Thousands of hay fever sufferers will soon be prescribed a new treatment on the NHS
RELIEF ON NHS Thousands of hay fever sufferers will soon be prescribed a new treatment on the NHS
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
THOUSANDS of hay fever sufferers will soon be prescribed a new treatment on the NHS.
An under-the-tongue tablet — sold under brand name Itulazax — trains the body to tolerate more pollen through exposure.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
And trials show it can significantly reduce the worst allergy symptoms.
NHS spending watchdog Nice has now recommended it for people whose hay fever persists after basic treatment.
Nice's medicines evaluations chief Helen Knight said: "This treatment will help improve people's quality of life.
"Severe tree pollen allergies trap people indoors during beautiful weather and disrupt their work, education and family life.
"The daily tablet offers genuine long-term relief rather than just managing symptoms."
However, it only works on those with a birch pollen allergy — which is about a quarter of hay fever sufferers, estimated to be 27,000 people.
The NHS in England will offer it within three months of Nice publishing its final guidance.
Amena Warner, head of clinical services at Allergy UK, said: "Many people don't realise how awful it is having an itchy, runny nose, sneezing episodes or itchy, irritated eyes in the pollen season.
"We frequently hear from people who avoid time outdoors, keep doors and windows shut, check pollen counts and try and minimise any exposure, which takes a significant toll on their physical and emotional wellbeing.
"Nice's recommendation is so important because it provides a genuine opportunity for people to manage the root cause of their pollen allergy, offering the chance to break free from this burden and enjoy a better quality of life."
hayfever recommendations from a boots pharmacist
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
STV News
an hour ago
- STV News
Woman with incurable cancer taking on Sir Chris Hoy cycling challenge
A Fife woman living with stage four incurable cancer is set to take on Sir Chris Hoy's cycling challenge in Glasgow. At the end of November 2023, Rae Hyndman started to notice that her stomach was swelling. After going to her GP with what she initially thought was IBS, the 60-year-old was admitted to hospital for investigation. Following blood tests, Rae was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer which had spread to her fallopian tubes, womb, liver, spleen, appendix, large and small bowel, diaphragm and her omentum, a fatty tissue which protects the abdominal organs. Doctors told the mum that she may have anywhere between three to six months to live. From January to June the following year, Rae went through six rounds of chemotherapy and a major operation. She had a number of organs, including her spleen and appendix, removed during the surgery, whilst cancerous tumours were cut from other affected areas. The treatment allowed Rae to attend her son's wedding and be there for the birth of her first grandchild Supplied Rae is determined to complete the Tour de 4 cycling challenge. Although the 60-year-old may never be cured from ovarian cancer, the markers in her blood have remained stable. She now takes daily cancer inhibitor medication and is monitored closely by NHS oncology and gynaecology teams. Rae says the ordeal has changed her perspective on what is important in life. She told STV News: 'It has been huge, not just for me but also for my family. 'It sounds like a cliché but every morning I wake up, I feel so happy. We could go away on bucket list holidays but after the diagnosis I didn't want to be away from my family. 'I'm more focussed on the simple things now. All the things people usually worry about, after this you realise none of that matters. 'It made me realise how important health is.' Rae is now determined to take on the Tour de 4, a charity cycle event set up by Sir Chris Hoy to raise money for cancer research. Supplied Rae celebrating her 60th birthday, a milestone she never thought she'd reach. The Olympic champion launched the brand new cycling initiative to change perceptions around stage 4 cancer following his own diagnosis. Rae, from Cupar, believes the Olympian's cancer journey reflects her own She explained: 'Chris Hoy's story is like mine. 'He went from being a healthy person to then having stage four cancer. I agreed with him that when I hear someone has stage four cancer I always thought that was it, you are unable to do anything. 'In some cases that is true, but I just feel that there is still hope. The news is still devastating but you may still have a good quality of life with your family. 'I feel as healthy as I did before the diagnosis. I think, like Chris Hoy, I want people to know you can live with stage four cancer.' The mum has signed up to cycle the Red Route, which is a 56-mile road cycle, with her daughter Emma, her friend and her cycling trainer Graham Barclay. Supplied Rae with her family on holiday. Rae is aiming to raise as much money as possible for Ovarian Cancer Action and to use her story to make more women aware of the disease. She said: 'Chris Hoy is campaigning for a screening methodology, I think we need the same for women to help diagnose ovarian cancer. 'There is a screening programme for cervical cancer and a vaccination which has pretty much eradicated it. The charity I am raising money for is looking into early detection and a vaccine for ovarian cancer. 'I thought if I had my breast, bowel and cervical screens I was pretty much covered. I was not aware of ovarian cancer. 'There is a misconception that a smear test can detect ovarian cancer but it doesn't. So I think people need to be more aware of ovarian cancer.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Asylum seekers handed almost one million NHS 'free passes' in the last five years
