Latest news with #HelenKnight
Powys County Times
20 hours ago
- Health
- Powys County Times
'Breakthrough' for hay fever sufferers through new NHS drug
Hay fever sufferers are set to benefit from a new daily treatment that officials say offers "long-term relief". Hay fever is a common allergy that causes sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes. You cannot cure it, but there are things you can do to help your symptoms, or medicines you can take to help. But if you've clicked on this article, you probably didn't need us to tell you that. I'm not being dramatic but i might be the first person to die from hayfever. — Sheena (@sarky_sheena) July 20, 2025 The new under-the-tongue immunotherapy tablet works by training the immune system to tolerate tree pollen over three years of daily use. The drug, called Betula verrusca and sold under the brand name Itulazax 12 SQ-Bet, has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a hay fever treatment on the NHS. NICE estimates that around 27,000 people in England will benefit from the treatment, which is recommended for people whose hay fever symptoms persist even after taking antihistamines or using nasal sprays. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, 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." Symptoms are usually worse between late March and September, especially when it's warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest. Hay fever can last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after 1 to 2 weeks. 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."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
New hay fever pill will retrain the immune system
A first-of-its kind hay fever pill is to be rolled out on the NHS. The immunotherapy drug aims to treat the root cause of symptoms by retraining the immune system to tolerate tree pollen over three years of daily use. Betula verrucosa, sold under the brand name Itulazax 12 SQ-Bet and made by ALK-Abello, is a tablet that contains birch pollen extract. It has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) to be an option the NHS for around 27,000 people whose hay fever symptoms persist even after taking antihistamines or using nasal sprays. About 13 million people in the UK have hay fever during the spring and summer months, and about one in four sufferers are allergic to tree pollen. Severe tree pollen allergies can cause debilitating symptoms for some people during the spring and summer months, including fatigue, breathing difficulties, inflamed sinuses, itchy, watery eyes and changes in vision. Trials show the tablet can significantly reduce the symptoms of severe hay fever by changing how the body responds to allergens. Could benefit 27,000 people The immunotherapy works by gradually increasing the body's tolerance to tree pollen through controlled daily exposure to small amounts of pollen. Before being given the tablets, patients will require a skin prick or blood tests to confirm an allergy to birch tree pollen. Nice estimates that about 27,000 people in England are expected to benefit from the recommendation. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, 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.' According to Allergy UK, birch pollen allergy is estimated to affect about a quarter of hay fever sufferers. 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.' Emil Stage Olsen, ALK-Abello's general manager for the UK and Ireland, added: 'We welcome this positive Nice recommendation, which is another meaningful advancement for the UK allergy community. 'Our focus is now on working closely with the NHS to ensure eligible patients can benefit from this first-in-class immunotherapy.' The NHS in England will provide the treatment within three months of Nice publishing its final guidance. Prof Meghana Pandit, co-medical director at NHS England, welcomed the announcement. She said: 'This innovative treatment, which will soon be rolled out on the NHS, enables patients to build up tolerance to birch tree pollen within their immune system, rather than just treating the symptoms – and we hope this will give many a new lease of life, allowing people to spend time enjoying being outside, without the discomfort allergies can bring.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of hay fever sufferers will soon be prescribed a new treatment on the NHS
Read on for some of the ways hay fever can disrupt a sufferer's life 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
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Thousands of hay fever sufferers will soon be prescribed a new treatment on the NHS
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. 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 1
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
New hay fever pill will retrain the immune system
A first-of-its kind hay fever pill is to be rolled out on the NHS. The immunotherapy drug aims to treat the root cause of symptoms by retraining the immune system to tolerate tree pollen over three years of daily use. Betula verrucosa, sold under the brand name Itulazax 12 SQ-Bet and made by ALK-Abello, is a tablet that contains birch pollen extract. It has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) to be an option the NHS for around 27,000 people whose hay fever symptoms persist even after taking antihistamines or using nasal sprays. About 13 million people in the UK have hay fever during the spring and summer months, and about one in four sufferers are allergic to tree pollen. Severe tree pollen allergies can cause debilitating symptoms for some people during the spring and summer months, including fatigue, breathing difficulties, inflamed sinuses, itchy, watery eyes and changes in vision. Trials show the tablet can significantly reduce the symptoms of severe hay fever by changing how the body responds to allergens. Could benefit 27,000 people The immunotherapy works by gradually increasing the body's tolerance to tree pollen through controlled daily exposure to small amounts of pollen. Before being given the tablets, patients will require a skin prick or blood tests to confirm an allergy to birch tree pollen. Nice estimates that about 27,000 people in England are expected to benefit from the recommendation. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, 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.' According to Allergy UK, birch pollen allergy is estimated to affect about a quarter of hay fever sufferers. 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.'
