As the mercury rises and kids begin spending more time outdoors, itchy eyes and sneezing fits can put a damper on spring fun. Up to 9 percent of U.S. children suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis – also known as hay fever – whereby environmental allergens, such as pollen, aggravate the nose.
Dr. Frederick Leickly, a pediatric allergist at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, weighs in on how seasonal allergies can affect children and how parents can protect them as the seasons shift.
What symptoms signal seasonal allergies?
Telltale signs include: itchy eyes; itchy, runny or stuffy nose; sneezing; and cough. While these may sound suspiciously similar to cold symptoms, if your child exhibits these complaints longer than typical – a few weeks, say – seasonal allergies are likely to blame.
How do I know my child doesn’t have something more serious, like asthma?
Children with allergies may also develop asthma symptoms, like wheezing, cough or shortness of breath. In fact, asthma can actually be thought of as existing on the allergy spectrum rather than as a separate condition. Uncontrolled seasonal allergies can exacerbate asthma, so it’s important to see a physician if a child is showing signs.
What causes spring-time allergies?
Spring allergies are sparked by the pollen circulating through the air produced by plants, especially trees. In Indiana, spring allergy season generally spans March through June, when pollen is most prevalent. Summertime – June through early July – typically gives way to grass allergies, while ragweed and mold allergies tend to kick up in late summer from August to the second frost.
Why do some children develop seasonal allergies while others don’t?
Susceptibility to allergies can be passed down from parent to child, but genetics aren’t the entire story. It is a combination of genetics, exposure, plus the X-factor that triggers the process – no one knows exactly what is involved and why it happens at a certain time. Children can develop seasonal allergies even if they have never experienced them in the past, usually by their 10th birthday. They can also “grow” out of seasonal allergies as adults. About 15 to 25 percent will relapse every five to seven years, so these allergies can take time to outgrow.
What is the first step if a child has allergy symptoms?
Create an “allergy story” for your child, which details the specifics of his or her allergic reaction, including the timeline of events. This allergy story can later help a pediatrician or allergist determine the best treatment course.
If over-the-counter treatments are not effective or are not an option for your child, it’s time to schedule a visit to your child’s physician.
Oftentimes, physicians will start by recommending antihistamines to treat children’s seasonal allergies. Antihistamines work by blocking histamines – bodily chemicals that trigger allergy symptoms – which are released in the face of allergens such as pollen. If antihistamines do not alleviate a child’s allergy symptoms, other prescription medications such as topical nasal steroids may be explored. Additional options include the medication montelukast, which blocks another bodily process involved with allergies, as well as allergen immunotherapy.
Symptoms aside, can seasonal allergies be detected by allergy tests – and are these tests suitable for children?
After a physician has evaluated a child’s allergy story and hears that medications have either failed to control the symptoms or there are complications, an allergy referral may help. An allergist is trained to go over the story of symptoms and exposures and will select specific tests to verify an allergic cause for the problem. The “gold standard” for diagnosing allergies is the allergy skin test. Try to avoid getting blood test panels to diagnose nasal allergies.
What else can parents do to shield children from seasonal allergy discomfort?
While seasonal allergies may be unavoidable for young sufferers, their attendant misery doesn’t have to be. Monitor pollen counts and avoid spending too much time outdoors on high-pollen days this spring. I actually do pollen counts for the Indianapolis area, which I publish at: pediatricallergyindy.com. There, you can track the ebb and flow of seasonal allergens. You can also help your child breathe easy by checking in with your pediatrician or allergist before symptoms surface.
To schedule an appointment with a pediatric allergist at Riley at IU Health, call (317) 944-7268.
