As the seasons start to change, you may notice that your children have started to get the sniffles. When spring is in the air, all the plants begin to release pollen, and seasonal rains bring ragweed and mold spores. While it starts to look more colorful outside, it can be a bit more difficult to experience while your kids are stuck with allergy symptoms.
Local pediatricians can help ease your child’s woes so they can get outside and play without worrying about a cough or sneezing. The following are some tips to help minimize the effects of allergies.
1. Keep the Window Closed
As temperatures start to warm up, you might be tempted to open a window to let in fresh air. Overall, this is okay and might actually be encouraged so as to lift everyone’s moods in the house and bring much-needed circulation into the home. However, this is also the number-one way of introducing allergens to the house and increasing the risks of allergy symptoms.
To be honest, it should be okay to keep windows open, but you should avoid doing so in the bedroom, especially if your child is taking a nap there or sleeping at night. Another way to avoid allergies is to make sure that any fans are directed away from your child’s face, as they can increase the risk of developing allergies to dust and other allergens.
2. When in Doubt, Look for Antihistamines
If your child is particularly sensitive to allergy symptoms, you may need to consult local pediatricians for help. If the symptoms are severe, they may prescribe a particular medication that can counteract allergy symptoms. If not, they might recommend an over-the-counter medication that can help your child deal with symptoms.
You should be aware that most antihistamines cause drowsiness, so they are not recommended when your child goes to school. However, there are some non-drowsy medications that work just as well. Consult your pediatrician if necessary.
3. Check for Asthma
Allergies are commonly misdiagnosed as asthma symptoms and vice versa, which can have lasting effects on your child’s health. There is such thing as seasonal asthma, but you should always make sure that you visit an allergy specialist to make sure that your child actually has asthma and then seek treatment from there. Many local pediatricians will work closely with a specialist in order to provide personalized care and facilitate communication between medical professionals.
The springtime is the time when your children can finally go outside and enjoy the fresh air after a long time being stuck indoors due to winter weather. If you start to notice sniffles or other respiratory problems when your child returns from a long day of playing outside, you should consult local pediatricians to figure out what it might mean. It is important to catch allergies as soon as possible so they may be treated properly. That way, your child has better chances of growing out of them completely as they reach puberty and adulthood.