How to Manage Seasonal Allergies in Your Kids
Seasonal allergies can be tough for kids and, by extension, for parents too. If your child struggles with sneezing, itchy eyes, or stuffy noses once spring or fall rolls around, you’re not alone. The good news is there are practical steps you can take to help ease their symptoms and keep them feeling their best. This guide will show you how to manage seasonal allergies in your kids so they can enjoy the outdoors and all the joys that come with each season.
Visit Their Pediatrician
The first step to managing your child’s allergies is knowing exactly what they’re allergic to. A visit to their pediatrician will help you understand the triggers—whether it’s pollen, mold, or something else entirely. The doctor can recommend a treatment plan, which might include allergy testing or specific medications.
Confirm Your Ideas
If you suspect a certain test would be helpful, going to the pediatrician can confirm this.
Keep the Home Clean
Your home can be a sanctuary from allergens, but only if you stay proactive about cleanliness. Stay on top of these chores:
- vacuuming the carpets
- washing the bedding
- dusting and disinfecting surfaces
Other Cleanliness Tips
Consider using allergen-proof covers for mattresses and pillows to limit exposure during sleep. Even enforcing a rule of taking shoes off right in your home’s entryway can slow allergens from invading your space.
Be Mindful of Their Time Outside
While it’s important for kids to enjoy the fresh air, some days are better than others for outdoor play. Pollen counts tend to peak in the morning and can be especially high on windy days. Encourage outdoor time in the late afternoon or after rain, when pollen levels are typically lower.
After-Play Cleanup
Remind your child to change their clothes and wash up after playing outside to remove lingering allergens from their skin and hair.
Maintain Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system plays a huge role in the air quality inside your home. Changing air filters regularly and using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can trap allergens before they circulate. Schedule routine maintenance for your HVAC system to ensure it’s running efficiently and keeping your home’s air as clean as possible.
Additional Air Purification Methods
Apart from your HVAC system, an air purifier and dehumidifier are also helpful tools. You can run an air purifier all day to constantly filter out allergens in tandem with your HVAC. Likewise, running a dehumidifier will manage indoor humidity and therefore control mold growth, another very common and dangerous allergen.
Provide Natural and Over-the-Counter Medications
If your child has minor allergy symptoms, saline nasal sprays or local honey can alleviate their discomfort. For more serious cases, however, stick to over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants that their pediatrician approves.
Read Those Labels
Never guess at dosage quantity or timing. Carefully read all labels and adhere to the pediatrician’s advice.
You want to do everything to help your child feel their best all year long. Know that you know how to manage seasonal allergies in your kids, they can enjoy the beauty of each season comfortably.
