
It can also leave people vulnerable to other infections, including chickenpox and shingles and potentially cause irregular heartbeats, depression and high blood pressure.
But more worrying are the risks of taking a medication that isn't what is says it is.
While people can legally get Kenalog privately, NPA officials are concerned that unregulated sellers like salons and beauty clinics could also be selling fake Kenalog.
Clinics are banned from promoting any prescription-only medications under UK advertising rules.
However, MailOnline also found salons and beauty clinics from across the UK advertising Kenalog steroid injections as a hay fever remedy on Instagram for between £50 and £75.
The NPA survey, carried out earlier this month, gathered responses from more than 350 pharmacies.
Some 45 per cent said they had received queries from patients on how to obtain Kenalog as a hay fever treatment, while almost all (96 per cent) had seen a significant rise in people seeking help for the condition since April.
NPA chair Olivier Picard, told MailOnline: 'Kenalog is not licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK for the treatment of hay fever symptoms.
'This means that if a patient is accessing Kenalog, there is a risk it is through an unregulated source, such as a beauty salon or a seller from an abroad instead of regulated pharmacy.
'The drug has a number of side effects, including joint pain and increased risk of infection and in more rare and serious cases it can cause mental health issues.
'We are urging patients who are struggling with hay fever symptoms to avoid Kenalog and instead to use a regulated community pharmacy, who can treat the symptoms easily and safely.'
He added: 'Medication from unregulated sellers could be fake, swapped for an alternative medication and not meet rigorous safety standards we have in the UK.
'If people are unsure about medication bought online, they should check with their pharmacist.'
Research has shown Kenalog injections can cause vision loss by increasing pressure inside the eye damaging the optic nerve, like other steroids.
Vision loss can also occur via accidental injection into blood vessels, with the likelihood of this happening rising among unqualified injectors.
Kenalog is the brand name for triamcinolone acetonide and is a steroid injection.
It is licensed as a medicine for a number of conditions such as joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthrosis, though not for the treatment of hay fever.
Last summer, UK health chiefs issued a joint enforcement notice about the advertising of Kenalog injections on social media, which was welcomed by health bodies and charities including Allergy UK.
The MHRA alongside the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) warned any ads found to include text or images promoting the jabs would be banned.
Even including a syringe emoji would be a breach of the law.
At the time, Shahriar Coupal, the director of CAP, said: 'Our enforcement notice, published jointly with the MHRA, makes it abundantly clear that Kenalog, as a prescription-only-medicine, should not be directly or indirectly advertised to the public.'
He added: 'Our rules apply across media, but we are particularly concerned about the prevalence of Kenalog injection advertising on social media.'
MailOnline, however, today found several clinics — most of which specialised in cosmetic treatments — still promoting Kenalog for as little as £50.
One aesthetics clinic, based just outside of Doncaster, advertised £60 jabs on Instagram.
'One injection can suppress the body's immune response to histamine for up to three months,' it said.
WHAT IS KENALOG AND WHY WAS IT PULLED FROM NHS?
What is Kenalog?
Kenalog is a steroid injection used to treat hay fever.
The jab, usually administered to the buttocks, contains triamcinolone — a corticosteroid hormone.
Rather than curing hay fever, it is a blunt tool that works by suppressing the body's immune response, so that symptoms are alleviated.
One injection may be enough for hay fever sufferers to get through the year but others may need a booster dose two weeks after the first.
As well as hay fever, the drug is used to treat arthritis, gout and skin diseases.
Why did the NHS stop offering Kenalog?
The jabs were routinely given to severe hay fever sufferers until around a decade ago.
But guidelines found their side effect risk was too high, compared to the benefits of the jab.
It was found to leave people vulnerable to other infections like chicken pox, shingles or the flu, and cause serious side effects like irregular heartbeats, depression and high blood pressure.
Another, in Kent offered the medication for £70.
'Hayfever injections can enhance your complexion and restore confidence, allowing you to enjoy the seasons without the discomfort of allergies,' they wrote.
The NPA has also now urged regulators to reintroduce rules that made it mandatory for a list of regulated online UK medicine sellers to be made publicly available.
Previous EU rules required this to happen, but these were scrapped when the UK left the EU.
Medical professionals have long urged the millions of Brits who suffer from bad hay fever, as well as asthma and other lung issues, to take precautions, including taking regular medication, always carrying their inhaler and call 111 if their symptoms get worse.
Patients are advised to visit their local pharmacy for quick and safe treatments to relieve their symptoms.
The NHS also recommends people put Vaseline around their nostrils to trap pollen, wear wrap-around sunglasses to stop pollen getting in the eyes and shower and change clothes after being outside to wash pollen off.
Unlike a cold, which normally goes away within a week, hay fever can last for weeks or months.
