Different pollens can trigger hayfever at different times of the year and, potentially, if they are sensitive to all these different pollens, patients could be symptomatic from early January until October. Honorary consultant physician Dr Glenis Scadding advises that patients should start taking hayfever medication before their symptoms start and only stop taking it when their symptoms are likely to go away. 

In this episode of the medical update podcast, Dr Scadding speaks to MIMS Learning’s medical editor Sangeeta about hayfever management. She discusses what sets allergic rhinitis apart from viral infections, how to identify red flags, and what type of antihistamine to choose. 

She also highlights the benefits of combined intranasal sprays and the potential for sublingual immunotherapy to alter the long-term ‘allergic career’ of allergic rhinitis.

Educational objectives

After listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be better able to: 

• Recall the common red flags that necessitate urgent ENT or specialist referral
• Identify the clinical differences between viral upper respiratory infections and allergic rhinitis
• Explain the correct technique to use intranasal corticosteroid sprays for maximum efficacy
• Recognise when to consider allergen-specific immunotherapy for moderate to severe hayfever
• Review the relationship between poorly controlled allergic rhinitis and asthma exacerbations

You can access the website version of this podcast, along with a list of key learning points, on MIMS Learning - and make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

MIMS Learning resources

Register for a FREE account

Hayfever: clinical review

Podcast: nose problems in primary care

MIMS

Hayfever treatments

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.