One of the most common allergies among children and adults is from that dreaded spring and summer pollen. Allergies happen when your immune system attacks substances that are for the most part harmless to humans. Pollen, as well as grass, weeds, and trees would not affect most people, but in those who are allergic they can be difficult to handle regularly. In kids with pollen allergies it’s very important to develop good habits early on so they can carry those into their adult lives. You don’t want them wheezing and coughing all day at school, so it’s best to create habits in their lives in order to avoid this. This is our list of the best practices to ensure your child avoids those pesky allergy symptoms.
Staying Clean
While yes they should be bathing regularly regardless of their allergies, it’s even more important when they have a pollen allergy. They’ll be running outside with friends, or at school and they can bring that pollen into the home on their clothes or in their hair. We suggest changing into fresh clean clothes and washing up right as they get home so they can avoid pollen allergy symptoms.
Shielding the Elements
Keeping your home closed does not mean in the sense that nobody is allowed to come over. However we do suggest that you keep windows and doors shut as often as possible to avoid the pollen from entering the home. Instead, run the AC on low to keep the house feeling fresh and allow for clean air to stay in the house. If pollen gets in the house it can make everyday life tough for your children.
Be Mindful of the Outdoors
Playing outdoors is a part of every child’s life and a pollen allergy in kids should not take that away from them. This is why we say to simply be thoughtful of where they are going to be. For example, fields with tall grass, or moist swampy areas can harbor a significant amount of pollen that could affect your child. Also, areas with freshly cut grass make them extremely susceptible to feeling common symptoms of their allergy such as wheezing, sneezing and coughing.
Checking Pollen Counts
Make sure you are able to track pollen counts, much like you track the weather. If they are elevated make sure they keep activities indoors so they aren’t exposed to the higher levels of pollen. If it is unavoidable to be outside, make sure you go back to our first tip and change their clothes immediately, and they must wash themselves thoroughly.
Covering the Eyes
A lot of the pollen allergies in kids affect the eyes, so we suggest covering them as much as possible. This does not mean wearing an eye mask or walking around blindfolded! Instead have them wear a hat and sunglasses if they are going to be outdoors. This protects them two-fold. Firstly from the pollen which is obvious, but it can also help protect them from the sun which is also important.
Keeping a Tidy Home
While keeping a clean home has many benefits in general, it is also key when dealing with kids with pollen allergies. All day long people are coming and going from the home and bringing in pollen. This sticks to things like sofas, rugs and bedding so it is important to regularly keep them clean. We also suggest getting your air ducts cleaned at the very least once every three years, and more often if possible. You don’t want an accumulation of dust mites which can also exasperate their pollen allergy symptoms.
Talking to Your Pediatrician
Finally, and this is only for parents who feel they need extra help maintaining their child’s pollen allergy, consider medication. Many children have allergies that are a bit more severe than your average child, for them we suggest medications that can alleviate their symptoms. Make sure to consult your pediatrician on which medications are safe and work well with your child’s particular allergy. This can truly help your child if their day to day lives are affected by pollen allergies.
At Coastal Kids we take your child’s health very seriously, and tips like these can be very helpful to parents who aren’t sure what to do. The key is to add some of these practices into their regular lives so it doesn’t seem like a task or something that’s obligatory. It should be a habit that they get used to, that way as they get older they continue it in their own lives. Allergies can be very frustrating especially for young children, so the more you can avoid them feeling symptoms the better. Make sure you always talk to your pediatrician about what they are feeling and stay in contact with them if their symptoms seem to worsen. Pollen allergies can be tough, but if you take the right steps your child can lead a completely normal life, even if they take a break to smell the flowers.