Seasonal allergies are common but can be very difficult for a child to deal with. More than 35% of children suffer from allergies each year. As a parent, this can be tough to handle, especially while most just finished helping their child fight off cold symptoms.
Hemant Sharma, M.D., M.H.S., the chief of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Children’s National Health System in Washington, DC has provided the recommended tips below to help parents manage their child’s allergies and reduce agitation.
Be proactive about body protection
Prevention is the best way to avoid allergy-triggering stimuli like pollen and dust. Give your children sunglasses to prevent watery, itchy eyes. When returning indoors for the day, take a shower to wash off anything that may trigger a reaction and to prevent pollen from lingering on clothes or in hair.
Administer allergy medication in advance
Antihistamines will be your go-to for managing allergy symptoms. Some antihistamines are short-acting, and some are on a time release, lasting up to 24 hours. These are safe for kids when administered correctly, so pay close attention to the drug facts on the back. Non-sedating antihistamines can be used during the day without causing drowsiness.
Nasal sprays and eye drops are also good options. If the allergy symptoms still persist, ask your pediatrician about seeing an allergist to undergo allergy testing and discuss other options, such as prescription medication or allergy shots.
Shut the windows and close the doors
It’s tempting to keep the doors and windows open in the springtime, but doing so will attract the outdoor triggers that can cause an allergic reaction. Close the doors once inside, and try to keep the windows shut to minimize indoor pollen.
Dr. Sharma serves as the director of the Food Allergy Program at Children’s National. His main areas of research interest include health disparities in food allergies, and novel immunotherapies for food allergies.
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