Handling Allergies & Hay Fever

They look so pitiful with their runny noses and itchy eyes. Here’s what you can do to minimize the suffering of allergies and hay fever this spring!

Runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and stuffy nose are some of the more common things that are seen with seasonal allergies. The full cause of allergies and why some children are affected and others are not, are not fully understood. The tendency to have allergies is often passed on in families. Recognizing symptoms is the first step in helping your child deal with this irritating illness. Children will often rub their eyes and nose when they are bothered by allergies. They can have dark circles under their eyes and even redness or swelling. Breathing through the mouth because the nose is too stuffy also occurs.

Allergies occur when children come in contact with an allergen. Common allergens are pollen, molds, house dust mites, animal dander and saliva, trees, grasses, and sometimes foods and insect stings.

There are things you as a parent can do to help your child avoid some of these common allergens. Avoid the tendency to open all the windows in the house and turn the attic fan on, during nice days. This pulls pollens and allergens into the house and can make your child miserable. Sleep with windows closed. Pollen counts are highest when the sun is rising. If your child has been outside playing, remove clothing and bathe to remove pollen from clothing and bodies. Bathing at night, so children don’t sleep with allergens in their hair or on their body, may also help. Carpet can hold a variety of allergens.

Sleeping 8-10 hours a day, as most children do, means children spend a lot of their day in their bedrooms. Removing carpet from the bedroom will limit their exposure to these allergens. Keep stuffed animals out of children’s bedrooms and especially out of beds. Stuffed animals collect dust mites which some children are allergic to. If your child has an allergy to an animal, do not allow these animals in their bedrooms and especially not in their beds. Household plants will often have mold. Keep these out of children’s bedrooms and limit them in the household. Your child’s pillow should be a non feather, man-made pillow and you’ll want to avoid down comforters. Enclose mattresses and pillows in allergy proof covering and wash bedding in hot water once a week.

There are several medications available to help children with allergies. Some over the counter options include Benadryl and Claritin. Read the boxes and watch age and weight dosing. For questions regarding these medications contact your pediatrician. If despite all your efforts your child is still having problems with allergies, contact your pediatrician.

Dr. Cindy Kirby-Diaz is a pediatrician at Cockerell & McIntosh Pediatrics, P.C. Since 1950, Cockerell & McIntosh Pediatrics has been providing quality care for babies, toddlers, and children through the teenage years.

Dr. Cindy Kirby-Diaz