Many allergy symptoms are irritating to some people, yet you know they aren’t that easy if you’ve witnessed your kid battle with respiratory allergies. In March 2016, a study published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology revealed that uncontrolled allergy symptoms — especially itchy eyes and a stuffy nose — can significantly affect the quality of life for kids.
Suppose your youngster isn’t sleeping well at night, is unwell during the day, or is limited in their activities. In that case, you should consult with a board-certified allergist to find out whether they have allergies and get the proper treatment to keep allergy symptoms under control.
While allergy treatment and management are critical, your child’s allergy symptoms may still flare from time to time. Here are some helpful tips and tricks for supporting your kiddo during allergy season:
What Are Seasonal Allergies?
Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, are reactions that occur when your body comes into contact with certain airborne particles. These particles can be found in pollen, dust, and mold spores. When these particles enter your child’s nose, they can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Itchy eyes
- Swelling of the eyelids
These symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable, making it difficult for your child to concentrate or sleep. Additionally, seasonal allergies can trigger asthma attacks in children who suffer from this condition. As a parent, it’s essential to be aware of these potential risks and take steps to help your child avoid them.
Tips to Help Kids Who Suffer from Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies are unpleasant for everyone, especially your child. Still, you can do a few things to limit their contact with allergens and improve the quality of their symptoms.
Close the Windows
Seasonal allergies are caused by a particular allergen, so avoiding that allergen should help reduce symptoms. That’s why if your child is ragweed allergic (fall pollen), they may not have any problems in the spring.
Keeping your car’s windows closed and avoiding pollen exposure is an easy method to avoid allergies. To keep pollen out, maintain the windows in your vehicle and house shut. On hot days, use the air conditioner to keep cool — just make sure it’s in recirculating mode so that outside, pollens-infested air isn’t allowed in.
That does not necessarily mean that you must shut yourself indoors for the whole season. Pollen levels vary day to day, and specific periods are more pollen-filled than others. By using an allergy tracker tool and app, you may keep track of daily pollen counts and allergen effects. Close the windows when those figures reach their peak and venture outside when they’re lower.
Wash Up and Change when you get Home
This one is significant if your child has asthma or another respiratory condition. Allergens can stick to clothes and hair, so it’s essential to ensure they’re clean before coming inside. A quick shower and change of clothes can make a big difference in their symptoms.
If you don’t have time for a shower, at least wash your hands and face, so you’re not tracking in pollen from outside.
Another good way to keep allergens at bay is to take off your shoes as soon as you walk in the door. This keeps pollen and other irritants from being tracked throughout your home. You can also ask everyone to leave their shoes by the door or in a designated area to keep things tidy.
Finally, make sure you’re doing a regular sweep of your home to remove dust and other allergens that can cause problems. A clean home is a happy home – and a healthy one too!
Be Thoughtful about Outside Time
As a pediatrician, I strongly encourage my patients to spend time outside. I want them to be active and get the sunshine that aids in the production of vitamin D. However if you have an allergy sufferer on your hands, you should weigh your options carefully before sending your kid outside.
Dry and windy days are the most difficult, as pollen can travel long distances and really irritate the sinuses. If possible, try to limit outside time on those days, or at the very least, have your child wear a face mask.
Another thing to remember is that grass and trees are not the only culprits for allergies. If your child is allergic to dust, they may react to playing in sandboxes or on dirt piles. You know your child best, so use your judgment to keep them safe and comfortable.
Get On Course With Natural Remedies to Support Allergies
Every child is unique, therefore it’s critical to collaborate with your child’s allergist or pediatrician to implement the most effective remedy for when his or her allergy symptoms flare up. However, there are also some all-natural remedies you can try to help your little ones feel better when pollen is in the air.
Here are five tips:
● Make sure your child is getting enough vitamin C. This essential nutrient helps bolster the immune system, which can be key in warding off unwanted sniffles and sneezes. You can find it in citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits, as well as leafy greens like kale and Brussels sprouts. Add a few extra servings into your child’s diet during allergy season
for an extra immunity boost.
● Give locally-sourced honey a try. It’s thought that by consuming small doses of pollen, you can help your body build up a tolerance to it over time. Start with just a teaspoon a day and work your way up, slowly incorporating it into things like oatmeal, yogurt, or even PB&J sandwiches.
● Encourage your child to take probiotics. These healthy bacteria can be found in fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut, and they’ve been shown to help reduce inflammation throughout the body. They can also help with digestive issues that are often associated with allergies, like bloating and constipation.
● Try using essential oils. Lavender oil is known for its calming properties, while peppermint oil can help clear congestion. You can diffuse them in your child’s room or add a few drops to a bath. Just be sure to do a patch test first to make sure your child isn’t allergic, and always diluted the oils before use.
Finally, make sure your child is staying hydrated. Drink lots of water and avoid sugary drinks, which can actually make allergies worse. Herbal teas like chamomile or ginger can also be soothing, and adding a little bit of honey can help with
congestion.
By following these tips, you can help your child feel more comfortable during allergy season.
Inform your Child’s School of their Allergies
Seasonal allergies can severely disrupt your child’s school day. In addition to being unpleasant, seasonal allergies may also cause sleep deprivation, making it more challenging to focus. You may observe that your child’s symptoms get worse at school. This could be because classrooms have more allergy-inducing triggers than at home.
If your child has allergy symptoms at school, talk to the teacher or a school official about ways to decrease your child’s contact with other children. This way, the school can be prepared in case of an emergency. The school should list all the students with allergies and what they are allergic to. They should also know what to do in case of a reaction. Some schools may even have a policy that prohibits certain foods from being brought into the school. This is to protect children with allergies. If your child’s school does not have a policy like this, you may want to consider talking to the school about implementing one.
In addition to informing the school, you should also talk with your child about their allergies. Teach them what they are allergic to and what they should do if they react. It is important that they know how to identify their symptoms and how to get help if they need it. You may also want to provide the school with a list of your child’s allergies and what they should do in case of a reaction.
Conclusion
No one wants to see their child suffer, especially when there are things we can do to help minimize the symptoms. Hopefully, the tips and tricks we’ve shared will help you and your family get through allergy season relatively unscathed.
If you have any questions or want more personalized advice, please don’t hesitate to reach out for a complimentary discovery call. We would be happy to chat with you about how we can support your family during this time.