According to the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), around 1 in 5 Australians and New Zealanders are affected by hayfever, including our children.
Known in the medical community as allergic rhinitis, hayfever often occurs in the springtime when a higher pollen count may set our noses sniffling.
If your little one has a case of hayfever it can be an uncomfortable experience. Discover 3 handy tips to provide your child hayfever relief.
How Do I Know If My Child Is Experiencing Hayfever?
Due to a significant overlap in symptoms, it might not always be easy to tell when your child is experiencing hayfever.
A runny nose, sneezing and coughing are all characteristics of both the common cold and hayfever, so it may be challenging to tell the difference between the two.
However, there are some tell-tale signs that your little one’s sniffles are due to a pesky pollen count, including irritated eyes and the duration of symptoms. If you’d like to learn more about how to distinguish a cold from seasonal allergies, you can find more information here.
If you have any concerns about your child’s symptoms, take them to see your local health professional.
How May I Provide My Child Hayfever Relief?
As a parent, no one likes to see their little one feeling poorly. So what can you do that may help to relieve their symptoms?
Consider The Cause
If you suspect your little one is experiencing hayfever, your first port of call should be your friendly GPs office. They will be able to assess your child’s individual symptoms and may make suggestions for reducing their exposure to potential triggers.
After all, if you can identify the cause of the hayfever you may be able to avoid it in future and, in turn, avoid the pesky symptoms that come along with it.
Next time your child’s runny nose kicks in, pay close attention to their surroundings. Are their potential allergens in their immediate vicinity? Take note of likely triggers to discuss with your health professional and try to minimise your little one’s exposure to them.
Consider The Weather
There’s a reason Spring has a reputation for triggering runny noses across the country. With a greater likelihood of windy days, thunderstorms and blooming flowers with their abundant pollen,
Year-round, keeping an eye on the weather forecast may help to reduce your child’s hayfever symptoms.
On days when the pollen count is high, try to plan for indoor activities.
Similarly, the aftermath of a thunderstorm may also contribute to allergic rhinitis as the wind is a great pollen carrier and the humidity may cause pollen grains to burst.
If your little one must go outside on these days, a pair of wrap-around sunglasses may help to minimise their exposure.
Remove The Mucous
If your child experiences a case of the sniffles associated with their hayfever, clearing out the excess mucous may help to temporarily relieve their discomfort.
Depending on their age, it may be as simple as encouraging them to blow their nose. Alternatively, you may wish to use a nasal aspirator to softly suction out the mucous.
Saline, a steamy bathroom, or a humidifier may also help to loosen your little one’s mucous and reduce their congestion.
What's Next?
If you found this information useful, you may enjoy the following:
Allergies And Hayfever: How To Help Relieve Your Symptoms
Reasons Why Your Child May Have A Runny Nose And How To Help
