Hayfever
Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a seasonal allergic reaction to airborne allergens, such as pollen, that get into the upper respiratory system and affect the eyes, nose, throat and mouth.
Hay fever symptoms usually occur from March through October, although if your climate is warm year-round pollen can be present all the time. Other allergens, such as dust mites, animal dander and mold can also cause year-round symptoms. Hay fever, asthma and eczema tend to run in families.
It’s rare for babies and children under three years or so to suffer from hay fever, because they have to be exposed to allergens for some time before their bodies start to manufacture antibodies against them. If you older child has hay fever, his eyes may be red and itchy and he’ll have a runny nose, as if he has a mild cold. He won’t sleep so well and will be cranky from the resultant tiredness. You may notice that his symptoms seem to ease when he’s indoors and are worse if he’s been playing outside. If your child has asthma, hay fever can make it worse – your child may experience breathing complications.
Treatment
Consult your pediatrician about the best course of action for your child as some over-the-counter treatments cause drowsiness and aren’t suitable for children. She may prescribe antihistamines or a decongestant, or possibly both. If they don’t seem to relieve your child’s symptoms, you may be referred to an allergist for tests to find out what your child is reacting to.
Prevention
You can’t prevent your child from developing allergies if they run in your family – if he has a genetic tendency towards them he’s likely to develop them. However you can take steps to limit his exposure to allergens such as pollen, and this may delay allergies from developing. Likewise, if he already suffers from hay fever, you can reduce his symptoms by taking some simple precautions – follow these tips:
- Stay inside when the pollen count is high – usually mornings and evenings, especially if the weather is dry and breezy. Your local newspaper may publish a daily pollen count; if not you can find out what it is by calling 800-9-POLLEN (976-5536) between 8am and 8pm EST.
- Keep windows closed and use your air conditioning (this applies to your car too) – not only does this prevent pollen from getting in, it also prevents mold building up in your home.
- Make sure your child bathes or showers after coming in from playing outside.
- Don’t line-dry your laundry.
- Regularly change the filter in your home’s air conditioning unit.
- Use a dehumidifier to prevent mold build-up, and get rid of indoor plants (mold loves soil) or cover the soil with aquarium gravel.
- Wash and groom pets frequently and don‘t allow them in your child’s bedroom.
- Kill dust mites in your child’s soft toys by putting them in the freezer overnight and then washing them at a high temperature.
- Use allergen-proof covers on his mattress and pillow.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.