As the flowers and trees continue to bloom this spring, you may notice your child starting to exhibit symptoms that may be suspicious for seasonal allergies. Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is the most common type of allergy and affects about 1 in 5 people in America (Healthychildren.org, 2015).
Allergies occur as an immune system response to certain harmless substances, or “allergens”. The immune system may interpret these allergens as a threat (similar to viruses or bacteria) and overreact in an attempt to protect your body, causing the symptoms. Some of these symptoms may include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, sneezing, sniffling, or itchiness in the mouth or throat. Some children may even present with signs of allergies on their skin, such as eczema or hives. There may be many outdoor or indoor allergens that can trigger symptoms in children. Especially during seasons such as the spring or fall, pollen from certain plants can be a common trigger. Indoor allergens may include dust, mold, animals, or ingredients in body care products or cleaning supplies.
Decreasing continuous exposure to potential allergens is one of the first steps to improving symptoms. We still encourage children with outdoor allergies to get outside to play, but upon coming back in, wash face and hands, change clothes, and avoid sitting on the bed or furniture in clothing that may be covered in allergens from outdoors. Be sure to wash linens weekly to keep them clean and allergen free. Using air conditioning when in the car or indoors can help decrease allergen exposure in the air as well. There are even allergen-proof covers for mattresses, pillows, and other padded furniture.
If you have concerns about your child’s symptoms and would like them to be further evaluated or want to discuss medication options, please schedule an appointment with one of our providers! If you know your child has spring-time allergies, check out www.pollen.com for your daily pollen forecast to anticipate symptom severity for each day!
Healthy Children. (November 21, 2015). Allergies. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/allergies-asthma/Pages/Allergies.aspx
Healthy Children. (July 25, 2023). Seasonal Allergies in Children. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/allergies-asthma/Pages/Seasonal-Allergies-in-Children.aspx