Pollen Allergies In Children
We understand that hay-fever allergies can be challenging for parents to deal with. This is why our team is on hand to make the process more manageable, giving you the support and advice you need to treat your child effectively.
What Causes Hay-Fever In Children?
Hay-fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, is a common condition that affects the nose, eyes, throat and ears. It affects children allergic to pollen and the condition is most common throughout the spring and summer, as this is when seed plants are released into the wind. Symptoms usually occur from 5 years of age and peak in the teenage years. Some children can have symptoms earlier than 5 years of age, but it is not usually present in infants.
Although seasonal allergic rhinitis is prevalent, the condition can occur all year round. This is known as perennial allergic rhinitis. The condition can be complex as multiple types of pollen exist, such as tree, grass, weed pollen and moulds. This allergic condition is often more common than parents think, affecting up to 30% of children in the UK.
Symptoms Of Hay-Fever In Children
There are several common symptoms of hay-fever in children that are easy to identify, this includes:
- Itching eyes/nose
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Blocked nose
- Throat clearing /snorting
If you are a parent who suffers from hay-fever, you will notice that the symptoms are generally the same in adults as in children. Although the symptoms are similar, their severity can vary. Some children will show no signs of the symptoms listed above, and hay-fever will not drastically impact their lives. Unfortunately, others can be severely affected by the condition and may need treatment.
When To Seek Paediatric Help
Most children can ease their hay-fever symptoms with over-the-counter medication. If you find over-the-counter medication doesn’t work, you should seek advice from a medical professional, like our support team here at Children’s Allergy Doctors. Children who suffer from additional allergic symptoms like asthma will often find their hayfever can be more serious. Therefore, paediatric help is advised. Even without asthma, the condition can be debilitating. Some children’s ongoing symptoms can make their school and personal life challenging. Therefore, we recommend identifying any pollen triggers that affect your child to help them with allergen avoidance and to find suitable treatment options.
Long-Term Effects Of Hay-Fever On Your Child
If hay-fever is left untreated, it can lead to various upper respiratory issues, which can be particularly difficult for children with asthma. In some cases, persistent symptoms can lead to the development of long-term conditions such as sinusitis. However, this is not common.
Parents can seek comfort in knowing that hay-fever is not generally classed as a dangerous condition. Most children suffering from hay-fever will find that the condition improves over time. We offer a wide range of services here at Children’s Allergy Doctors to help them better manage their condition. If you would like to know more about the services we provide, such as hay-fever management, don’t hesitate to book an appointment today via our website.
What parents say:
“Dr. Brough is patient, thoughtful and thorough in her approach. She’s got great bedside manner and was a hit with our 5 month old son. I really appreciated how she helped to explain everything to us and made somewhat complicated elements very simple and manageable.”