Parenting 101: Top Tips To Manage Seasonal Allergies In Children

Allergies can be easily managed at home. With early interventions, parents can help their children with allergies get through the season in a healthy manner. Read all about what a doctor has to suggest.

Children's health in winter: Just like adults, children's health needs attention, too, especially in the winter season, when there is a rise in allergies. An allergy happens when the immune system overreacts to harmless substances like pollen, mold spores, pet dander, and even dust mites. Common symptoms include sneezing, nasal blockage, itchy or watery eyes, cough, and tiredness, which may present more seriously in children, affecting the comfort of their being. According to Dr Mohan Mahendrakar, senior consultant, neonatologist and pediatrician at Motherhood Hospitals, Kothanur, while indoor allergens like dander of pets and dust mites can trouble children all year round, they become worse in winter, because kids spend a greater time indoors. Identifying what causes allergies is essential in controlling the allergy reactions of children. Read on to find out more.

Tips On Prevention And Management Of Allergies In Children

Dr Mahendrakar says if your child is continuously suffering from allergies, it is important to seek the help of an allergist, who can do allergy testing to determine exactly what allergens trigger the symptoms, and which therapies -- such as immunotherapy (allergy shots) -- may provide long-lasting relief. If symptoms like wheezing or breathing difficulty arise, parents must seek further medical assistance.

The expert shares these four important tips on prevention and management of allergies.

1. Reduce allergen exposure: Check pollen counts and stay indoors as much as possible during high pollen times, including the morning hours, and on windy days. Seal the windows in your home and car to keep allergens out. Ask your child to wash their hands and face after being outdoors. Change of clothes and a quick shower after playing outside is ideal.
2. Ensure a cleaner indoor environment: Use HEPA-filtered air purifiers to filter out the air from allergies. Regularly vacuum carpets and furniture with the appropriate HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner. Wash bed linens and curtains on a weekly basis.
3. Medications and remedies: Over-the-counter antihistamines and sprays can provide relief from stuffy nose and itching. Simple saline rinses can clear the nasal passages of allergens. If, despite these measures, symptoms persist, the child's physician should be consulted to prescribe further treatment in the form of allergy shots and medications.
4. Nourish the immune system: Diet is a key factor in managing allergy. Avoiding one type of diet can reduce the extent of allergy. By incorporating lots of vitamin C into your diet, you may be able to find some relief. Eat citrus fruits and strawberries. Fish or flaxseeds, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, may also offer relief. Probiotics like yogurt or fermented foods can assist with gut health, which can boost immune health.