I suffer from hay fever. Are there any other sufferers out there? According to an organisation called Allergy UK, hay fever has struck already (February!!!). They have been inundated with calls from people suffering from hay fever-like symptoms and I was really bad yesterday. Sneezing and itchy, runny/blocked nose, etc.

However, I was suffering like that from the end of August up until November/December! Thought it was my deodorant/anti-perspirant!!! Have been okay since, but yesterday was awful. Has anyone else been suffering too?

I am a very mild sufferer, if that makes sense!

I never used to suffer from hayfever until about five years ago. Luckily I don't get it as bad as some people I know.
Have been a bit stuffy over the last week with itchy eyes, usually it starts with me in about March. The weather here in wales has been nice with sunshine all day and not too cold and I have noticed early signs of spring.

I used to get it quite badly but since moving to Cornwall I've been much better. I suppose it's 'different' pollen down here.

My sister has been suffering quite bad this past couple of days. Her Father-in-law has told her that it is not Hay fever, it is to early in the year.. they are along way off from cutting the hay What has she married into.

I very rarely get hay fever, when i do it's mild and it seems to correspond with the Hawthorn in flower.

I suffer from grass pollen quite bad if I don't take medication. Mine starts from early June and lasts until the end of July. Must remember to start taking tablets early this year to allow it to build up in my system rather than wait until I'm sneezing my head off!

Luckily I don't have hay fever, at least I haven't so far (touch wood). Most people I know that have it get it around June-July time, so it is strange that it's started this year already.

I have found that heyfever is caused by an allergic reaction pollen and sometimes to the spores given off by mould. When you come into contact with these allergens, your immune system thinks it is under attack and releases a chemical called histamine, which is to blame for these symptoms sneezing, sniffles, an itchy throat and sore, watery or gritty eyes.

Getting it around June-July would indicate an allergy to grass pollen. Those allergic to tree pollen would tend to suffer earlier in the year (April-May). Either way to start in February is unusual.

Personally, if forced to choose I'd rather suffer from tree pollen - al least that way it's over by the time the summer arrives

House dust is my bugbear, and gets worse in winter when we need the heating turned up. Thankfully, the advent of the Dyson has helped considerably.

I think I would choose tree polen to be allergic to also, I always feel sorry for people who get really bad hay fever in the summer months.

Wild Canon I agree with you on Dysons, they are a triumph of human engineering!

I used to think I got terrible hay fever but in fact its an allergy to the faeces of the house dust mite. Your GP can ask the local pathology lab to do a RAST test on a sample of your blood to see what your allergen is.

For years I found any anti-histamine useless, but for the last year using a beconase nasal spray has changed my life!

I know what you mean Jay I am asthmatic and also suffer from Hayfever (or so I thought) But the hay fever seemed to stay with me longer and longer almost never leaving. Eventually after many visits to the doctor we found out that it was allergic rhinitus, if I cough my sinus's fill up and if i sneeze it sets of my wheezing,using beconase nasal spray has helped me considerably too.