Symptoms begin when immune cells mistakenly identify pollen proteins as a threat and make antibodies that trigger chemicals called histamines.
These make the blood vessels dilate, prompting the release of fluid from capillaries, triggering a runny nose, sneezing and weeping eyes.
While not life-threatening itself, tens of thousands of hay fever sufferers also have asthma, which can flare-up during pollen bombs. Asthma attacks can be fatal.
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This is an ideal first racket, pairing a comfortable fibreglass head with a durable carbon fibre frame that will have him dominating the court in no time. Alpkit Mora hammock £44.99 at Alpkit£44.99 at Amazon A night under the stars is a dream scenario for outdoorsy dads, and this compact hammock will let him live out his fantasy. It doesn't require a frame – instead, its straps are secured between tree trunks – and so wherever there's woodland, there's a place to rest his head. Montane Dart T-shirt £30 at Go Outdoors£30 at Montane An adaptable base layer should be a staple of any fitness-focused father's workout wardrobe, and this all-season option from Montane can handle any outdoor pursuit. As well as keeping him comfortable and dry when running and hiking, it will benefit you too – the fabric is treated with an odour control that should keep BO at bay. Soup, Salads, Sandwiches by Matty Matheson £22.50 at the Guardian Bookshop£19.94 at Amazon Everyone's favourite side character from The Bear is a real-life restaurateur and chef, and his latest cookbook focuses on the holy trinity of lunchtime fare. While his twists on the classics go big on flavour, they're approachable too – even your family's designated pot washer could rustle up a spread in no time. John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs by Ian Leslie £22.50 at the Guardian Bookshop£19.05 at Amazon You don't have to be a fanatic fan of the Fab Four to find Ian Leslie's biography of Lennon and McCartney spellbinding. The book documents the pair's meeting in 1957 through to Lennon's murder in 1980, and highlights how their songwriting and storytelling shaped the modern world. Gabriel's Moon by William Boyd £8.49 at the Guardian Bookshop£6 at Amazon Espionage? Tick. Cold war? Tick. Secrets and betrayals? Tick. William Boyd's latest completes the spy novel full house and is a fun page-turner set in 1960s London, Cádiz and Warsaw that will appeal to fans of Le Carré and Slow Horses' Mick Herron. Is a River Alive? By Robert Macfarlane £21.25 at the Guardian Bookshop£25 at Waterstones Robert Macfarlane's most political book yet, Is a River Alive? sees the nature writer weave a compelling narrative that focuses on the health of the world's waterways in his signature style – blending in-depth research with his first-hand experiences in far-flung locations such as Ecuador, India and Quebec. Mubi Go From £18.99 a month at Mubi This streaming service celebrates indie, foreign and classic cinema and includes curated collections that take the endless scrolling out of selecting a film. Opt for a Go membership to get a ticket to a selected screening at a cinema and time of his choice. OS Maps £34.99 a year at Ordnance Survey That dog-eared Ordnance Survey map collection is now available in the palm of his hand. As well as every bridleway, byway and footpath, it includes ready-made routes by the likes of the Good Pub Guide and the ability to plot his own. A live location icon should make navigation easier too … Wine Garden of England vouchers From £32 at Wine Garden of England Kent has established itself as the home of English wine, and its south-facing slopes contain thousands of rows of vines. This voucher can be used to book tours and tastings or buy products from several of the region's best vineyards, and you're guaranteed to get a 20% discount minimum on its total value. Simply Cook subscription From £30 for three boxes at Simply Cook A meal kit for those who aren't afraid of slicing, dicing and sourcing ingredients, the Simply Cook subscription takes care of the finishing flourishes that will revolutionise midweek meals. Each pack includes three pots that vary from pastes, rubs, spice blends and marinades and a simple sub-30-minute recipe. Oddbox subscription From £11.49 a week at Oddbox Do your bit for the planet and your Pops's palate with a wonky but fresh fruit and veg box. The subscription saves excess or incorrectly shaped produce from ending up as food waste, filling a fridge and fruit bowl on a weekly or fortnightly basis with scrumptious seasonal fare. Mango pocket linen shirt £49.99 at Mango£49.99 at Asos When the hot weather hits, your dad will be thanking you for this linen shirt. It's comfortable. It's breathable. It's even naturally anti-bacterial, so it will stay fresher for longer. Linen tends to look better when it's relaxed and billowy, so we'd recommend sizing up. Falke Happy Box three-pack of socks £25 at Falke£24.95 at Amazon Let's face it: every guy likes being given socks – especially when they're by Falke. The German brand is known for creating underpinnings that are engineered for unrivalled comfort and minimal design, and they're all made using premium textiles, too. This multipack comes in a box, making for an even better gift. Arket ripstop swim shorts £37 at Arket£37 at Asos Most high-street stores' men's swimwear tends to look relatively basic – but Arket's is a step above the rest. These shorts, for example, are