Hay Fever

Incidences of hay fever and allergies in children have been rising over last few years. Hay fever doesn’t usually affect children until they’re about seven, and older children and teenagers are more susceptible to the allergy than adults.

Hay fever usually affects children in summer and spring. It also can run in families. Usual symptoms will include runny nose, sneezing , itchy eyes,watering of eyes etc.

Not all children will have all the symptoms of hay fever. If a child has hay fever type of symptoms throughout the year and not just in hay fever season it is likely that he/she has another type of allergy. This may require blood test or skin prick tests.

Hay fever is generally prevented by avoiding exposure to grass and tree pollen during hay fever season and particularly when the pollen count is high.

You can take following steps to protect your child:

  • Keep windows closed at night so pollen doesn’t enter the house.
  • Buy your child a pair of wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen entering their eyes.
  • Smear petroleum jelly around the inside of your child’s nose to trap pollen and stop it being inhaled.
  • Wash your child’s hair, face and hands when they come back indoors and change their clothes.
  • Don’t let them play in fields or large areas of grassland if you are known to be allergic to grass or tree pollen or other outdoor allergens.
  • Use air filters to try to reduce pollen that’s floating around the house.
  • Keep the car windows shut when driving.

If a child has hay fever type of symptoms throughout the year and not just in hay fever season it is likely that he/she has another type of allergy. This may require blood tests or skin prick tests. Other symptoms related to allergies are vomiting, skin rash, swollen lips, swollen eyes, and rarely breathing difficulties and collapse (anaphylactic reaction).

Appointments

I carry out blood tests and skin prick tests in out-patient clinics. It does not require hospital admission. If you suspect your child has allergy related symptoms and you would like it to be investigated please contact my secretary on the numbers on my contact me page.