How to Manage Your Child’s Hay Fever

WHAT IS HAY FEVER?

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to an airborne substance such as dust or pollen. It can result in itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, sinus pressure and nasal congestion.

Talk to your pediatrician

Seasonal allergies can be significantly uncomfortable, even for young children, and especially if they have other conditions such as asthma. Reach out to your child’s pediatrician if you suspect your child has seasonal allergies. They will be able to tell you what daily allergy medication is best for them!

Allergy medication isn’t cutting it? Here are some extra things you can implement at home!:

1. Air conditioning

Running your air conditioning in your home and while in the car can help filter out allergens from coming indoors and lessen the severity of allergy symptoms while indoors.

2. Extra Laundry!?

Just what you need right?? But really— changing your child’s clothing after school or playing outside will help relieve their allergy symptoms. If your child suffers from indoor allergies as well such as indoor molds or dust, be sure to wash their sheets and pillow cases regularly. There are also mattress protectors and pillow cases that help filter out harmful allergens.

3. Daily Showers/Bath

Bathing your child daily after playing outdoors will wash away any leftover allergens in their hair or on their skin and help prevent their allergy symptoms from disturbing their sleep.

4. Be aware of outdoor allergens coming into the home

Try to keep windows and doors closed as much as possible during the day to prevent airborne allergens spreading through your home. Pets are also guilty culprits for trekking allergens into the home after playing out in the grass or flowers beds.

5. Nasal saline

If your child is really struggling with nasal congestion, try nasal saline spray or drops! These solutions can be purchased over the counter at your local drugstore. You either spray the solution up your child’s nostrils or put a couple of drops in each nare. This helps loosen up the nasal secretions so they can be expelled. Encourage your child to blow their nose a couple minutes after administration of the solution. Bonus points if you can get them to let you suction with a bulb syringe or nose frida!

This time of year is wonderful for outdoor play, so don’t let allergies get in the way! Reach out to your child’s pediatrician if it is significantly impacting their daily activities.

Written by: Chase Best, RN, BSN, IBCLC

**Disclaimer: “the information provided in this handout is not a substitute for medical advice/care from your pediatrician. There may be variations of advice your doctor may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances”***

Sources: Healthychildren.org : written by the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) CDC.org