Treating seasonal allergies in kids and toddlers

Do your kids develop cold-like symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, and congestion during a certain period of the year? Well, your child could be having seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever. These makes, allergies occur when the outdoor moulds release their spores or when trees, weeds, and grasses discharge pollen into the atmosphere.

Luckily, there is a way to handle the common symptoms experienced by kids with seasonal allergies, as shown below:

Change Clothes and Do Laundry

Pollen makes a fine powder produced by flowers, trees, and weeds, among other plants. It’s among the most typical causes of allergy in kids and toddlers. House occupants are often responsible for introducing pollen into your home; unknowing to them, it clings to their skin, hair, and clothes.

If your kids have hay fever, it will help if all your household members wash their hands, face, and hair or even had a change of clothes before entering your home. This will go a long way in keeping your house pollen-free.

If your children spend most of their time in the bedroom, you will want to change that. Ideally, keep them out of the bedroom during the day by moving their play toys somewhere else and have them take a shower before bedtime.

Talk To Your Paediatrician about Medication

When it comes to relieving allergy symptoms, such as sneezing and itchy eyes, you may be tempted to give your children some medication when they have a flare-up and stop when the signs disappear. However, remember that allergy medication works best when taken consistently. Your child will be safer if you give them medication on their first sneeze and continue until the allergy season comes to an end.

Also, most allergy medications are available over the counter without a prescription. If what you’re giving your children is working, there’s no need to contact your paediatrician. However, you’ll want to call your doctor if symptoms persist; there might be something else affecting your child besides the allergies.

Here are the commonest medications for allergies:

Nasal Steroids 

Steroids are superior medication for nasal congestion, which occurs following an inflammation of the sinus and nasal tissues. This medicine goes a long way in eliminating the mucus and swelling inside the nose. As a result, your child’s nasal passage will be less sensitive and unlikely to get irritated by allergy triggers, such as animal dander, pollen, and dust mites.

• Eye Drops

Eye drops will come in handy when treating symptoms like bloodshot eyes, itchiness, swollen eyelids, and a burning sensation in the eyes. The most typical causes of eye allergies include dust, pollen, and pet dander. Artificial tears will go a long way in washing out these triggers. However, if your child’s eyes have a thick discharge and are painful, this is probably not an allergy; call your doctor immediately.

• Antihistamines

Antihistamine is an over-the-counter medication often referred to by brand names like Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Allegra (fexofenadine). Histamine is a chemical released by your body to perform significant functions in your body, such as communicating a message to the brain and triggering stomach acids for digestion.

This begs the question; why do your kids need antihistamines? When histamine levels are excessive or when they’re not broken down properly, they affect proper body functions and bring about common allergic responses like a food allergy. Antihistamines serve to reverse the effect of excessive histamines in your child’s body.

TIP: Depending on your child’s allergy symptoms, the above interventions may prove appropriate. The recommended dosage is often outlined in the medication’s container. However, it’s essential to consult with your doctor if these interventions fail to alleviate your kid’s symptoms.

Control the Outdoors Play Time 

Most parents like the idea of their kids playing outside. This is understandable because you probably want your child to obtain vitamin D from the sunshine and play actively. However, if you have an allergy sufferer, you need to dictate when they can play outside or remain indoors.

Windy and dry days affect kids with allergies most, and areas with numerous plants are tough on them. Luckily, many weather apps and sites comprise a local pollen count; ideally, you should check on this before making your outdoor plans. You also can’t control your kids’ movements all season; when you let them out, it’s essential to use medication.

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Your child may stay indoors when the count of mould spores and pollen is high outdoors, but this isn’t the ultimate solution to their troubles. Pet dander, dust mites, and indoor mould can also trigger allergies. The most efficient way of improving your indoor air quality is through the use of a dehumidifier.

Here are three ways in which a dehumidifier keeps allergy symptoms in check.

• Combats mould growth

When allergy sufferers breathe in mould spores, they might begin to cough, and their eyes could become itchy. Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis triggered by mould allergy include sneezing, stuffy nose, scratchy throat, and itchy eyes. Also, mould allergy is strongly linked to asthma, and exposure may lead to difficulties in breathing.

A humid atmosphere creates the ideal environment for mould to grow and thrive. Good solution is to utilise an appliance that can help combat mould growth by reducing your indoor environment’s humidity levels, forcing mould to remain dormant and reduce the air contamination thus make it easier to inhale.

• Eliminates Dust Mites

Dust mites generates microscopic organisms that often thrive in beddings. They get everything they require from your toddlers’ beds, including moisture, warmth, and a constant supply of food (dead skin). Dust mites also breed in a moist environment.

Increase Sleep and Exercise Time

Just like babies need more lullabies when combating flu or colds, extra sleep can also alleviate your kids’ and toddlers’ allergy symptoms. This is because our bodies function best when we’re sleeping. Similarly, exercising is an excellent way of reducing allergic symptoms in kids. Physical training increases the breathing rate, improves blood flow, and serves as a distraction from annoying allergies.

Even when your kid is feeling under the weather, create a fun way to get them into exercising. However, you will want to avoid outdoor activities on high-pollen days and opt for indoor exercises.

Final Thoughts

Seasonal allergies are allergic symptoms that intensify during certain times of the year. It’s ever joyful when winter ends, and spring arrives, but not when your kids and toddlers are allergy sufferers. Allergic reactions are often triggered by dust, pollen, pet dander, mould spores, and dust mites. Upon coming into contact with an allergen, your child may experience sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, red, itchy eyes, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Fortunately, these symptoms are manageable through medication, reduced exposure to allergens, exercising, extra sleep, and improved air quality.