Asylum seekers have been handed almost one million NHS 'free passes' in the last five years, official new data reveals. The HC2 certificates give Britons on low incomes the right to free health services that most people would have to pay for. This includes prescriptions, dental care, eye tests, wigs, and discounts for glasses, contact lenses, and travelling to and from appointments. But figures released under freedom of information laws show most of the 1.56 million issued across the UK since 2020 were awarded to asylum seekers. They accounted for 920,199, or 59 per cent, of the certificates awarded over this period the NHS Business Services Authority told the Telegraph. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said the figures 'are another illustration of the costs of illegal immigration'. 'Those crossing the Channel invariably claim asylum, and then receive housing, bills paid, free money and full healthcare – despite never having paid a penny in tax and having entered the country illegally,' he said. 'No wonder illegal immigrants from across Europe are flocking to the UK.' Anyone who can demonstrate they have a low or no income can apply for an HC2 certificate regardless of their immigration status. Asylum seekers are automatically given one if they are eligible for 'section 95 support' under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, which means they are entitled to claim financial and housing assistance. Other migrants claiming asylum are able to apply for it, depending on the levels of support they are receiving. Conservative MP Steve Barclay, a former health secretary, said it was 'an abuse of taxpayer funds' and 'completely wrong that asylum seekers are receiving beneficial access to health treatment compared to the taxpayers who fund it'. The certificate provides 'full help with health costs', such as unlimited dental care and prescriptions, vouchers worth up to £233 to spend on glasses, as well as refunds on any travel costs to hospital appointments. The cost of a prescription for a British resident is £9.90 if they have no other exemption, while the most basic NHS dentist check-up is £27.40. Dental treatments cost hundreds of pounds more. A simple NHS eye test costs £23.55, while wigs and fabric supports, which can be given to patients with hair loss because of alopecia or cancer treatment, can cost in excess of £300. Asylum seekers must renew their certificates every six months, rather than the 12 months that applies to other UK residents. But holders are able to continue using their certificate to get all costs covered until it expires, even if their circumstances change. Anyone with an HC2 form can also get free care for their partner and children or dependents up to the age of 18. There have been 317,000 claims for asylum from migrants within the UK over the same period, which is double the number in the previous five years, between 2015 and 2019. New data released on Thursday revealed that 25,000 migrants had crossed the English Channel on small boats in 2025, hitting the milestone earlier in the year than ever before. An NHS spokesperson said: 'The NHS is legally required to provide healthcare services to asylum seekers, including access to help with health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme.' A government spokesperson said: 'We are fixing the chaotic asylum system we inherited and have returned over 35,000 people, including failed asylum seekers, immigrants and foreign national offenders to ultimately relieve pressures on nationwide services. 'These certificates do not give access to NHS services ahead of people who don't have one. 'The highest number of certificates issued in the last five years were under the previous administration.'
ITV News
an hour ago
- ITV News
How a Yeovil family fell foul of travel insurance rules and face a huge bill to get their dad home
When three generations of the Kirby Whitemore family packed their bags for Zante last month, they thought they had everything they needed: suncream, snorkel, flippers, everything to enjoy a week on the Greek island. They had even remembered to buy travel insurance. Today, that dream vacation has become a living nightmare, with 67-year-old Alan Kirby fighting for his life in an Athens hospital while his devastated family faces an impossible choice between staying by his side and financial ruin. The holiday began like any other family trip to the Mediterranean. For the first two days, the Kirbys soaked up the Greek sunshine, splashed in crystal-clear waters, and created memories across three generations. But on day three, everything changed. "It started innocently enough—a muscular pain down his side," recalls the family. "We assumed it was from Alan throwing the children into the sea all day at the beach. He'd been playing with them for hours." What seemed like typical holiday muscle strain quickly revealed itself as something far more sinister. The apparently healthy grandfather's condition deteriorated rapidly, and within days he was diagnosed with pneumonia and suspected lung cancer, now dependent on an oxygen tank to breathe. Alan's family describes the Greek public hospital as "scruffy and understaffed". The stark contrast between the healthcare he desperately needs and what's available has left the family feeling helpless and abandoned. Legally, the only way Alan could fly home to the NHS is on a medical flight with a specialist nurse. That costs £30,000 and his family can't afford it. The source of the Kirbys' nightmare lies buried in the small print of their Allianz travel insurance policy. Alan had failed to declare a benign lung tumour discovered the previous year—a condition that required no active treatment and seemed to have no impact on his daily life. To Alan and his family, the inactive tumour appeared irrelevant to their holiday plans. To Allianz, however, this omission was grounds to deny coverage entirely, regardless of whether the undisclosed condition was directly related to his current crisis. In a statement Allianz explained: "Our sympathies are with Mr Kirby and his family during his recovery. In common with other travel insurers, we ask customers to adhere to policy terms, including disclosure of any pre-existing medical conditions for anyone covered under the policy. Unfortunately, a pre-existing medical condition was not disclosed to us, so we are declining the claim. We acted in good faith and covered the costs of Mr Kirby until the pre-existing medical condition was established." His daughter Liza's said: "Please, when everyone's going on holiday, check everything—every single thing you might not be covered for." His partner Helen's added: "I just don't know what to do. I just want him home." The couple, along with Liza, have launched a GoFundMe campaign as their last hope to raise the funds needed for Alan's medical repatriation. As Alan fights for his life in Athens, his families story has become a powerful warning to travellers everywhere: when it comes to travel insurance, every medical detail matters, no matter how insignificant it may appear.
