Hay fever? Keep away from doctors
MEDICATION PUTS STRAIN ON HEALTH SERVICE
THE North East’s NHS services have pleaded for hay fever sufferers to stay away from their GP as the pollen count is set to stay high over the bank holiday weekend.
Met Office forecasters say the tree pollen risk will increase to high as the region starts to enjoy warmer weather over the next few days.
Now, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) across the North East have issued a joint appeal for people to go to their pharmacist rather than their GP for help and advice with the symptoms.
They say prescribing readily available medication like antihistamines costs the NHS millions every year, which adds “unnecessary strain to local GPs and the NHS”.
Processing these prescriptions can cost 20 times the price of buying identical medication at a pharmacy or supermarket.
The CCGs say: “Before you call a GP, talk to your pharmacist. You don’t need an appointment and for most minor illnesses it’s faster and easier.
“You don’t need a prescription for hay fever medication, as they can be easily purchased at your local pharmacy or supermarket, often much cheaper than the cost of an NHS prescription.”
There are a number of other ways that you can help protect yourself from the symptoms of hay fever:
Keep the windows shut in the house and the car especially when pollen counts are high
Avoid grassy areas and woodlands, or cutting the grass Wear wrap-around sunglasses After being outdoors wash your hands, face, hair, rinse your eyes and change your clothes to avoid spreading pollen around your home
If possible stay indoors when the pollen count is high
Smear a small amount of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, inside your nose to help prevent pollen settling inside your nose
Don’t dry washing outside to avoid pollen sticking to your clothes
Buy a pollen filter for car air vents.