Spring is upon us, and with it, you may notice the pesky symptoms of allergic rhinitis, also known as seasonal allergies. If your kids are constantly sneezing or sporting a runny nose, itchy throat, or nasal congestion, they may have seasonal allergies on their hands.
Unfortunately, many parents mistake seasonal allergies for a cold or bug they picked up at school. Yet, the sooner you start treating their symptoms like seasonal allergies rather than a one-off event, the better off you’ll both be. Here’s what you should know about how to survive seasonal allergies.
What Are Seasonal Allergies?
Seasonal allergies are allergy symptoms that occur at certain times of the year. They often occur in spring when the trees, grasses, and weeds release small pollen particles that help to fertilize other plants.
Some people are allergic to pollen and their bodies treat these particles as invaders. As a result, their immune systems will release chemicals like histamines to defend against them. This release is what causes the symptoms. You may also hear seasonal allergies referred to as hay fever or allergic rhinitis.
Common Allergy Symptoms in Children
Allergy symptoms often look like cold symptoms, which can be confusing. Here are the most common allergy symptoms that may appear in your child.
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose and/or throat
- Nasal congestion
- Clear, runny nose
- Postnasal drip
- Fatigue and poor concentration in school
- Increase in ear and sinus infections
- Asthma exacerbations
- Behavioral issues from discomfort and lack of sleep
If you notice your child coughing, wheezing, or experiencing shortness of breath, they may have allergies that trigger asthma.
How Do Seasonal Allergies Differ from a Cold or Fever?
There’s no way around it. Kids get sick a lot. When you see your child’s nose running again, you may assume that they just picked up yet another bug from someone in their classroom. Yet, if their symptoms are recurring over weeks and weeks, then you may be scratching your head.
Sometimes parents who have never dealt with seasonal allergies themselves won’t identify it as easily in their children. They may just think it’s a prolonged cold.
However, context is key when it comes to seasonal allergies. If your child gets these symptoms every year around the same time, especially after being around an allergen, then it could be more than a cold. Allergies are often ongoing rather than a 10-day event like a cold.
Additionally, springtime allergies often give children more of an itchy and sneezy feeling than when they are sick from an infection. So, it’s important to ask how they are feeling and understand if their symptoms are staying persist day to day or if they seem to be resolving over time.
Furthermore, seasonal allergies are often called “hay fever,” but this title often causes more confusion than anything. One symptom that is never associated with seasonal allergies is a fever. If your child is spiking a fever, they likely have some other type of infection or illness that the body is fighting.
How Are Seasonal Allergies Diagnosed and Treated?
If you suspect your child may have seasonal allergies, visit your doctor. They’ll ask you questions to see what the best course of action is. In mild cases, your doctor may recommend reducing exposure or taking over-the-counter allergy medication.
If your child has severe allergies, your doctor may recommend doing an allergy test. In this case, they’d give you a referral to an allergist who will conduct an allergy skin test or blood test.
After a diagnosis is made, you and your doctor can discuss the potential treatment options.
13 Ways to Manage Allergy Symptoms
Are seasonal allergies ruining your child’s ability to focus in school or play outside with friends? Use these tips to manage their symptoms! You can try many of these before you even bring them to the doctor as they primarily focus on stopping the spread of pollen and mold that can exacerbate symptoms.
- Limit their exposure to pollen and mold as much as possible. If it’s possible to stay inside or avoid an area with a big pollen event, don’t unnecessarily expose your child.
- Bathe them (both hair and body) after they play outside. Kids will be kids, of course. You can’t keep them inside all the time, but you can make sure they’re clean once they come in. Once you bathe them, put them in fresh, clean clothing. This helps to stop the spread of pollen inside your house (especially to their bedding).
- Keep the windows and doors shut during pollen season as much as possible. It’s nice to have a breeze inside your house as the weather warms up, but it can create issues for anyone who has allergies.
- Run the air conditioning on low during spring to continually clean the air in your home. You don’t have to blast your AC but having it on can help to mitigate some of those allergens.
- Get an air purifier to help minimize any allergens in your home. If you don’t have an AC unit, or if it’s just not cutting it, this can be a great alternative.
- Don’t allow your child to play in moist areas (inside or outside) where mold could grow. For instance, if you have an unfinished basement, it may not be the best spot for your child to play.
- Have your child stay inside when the grass is being mowed. The grass is a common allergen and simply staying inside while it’s being mowed can help your child avoid an allergy attack.
- Give them a mask to wear if they go outside in the morning or on windy days. Seasonal allergies are often significantly worse in the mornings and on windy days as everything gets stirred up. If they must go out, give them a mask to help filter out the allergens.
- Wipe down pets with a damp towel or paper towels after being outside because they can bring pollen and mold indoors. We love our furry friends, but they can track in allergens. Just as you bathe your child after they come in, give them a quick wipe down.
- Follow pollen counts and note the days when they peak so you can consider indoor activities. This isn’t something that most people track, but you may notice it has a big influence on the way your child feels.
- Give them a billed hat and glasses to minimize pollen exposure to the eyes. This can be an easy compromise if your child loves to play outside, but you know that the allergens bother their eyes during the spring.
- Take them for allergy testing (if recommended by your doctor). Talk to your doctor about any specific concerns you may have. If your child has always suffered from allergies, understanding what exactly they are allergic to can be incredibly helpful in treating it moving forward.
- Use medication like antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, or immunotherapy (allergy shots). There are many treatment options if you’re beyond the point of simply trying to limit exposure. Again, talk to your child’s pediatrician or allergist to see what the best option is for them and their needs.
Final Thoughts
Do you need help surviving seasonal allergies? Are you unsure of which medications would aid your child most? Jacksonville Pediatric Care Centers provide care. Dr. Benitez and his team of Jacksonville pediatricians work around the clock to provide exceptional pediatric care, including seasonal allergies.
