Hayfever & Allergic Rhinitis Consultations

Explore hayfever symptoms, pollen self-care and questions to discuss in a consultation. Ask Willoway about appropriate assessment, availability and fees.

Hayfever can affect your eyes, nose, sleep and day-to-day comfort. Explore practical advice and the questions to discuss in an individual consultation, without committing to a particular treatment.

The consultation costs £60. If treatment is clinically appropriate and you choose to proceed, an additional £60 is charged, making £120 in total. The £60 consultation fee applies whether or not treatment proceeds. A consultation does not guarantee eligibility or a particular treatment; suitability, options and risks are discussed individually.

Understanding hayfever

Hayfever is an allergic reaction to pollen. Symptoms may last for weeks or months while the relevant pollen is present, and can vary from year to year. There is no current cure, but appropriate advice and treatment can help many people manage symptoms.

• Sneezing or a runny or blocked nose
• Itchy, red or watery eyes
• An itchy throat, mouth, nose or ears
• Coughing or a reduced sense of smell
• Headache, sinus discomfort or tiredness

Hayfever and allergic rhinitis: what’s the difference?

Allergic rhinitis is inflammation inside the nose triggered by an allergy. Pollen-related allergic rhinitis is commonly called hayfever. Other triggers include house dust mites, animal dander and mould, so symptoms are not always seasonal. Not all rhinitis is allergic; an assessment may be needed to understand the cause.

Try to identify and reduce relevant triggers. Measures such as damp-dusting, cleaning bedding and managing damp may help, depending on the allergy. A pharmacist can advise on suitable options, including saline nasal products. Follow product instructions and seek individual advice rather than assuming one approach suits everyone.

See a GP if you are unsure what is causing symptoms, they affect sleep or daily life, pharmacy treatments do not help, or symptoms or asthma worsen. Testing or specialist assessment is considered when clinically useful, not automatically for every person.

The published £60 consultation plus conditional £60 treatment charge describes the hayfever service confirmed by Willoway. Ask about the scope and fees for any other rhinitis care before booking; this page does not promise a particular treatment or that every option has the same price.

Practical pollen self-care

• Check the pollen forecast and plan outdoor activities around your triggers.
• Wear wraparound sunglasses to help limit pollen reaching your eyes.
• Shower and change clothes after time outdoors to remove pollen.
• Keep windows closed when pollen levels are high and damp-dust indoor surfaces.
• Avoid smoke and drying clothes outdoors when pollen is high.

Options to discuss

Start with pharmacy advice

A pharmacist can advise on appropriate over-the-counter options, including antihistamines, nasal sprays or eye drops. Some products cause drowsiness, and not every option is suitable for everyone. Check how to use them correctly and what precautions apply.

Review persistent symptoms

Speak to a GP if symptoms are getting worse or do not improve with medicines from the pharmacy. A review can check the likely cause, what you have tried, technique, regularity of use and whether other conditions are contributing.

Consider further assessment

More complex or difficult-to-control symptoms may need further clinical assessment or specialist referral. The appropriate next step depends on your history and findings; no particular treatment or referral is guaranteed by a consultation enquiry.

Your consultation journey

Ask about a consultation

The consultation costs £60. Confirm availability and scope before booking. Use the general enquiry form for appointment questions only, not medical history or symptoms.

Review your history privately

During an agreed clinical assessment, discuss your symptoms, seasonal pattern, health history, allergies and current medicines, plus the options you have already tried.

Discuss appropriate next steps

Explore likely benefits, limitations, alternatives and material risks. You may be advised to use pharmacy or GP care, arrange further assessment, or make no treatment change.

Agree review and follow-up

If a care plan is agreed, ask when to review it and what to do if symptoms continue or worsen. A website enquiry is not a confirmed appointment or a promise of treatment.

Individual suitability

• The timing, duration and impact of symptoms
• Previous treatments, how you used them and the response
• Asthma, other allergies and relevant health conditions
• Current medicines, supplements and known medicine allergies
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding or other circumstances affecting treatment choice

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, existing conditions or other medicines can change which options are appropriate; they are reasons to seek individual advice, not a blanket reason to avoid all care. Do not stop or combine medicines based on this website.

Risks, limitations and follow-up

Treatment benefits and risks depend on the specific option and your circumstances. Possible effects can include drowsiness or local irritation with some products; other treatments have different risks. Ask about side effects, interactions, alternatives and what follow-up is needed before making a decision. Relief and duration vary; no season-long result is promised.

Hayfever can worsen asthma symptoms. Seek prompt clinical advice if your breathing or asthma control changes. Do not wait for an online enquiry response if you are struggling to breathe; call 999 for severe breathing difficulty or a medical emergency.

Your questions

Can allergic rhinitis happen outside the pollen season?

Yes. Pollen-related allergic rhinitis is called hayfever, but dust mites, animal dander or mould can cause symptoms at other times. Similar symptoms may also have non-allergic causes; seek assessment if the trigger is unclear or symptoms persist.

What is hayfever?

An allergic reaction to pollen which can cause sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes and irritation. Similar symptoms can have other causes, so ongoing or unusual symptoms may need clinical assessment.

Can hayfever be cured?

There is currently no cure. Appropriate self-care and treatment can help many people manage symptoms, but benefit and duration vary and no result is guaranteed.

How quickly will symptoms improve?

It depends on the cause, the chosen approach and how it is used. Ask the pharmacist or clinician about expected onset and when to seek review. This page does not promise a fixed time to relief.

Will one appointment cover the whole season?

That cannot be assumed. Symptoms and exposure may change over the season, and you may need ongoing self-care, review or further assessment. Discuss an appropriate follow-up plan.

What should I try first?

Speak to a pharmacist about suitable over-the-counter options and ways to limit pollen exposure. See a GP if symptoms worsen or pharmacy treatment does not help.

Is every treatment suitable for everyone?

No. Age, health history, pregnancy or breastfeeding, allergies and other medicines can affect suitability. A pharmacist or clinician should assess relevant risks before advising you.

Can I combine treatments?

Some combinations may be appropriate, but check with a pharmacist or clinician first. Do not increase doses, stop medicines or combine products based only on website information.

Are there side effects?

Yes, possible effects vary by product and person. Some antihistamines cause drowsiness and certain local products may cause irritation. Ask about the specific risks and interactions of any option under consideration.

Do I need an allergy blood test?

Not everyone with hayfever needs testing. A clinician considers your history and whether a test would change care. A positive sensitisation test does not alone confirm a clinical allergy. Blood testing does not guarantee treatment eligibility.

How do I enquire, and what does it cost?

The consultation costs £60, with an additional £60 if treatment is clinically appropriate and you choose to proceed (£120 total). The consultation fee applies even if treatment does not proceed. Ask about availability and scope using the contact form. Please do not send symptoms, medical history or test results. An enquiry does not confirm an appointment or commit you to treatment.