Tips for helping your child with seasonal allergies

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Spring means flowers, warmer temperatures, and more time outdoors but for many that might not be a pleasant thought. For many with seasonal allergies aka hay fever it means runny nose, sneezing, congestion, watery swollen eyes and more pesky symptoms. It’s tough on anyone especially a child, when all they want to do is play outdoors, they’re tired of being cooped up inside. As a parent, it is very difficult watching your child suffer from seasonal allergies. It’s not a cold it doesn’t go away within a week, it’s constant for months. It not only effects your child but yourself as well.

My oldest’s been suffering from seasonal allergies for about 4 years now. We are no experts on allergies though, just things we’ve learned along the way. He’s also never had the allergy test, to find the specific thing he’s allergic too. His doctor assumes it’s at least a tree pollen. Most of the tips below will help anyone suffering allergies with only a few geared specifically towards children.

Talk to your doctor. If you suspect seasonal allergies, the first step should be make an appointment to see your physician. The doctor will be able to hear all the symptoms, subscribe your child medication if needed and give you their tips. Talk to your child’s doctor about decongestants and/or nasal sprays, if either of those would be helpful to your child.

Start antihistamine on February 14. The earlier you start the better, give your body time to build up the meds in your system before the season hits. If it’s already past 2/14, that’s okay just start them right now and remember the date next year. – My son does really well with this antihistamine.

LOCAL honey. Local being in all caps, because when you are eating local honey you are ingesting local pollen. A spoonful a day will help keep the allergies at bay ;)

Elderberry. Start taking elderberry everyday, not only does it help fight the flu and cold but it’s supposed to help with seasonal allergies as well. Ask your local honey shop if they make elderberry syrup as well. – These are easy gummies for children and adults over 4

Shower every evening. It’s best to get in the habit of your child showering every evening during allergy season. Pollen gets caught in your hair throughout the day and if you don’t wash it out before hitting your pillow, your breathing that in all night.

Wash hands frequently. Not only should your child be washing their hands after the bathroom but throughout the day too. Especially after playing outside, they should immediately go wash their hands. If they must touch their face, make sure they wash their hands first.

Eye drops. Eye drops are a must have for my son during allergy season, his eyes get so swollen at times from pollen getting in them. Carry eye drops with you, ask your doctor to write a prescription so the school nurse can keep one at school. If your child is too afraid of eye drops, don’t worry maybe by next season they’ll be more comfortable.

Talk to the school. On high pollen count days set up an alternative to outdoor recess time, maybe they could go read in the library or in the office. No they aren’t getting their exercise for the day but it will be much better than having a miserable day of allergies. Ask if your child can wash hands anytime they return from outdoors.

Avoid high pollen days. Try and avoid going outside on dry, windy days. Best time to go outside is after a rainy day, the rain helps clear the pollen from the air. I also like to frequently check the weather channel for the pollen warnings.

Air conditioning. When pollen count is high, keep the windows closed and run the air conditioner. When driving in the car run the air conditioner and close the outdoor circulation.

Essential Oil. Some essential oils help soothe allergy symptoms, you can put the oils into a diffuser or get a roller and easily roll some on your child’s chest, behind the ear, on the wrist. If you are purchasing a premade oil, make sure your child isn’t allergic to any of the ingredients.

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