How early in the year do you start taking anti-histamines?

For me it's when the tulips come out, but it's not tulips. Have some in the house now, no problem. Obviously something that flowers around the same time!????

All the time! Some times I need more but aways some!

Could it be some kind of tree blossom Jayanna? My eldest son used to suffer when the early trees were in bloom.

Tree pollen...I hate the stuff but don't take anything as early as this, more like April.

E my GD has to start her fexofenidine and eyedrops , and nasal spray in february hers goes through till late july /early august

Yes I wondered about that. I'd like to pin it down even though I can't do anything about it. Apart from not living somewhere like Poplar Avenue!?

4 a day, every day, without fail or I know about it

Yes. Tree pollen is my worst time as well. Itchy eyes and very croaky voice.

Beconase spray helps as well.

I'm sure I should be taking them most of the year. I start sneezing in the early morning and then late in the evening. Some years ago I had a full range of tests for allergies and they couldn't find anything. They came to the conclusion it was probably air pollution .

Yes when needed once people star mowing their grass and clipping shrubs I'm off (they are doing it now).

DD takes them all year, she seems to have many allergies.

I take them throughout the year now. I originally only needed them for a few months in the summer but for the last few years my symptoms are all year round. I am 63. I have reduced them to one every other day though. That is unless I am going out for a meal and expect (!) to have a glass or two of wine....then to be on the safe side I take one before I go out. I believe it is the sulphites in wine as the label usually gives you an allergy warning...contains sulphites.
It used to worry me but now I just think why should I suffer the symptoms. I never forget to take a tablet as the sneezing, runny nose etc. starts up when the tablet is due. I do have the odd worry that one day my body will be so used to them that they won't work though. Until then I will continue and no...I will not stop drinking wine! ??cheers!

I'm allergic to dust so take one every day. I have found that Acrivastine helps me sleep without making me feel groggy the next day so I take one every evening.

I have read that Vitamin C helps

I take 1 gram a day of slow release Vitamin C, half in the morning and half at night-time

I double the dose any time I am stressed or feel a tickle in my throat

Seems to work for me

I have noticed that the hazel trees are throwing out a lot of pollen, as are alders. Are you allergic to those? Possibly also the conifers of various sorts.
I am fortunate in not having hayfever - but have plenty of skin allergies - so am not really sure when it is suitable to start.
it would seem sensible to use antihistamines when you need them rather than when it would seem appropriate.
All the best.

I took a hay fever tablet and some vitamins yesterday to see if they'd help with my incredibly itchy, dry, winter, sun deprived skin. I reckon half an hour in the sun would sort it but there is no sun!

I take them year-round. I'm not sure if cats affect me, but as both my sons' families have them, I don't take any chances. I'm certainly allergic to tree pollens - hazels and willows at present but there are several birch trees just beyond my garden which will make my life a misery in a month or so. The ENT consultant I've been seeing for another issue has arranged an allergen test next time I go to outpatients - hopefully next month.

Take antihistamines when you need them there is no specific time of year. If you have an allergic reaction to something take the tablets when you need them.

It's probably the catkins. I am allergic to birch pollen and am quite chuffed my eyes haven't started itching yet but they will..... If you find eating certain raw fruits makes your throat itchy too it is related to birch pollen allergy.

What Nipsmum said - exactly.

The only reason not to, is if you hold shares in Kleenex tissues!?

There is no set time of the year for taking anti histamines. When ever you experience a physical discomfort and told by your doctor it is an allergy to something or other and he /she prescribes an anti histamine that's the time to take it .

I have to take them all the time but still start suffering more from about now when the sap is rising in the trees.

I think it's the two birches near us that do it for me, as before moving here I never had problems!

Does anyone find that anti histamines causes their hair to thin if taken for sometime?