Abstract

The prevalence of hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) in the UK has been increasing; for instance, it doubled from 10 to 20 per 1000 people between the 1970s and 1980s.1 For a few patients with severe hay fever symptoms, it sometimes helps to give a systemic corticosteroid; one possible option is the injection of a long-acting corticosteroid, such as triamcinolone. We have previously concluded that systemic corticosteroids have only a limited role, that is, when complete control of severe symptoms is judged essential (e.g. for a wedding or exam).2 Here we reconsider the case for depot triamcinolone injections in the management of hay fever.