When to start allergy medicine to build up?

[sidmand]

The last couple of years DS has had really bad seasonal allergies but we didn't catch them until they had already started. The doctor told us to start Zyrtec early this year to build it up in his system before the allergy season got bad, but when do I start? Seems like it started getting bad in April? So start with the Zyrtec nowish?

[egoldber]

Our allergist says at least 3 weeks in advance.

What is he allergic to? We started older DD's allergy meds (Zyrtec and Nasonex) on March 1. Her main spring allergy is tree pollen, which is already at a low level and will be high by the end of March.

[LarsMal]

Our allergist says at least 3 weeks in advance.

What is he allergic too? We started older DD's allergy meds (Zyrtec and Nasonex) on March 1. Her main spring allergy is tree pollen, which is already at a low level and will be high by the end of March.

Same here- at least 3 weeks in advance. I actually take it year-round now, but my allergist recommended I start in February to get ready for the tree pollen.

[sidmand]

I thought I was ahead of it thinking about it now but it sounds like I'm almost too late. He is definitely allergic to tree pollen and we haven't figured out what else there might be but it's really really bad for tree pollen (eyes swollen shut bad) so we'll start the Zyrtec today!

Thanks for the quick help.

[pinkmomagain]

We started ours yesterday. The PA said that trees are already pollenating in the south and the winds send the pollen up north. I've actually already seen trees with buds in NY and crocuses in bloom too.

[ett]

Thanks for the reminder. I'm allergic to trees among other things so I better start up my Claritin now.

[KpbS]

We started Saturday. I noticed a thin, yellow film of pollen on the car today.

[lablover]

Well, the pollen has already started in my area (Northern Virginia). I was hoping all the snow would delay it but no such luck. DD is on singulair year round and I was trying to wait as long as possible before starting her other meds but her nose has been running a bit this week and after being outside all afternoon yesterday she started coughing from drip last night in bed. So she got a dose of zyrtec in her sleep. Right now the pollen is cedar/juniper and unfortunately our neighborhood is covered with cedar trees. We started Nasonex this morning and I'm hoping Nasonex, Flovent and Singulair will keep her in good shape. I used to love Spring!