constructed from a sheeny ripstop that looks far more expensive than the £37 retail price. Sekonda Evans men's watch £34.99 at Sekonda£35 at Next Quiet luxury is still very much on the menswear agenda, so it makes sense that understated watches are a hot topic in the horology world in 2025 – and since they're timeless, they're a good investment for the future, too. This gold-alloy-leather-bracelet combo fits the brief perfectly. Montbell pocketable ripstop light tote £49 at End Clothing Montbell's tote puts functionality first – from the side mesh pocket that fits a water bottle to the packable design – but there are subtle details that set it apart from your average nylon bag, namely the minimal logo, rich navy hue, structured bottom and zipper closure with a contrast toggle. Scrt Dog Admirer T-shirt £50 at Scrt If we've any dog families in our midst, Scrt's Dog Admirer tee is the gift that's sure to get you in the good books. Like the east London-based label's entire range, it's made using a premium heavyweight fabric and cut to a comfy oversized fit. Size down if he prefers it fitted. Crew neck T-shirt £14.90 at Uniqlo If your dad is more of a classic dresser, you can't go wrong with a well-fitting crisp white T-shirt. This affordable option from Uniqlo has been a big hit with readers since appearing in our guide to 50 men's summer wardrobe updates under £100. Schuh Summit leather sandals £45 at Schuh£45 at Next Classic black leather sandals are a crowd pleaser – and can be worn pretty much everywhere. Around the house. To the park. Even to walk the aforementioned dog. This year, the strappy gladiator-coded style is trending, and Schuh's Summit is a great nod to the trend without sacrificing timelessness. Autograph Supima T-shirt and Lyocell pyjamas Top £18 at Marks & SpencerBottoms £30 at Marks & Spencer A pair of PJs will always go down well. But what makes this set by Autograph (Marks & Spencer's premium label) so good for Father's Day is that they're made from lightweight, breathable fabrics, perfect for the impending summer. They're so smooth he'll never want to take them off. Folk waffle socks £20 at Folk Menswear brand Folk is a favourite among fashionable fathers in the know – and the brand is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. These waffle-stitch socks will add a splash of colour to any outfit and are on the cool rather than cringe spectrum of novelty. Hush Puppies The Good Slipper £30.99 at Hush PuppiesFrom £42 at John Lewis Up the eco credentials of your dad's loungewear with these recycled slippers from Hush Puppies. The upper is made of 90% recycled polyester, while the sole is padded with recycled foam for a more comfortable slipper. Waffle dressing gown £32 at Next Lightweight enough to wear throughout the summer months, a waffle dressing gown will give your dad a luxe spa feel while lounging around at home.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
First Minister says plans to downgrade Wishaw neonatal unit are 'not about saving money'
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the plans for the neonatal intensive care unit (Nicu) at University Hospital Wishaw show the NHS is 'simply not safe in John Swinney's hands'. First Minister John Swinney has said plans to downgrade a neonatal unit are 'not about saving money' and instead about saving babies' lives, as he was pressed on the issue by Anas Sarwar. The Scottish Labour leader said the plans for the neonatal intensive care unit (Nicu) at University Hospital Wishaw show the NHS is 'simply not safe in John Swinney's hands'. An online petition against the change has surpassed 25,000 signatures. Under the Government's proposal, the Nicu at Wishaw will be downgraded to level two, meaning babies born earlier than 27 weeks will need to be transferred to another hospital. Ministers say expert advice points towards having three specialist neonatal intensive care units, in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Government also says the vast majority of babies will be cared for in their local neonatal unit, including Wishaw which will still deliver some intensive care. However campaigners have warned some mothers may face long journeys to see their newborns after birth. Raising the issue at First Minister's Questions in Holyrood on Thursday, Mr Sarwar said the unit is award-winning and asked: 'Why does the SNP want to downgrade this life-saving unit?' The First Minister said the proposals are the 'product of advice from an expert group' which recommended three specialist centres. The babies affected will only be those needing 'extremes' of care, he said. Mr Sarwar went on to say Mr Swinney is 'choosing to listen to certain experts and ignore others', as he raised the cases of two women. He said Tammy Johnston was unable to pick up her premature son Kai for four weeks. Mr Sarwar said under the plans, she could be forced to travel to Aberdeen, or further. He also said another woman, Amanda Todd, had been told she may have to give birth in Dublin due to a shortage of beds, and he added: 'Isn't it the case that the NHS is simply not safe in John Swinney's hands.' Mr Swinney said he cannot ignore expert clinical opinion. He said: 'There is nothing in the proposal about Wishaw general hospital that is about saving money, it's about maximising the chances of saving babies' lives. 'That's what the proposal is about, informed by expert opinion.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
