Hay fever affects approximately 1 in 5 people in Australia. Hay fever symptoms are undesirable, causing various irritations such as a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, sore throat and in some cases, more serious symptoms such as headaches and reduced concentration. As a result of this, many sufferers choose to seek a quick temporary fix, by taking hay fever tablets (antihistamines) or eye drops. However, such medications may provide minimal improvement.
Botulinum toxin type A, which is used in a variety of cosmetic treatments such as dynamic and static line treatments, hyperhidrosis, trapezius muscle slimming and masseter injections, is also used to treat hayfever. Research conducted between 2017 and 2019, concluded that Botulinum Toxin Type A, effectively reduced most nasal symptoms.
How is Botulinum toxin used to treat hay fever?
Rather than being injected into the skin as it normally is for other cosmetic treatments, the Botulinum toxin is instead sprayed into the nose. The Botulinum toxin is absorbed through the mucosa lining of the nose as the lining of the nasal cavity is thin. This treatment does not ‘cure’ hayfever, it helps to prevent the common symptoms of hayfever such as runny or blocked nose, sneezing, itchy, watery or red and gritty eyes.
What are the benefits of Botulinum toxin for hay fever?
No lasting side-effects
Once the solution is sprayed into the nasal cavity, the patient’s throat will be completely unaffected, even if the solution were to make contact with the throat itself. Initially, the anti-wrinkle spray will trigger hay fever like symptoms that may last for up to 10 minutes.
Minimal discomfort
Patients may feel some mild discomfort when the anti-wrinkle solution is sprayed into the nose, the procedure should not cause any pain.
Odourless
The spray is completely odourless.
Fast
The treatment should take around 5 minutes. Patients will be kept in a lying position for approximately 10 minutes following the treatment to allow the Botulinum toxin to absorb before standing upright.
Affordable
Botulinum toxin treatment for hay fever is affordable, when compared to the continuous expenses associated with conventional hay fever medications and treatments.
Long-lasting relief
Patients generally respond successfully to the treatment. Some patients may require an additional treatment 4-6 weeks following their first visit. Botulinum toxin is able to prevent the onset of hay fever symptoms for several months, with some patients able to be free of symptoms for up to 2 years. Individuals are advised to receive the treatment on a yearly basis, between the months of August to March. Other hay fever treatments can be used in combination with Botulinum toxin treatment.
No downtime
There is no recovery time necessary. Patients are able to go about their regular daily activities as usual. However, patients are advised to avoid blowing their nose, and it’s important to refrain from doing any physical exercise for several hours after the treatment.
What steps are involved in Botulinum toxin treatment for hay fever?
- A medical appointment and hay fever health assessment is performed.
- Patients are to avoid taking any hay fever medication such as tablets, eye drops or nasal sprays for 24 hours prior to any treatment. Similarly, patients are required to refrain from using corticosteroid nasal sprays for 14 days before their treatment date.
- Application of Botulinum toxin into the patient’s nose.
- Patient is required to remain in lying down position for around 10 minutes, while the Botulinum toxin (anti-wrinkle solution) permeates the patient’s nasal cavity.
- The treatment will typically trigger symptoms that are consistent with hay fever, and this will last for around 10 minutes.
- The benefits of the treatment are generally experienced by the patient, within a few hours of nasal cavity being sprayed.
Contact Skin Clinic Robina
The use of Botulinum toxin Type A (the same solution used in many cosmetic treatments) represents an effective method for the management and treatment of hay fever symptoms such as runny nose and sneezing. To arrange an appointment for hay fever treatment on the Gold Coast, contact the team at Skin Clinic Robina today.
Note – treatment is only performed by a qualified doctor.