It’s early February and with the cold weather one forgets that Spring is around the corner. Now is the time to proactively prepare for the hay fever season. First of all the tree pollens will arrive with Silver Birch tree pollen being the main culprit and those sensitive to this aeroallergen will get typical hay fever very early in March.  Most hay fever sufferers will have problems when the Grass pollens become prevalent a little later in April/May.  Now is the time to prepare as prevention is better than cure.  Start your once-daily non-sedating antihistamines 2 to 3 weeks before the season gets under way, for tree pollen allergies, that means starting this month and for grass pollen allergy start in mid March.  Take your antihistamine every day during the season for best results, low dose nasal steroid sprays are very effective if taken together with antihistamines for breakthrough symptoms.  For those lucky enough to have been prescribed immunotherapy such as Grazax, get your prescription immediately and start taking this oral grass pollen desensitization treatment this month. Other measures such as a daily teaspoonful of local honey, herbal Butterbur and cromoglycate drops (Optrex) may also help and should be started soon. Don’t leave treatment until your eyes are streaming and your nose is like a  “Fireworks display”.  Be proactive, and plan your hay fever prevention so that the spring and summer months are enjoyable and full of fun rather than being a time of sneeze, itch, coryza and misery.

http://www.allergy-clinic.co.uk/airway-allergy/hayfever/