Start antihistamines 1-2 weeks before allergy season

What to Do

Begin taking your chosen daily antihistamine 1-2 weeks before your allergy season typically starts. Check local pollen forecasts to time the start.

Why It Works

Antihistamines work best as prevention rather than rescue. Pre-loading allows the medication to reach steady-state blood levels before pollen exposure begins. Studies show significantly better symptom control with pre-seasonal dosing compared to starting after symptoms appear.

Tips

• Track your personal allergy calendar year to year
• Pollen.com and local weather apps provide reliable forecasts
• Tree pollen peaks in spring, grass in late spring/summer, ragweed in fall
• Consistent daily dosing is more effective than as-needed use