ALLERGY SEASON is here! If your child suffers from seasonal allergies, there are many things you can do to help them feel better, either through simple changes in their exposures to medication when needed.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis (commonly known as hay fever) is mainly an allergy to outdoor allergens, such as tree pollen, grass, and mold spores. If your child sneezes, has itchy red eyes, or a runny or runny nose during the spring, summer, or fall allergy seasons, they may have hay fever. If your child has these symptoms, here are some ways you can reduce their exposure and their symptoms:
- Keep your windows and outside doors closed as much as possible during the allergy season to keep the pollen from entering your home.
- Have your child wash their hands after outside play to remove pollens before they touch their eyes, nose, and mouth. If possible, have them shower as well to wash the pollens off their bodies and hair, especially before climbing into bed.
- Have your child change clothes after play outside.
- Keep pets out of the bedroom, especially if they play outdoors. Pets bring in pollens and mold spores on their coats and feet.
- You can keep tabs on the local pollen count on various local news websites and the National Jewish website, and adjust your outside play time if needed during high pollen count days.
If needed, you can also use over the counter antihistamines, such as loratadine (generic Claritin), cetirizine (generic Zyrtec), or fexofenadine (generic Allegra), and/or allergy eye drops. Follow the label guidelines according to age for children over the age of 2, and call us if you have any questons, if your child is under age 2 and you suspect allergies, or if your child's symptoms are not relieved by the above measures. We may then want to see your child to discuss prescription medicine options or further allergy testing.