GP and healthcare

Information and advice for a parent or carer of a young adult living with allergy.

For the first time, your young person will be completely responsible for their own medical care. Here are some tips to help them manage this successfully:

Remind them to register with a local GP. Setting up online booking when they register can make it easier when routine appointments are needed.
If they have problems registering with a GP, they can be taken on as an emergency patient to make sure they have access to medical help and prescriptions.
- How to register with a GP surgery – NHS
- GP services – NHS
Many GP surgeries offer online or phone line repeat prescription services. Remind them that GP surgeries need two days to turn prescriptions around.
Suggest they set phone reminders in advance of medication running out or expiring.
In the event that they run out of and need urgent help out of hours, they will need to consider their best option. This may be 111 or A&E in an emergency. 111 can also support out of hours prescriptions in specific situations, but should not be relied on.

Medication Matters

Adrenaline auto-injector pens: Trainer pens can be obtained from the company’s website. Usually each company website features videos and share best practice on AAIs. They need to know when to use their AAIs and be sure to carry two pens at all times.

Order Jext trainer AAI

Order EpiPen trainer AAI

Order Emerade trainer AAI

Antihistamines: Sedating histamines may impact driving, operating machinery and even exam performance. They can affect reaction time and make it hard to focus. Encourage them to familiarise themselves with the side effects of the antihistamine to be sure. Non-sedating antihistamines are widely available and pharmacists can help advise the most appropriate to use.
Asthma inhalers: They need to know how and when to use their inhalers. They should also be aware of when to seek guidance to improve control and when to seek urgent advice. Research shows unstable asthma is linked to a more severe allergic reaction and there be a need to review their asthma action plan. Most peole with asthma should have a yearly review of their asthma and an asthma action plan.
Hay fever / allergic rhinitis medications: They should plan to begin their medications before tree or pollen season starts. Reinforce that taking medications correctly means their allergic rhinitis is less likely to impact exams and social events.
Eczema: Flares may happen in new environments, at times of increased stress and changes of lifestyle. They may need to be forewarned of this, so they can consider in advance how they might want to manage their flare ups, effectively should this arise.

Additional Resources

Adrenaline Auto-Injectors

This information has been developed to highlight the importance of carrying your adrenaline auto injectors. It also covers the different types and brands of adrenaline auto injectors available in the UK as well as how to care for your adrenaline auto injector.

Asthma Information

People living with allergies and asthma need to be aware that their asthma attacks can be very severe and come on very quickly, especially when they are exposed to their trigger allergen.

Coping with Eczema as an Adult

Eczema doesnt just affect your skin, it can affect your everyday life, your social life, your mental health, your general wellbeing and happiness. It is because of these reasons that it is important to have an agreed management plan with a good skin care regime.

Does Hay Fever affect your Life?

If you have asthma it is essential to manage your hay fever symptoms as well as you taking your usual medication for asthma to prevent worsening of your asthma symptoms.

Sanofi UK has provided a financial contribution to the production of this digital destination but has had no editorial input into the design, content or other outputs.

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