I was wondering if my symptoms would be less severe if I started taking antihistamines before the hayfever season begins? I usually get symptoms between May and June but wondered if it would help my body build up resistance to pollen if I took antihistamines early on in the year.

Hi there, generally speaking, desensitising hayfever treatments tend to be much more effective if they are taken over a period of time, rather than only when pollen counts are high. You may like to take a remedy such as Pollinosan Hayfever tablets for 2 weeks or so before the usual onset of your symptoms. You may also find that taking Nettles (as tea or tincture) over the next couple of months will give your body a cleansing boost that reduces the chances of it acting too dramatically in response to pollen.

Antihistamine medication works by stopping the production of histamine, however, so it won't help you build up resistance to pollen. If taking this medication, please follow the instructions given by your doctor or on the packet.