Allergies and Hay Fever in Children: What Parents Should Know

If your child seems to constantly battle a runny nose, itchy eyes, or persistent congestion, allergies may be to blame. Millions of people suffer from nasal allergies, commonly known as hay fever, and children are no exception.

Despite what many people assume, fragrant flowers are rarely the culprit. Their pollen is too heavy to become airborne. The real triggers are often less obvious, and identifying them is the first step toward helping your child feel better.

Why Does the Body Develop Allergies?

Allergy symptoms appear when the immune system reacts to a substance that has entered the body as though it were an unwelcome invader. The immune system produces special antibodies to recognize that substance if it enters the body again in the future.

When the allergen returns, the immune system rapidly recognizes it and triggers a series of reactions, including tissue inflammation, blood vessel dilation, and the release of histamine.

Histamine is responsible for the most familiar allergy symptoms: itchy and watery eyes, nasal congestion and nasal obstruction, headaches, sneezing, nose bleeds due to dry nasal passage, scratchy throat, and shortness of breath.

Less commonly, allergies can contribute to balance disturbances, skin irritations such as eczema, and respiratory problems like asthma.

Symptoms of Allergies and Hay Fever

Allergy symptoms can range from mildly annoying to significantly disruptive, and they can vary quite a bit from child to child.

The most common symptoms include:

  • Itchy, watery eyes
  • Nasal and sinus congestion
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Scratchy or sore throat
  • Headaches
  • Hives or skin irritation
  • Shortness of breath

Less commonly, children may also experience balance disturbances, skin conditions such as eczema, and respiratory issues like asthma. In children with year-round allergies, symptoms can also include recurrent ear infections, snoring, mouth breathing, and poor performance in school, symptoms that are sometimes mistaken for other conditions entirely.

It is worth noting that allergy symptoms can look a lot like the common cold, which is why many parents don’t immediately connect them to an allergic response.

The key difference is duration. Colds typically resolve within a week or two, while allergy symptoms tend to linger for weeks or months, or recur at the same time each year.

If your child’s symptoms follow a pattern or never seem to fully go away, allergies may be worth investigating.

What Are Common Allergens?

Many everyday substances can act as allergens. The most common include pollen, mold, dust, animal dander, feathers, certain foods, chemicals, and some medications.

Pollen

One of the most significant causes of allergic rhinitis in the United States is ragweed, which begins pollinating in late August and continues until the first frost.

Late spring symptoms are often triggered by grass pollens, while early spring hay fever is most commonly caused by tree pollens, including elm, maple, birch, oak, walnut, and cottonwood, among others.

Flowering plants, despite their reputation, rarely cause allergy symptoms.

Household Allergens

Some allergens are present year-round.

These include house dust, pet dander, and certain foods and chemicals. Symptoms caused by indoor allergens often worsen in winter when homes are closed up and ventilation is reduced.

Mold

Mold spores are another common trigger and are present both indoors and outdoors throughout the year.
Outdoor mold tends to thrive in dead leaves and farm environments, while indoor mold commonly grows in bathrooms, damp areas, indoor plants, and old books.

Mold is also found in certain foods.

How Can Allergies Be Managed?

While allergies are rarely life-threatening, they can be extremely disruptive and painful depending on the severity.

Allergies cause missed school days, poor academic performance, disrupted sleep, and a significant decline in quality of life.

Effective symptom control usually requires a multi-pronged approach, which may include minimizing exposure to known allergens, medication, and in some cases, desensitization therapy.

Medications that can be helpful when used properly include antihistamines, nasal decongestant sprays, steroid sprays, saline sprays, and cortisone-type preparations.

Some over-the-counter options are effective, though certain formulas may cause drowsiness.

These can help reduce the negative impact of allergies and stop allergies from turning into chronic allergic rhinitis, which can be very painful.

When Should You See a Specialist?

An otolaryngologist, an ear, nose, and throat specialist, is well positioned to evaluate allergy-related problems in children.

In addition to taking a detailed history and performing a thorough examination of the ears, nose, and throat, an ENT can offer guidance on environmental controls and evaluate whether a structural issue such as a deviated septum, nasal polyps, or recurring sinus infections may be contributing to your child’s symptoms.

Testing to identify specific allergens may also be recommended. In some cases, subcutaneous immunotherapy (allergy shots) or sublingual immunotherapy (allergy drops) may be advised — a method of gradually desensitizing the immune system to specific allergens, with the goal of long-term relief.

It’s also important to note that if you have other health conditions, you should see a specialist earlier. This includes children with allergies and chronic sinusitis, recurring ear infections, ear wax buildup, nasal deformities, and more.

Tips for Reducing Allergen Exposure at Home

There are a number of practical steps parents can take to reduce their child’s allergen exposure at home and outdoors:

  • Wear a pollen mask when mowing grass or cleaning the house
  • Change air filters regularly in heating and air conditioning systems and consider a HEPA filter in bedrooms
  • Keep windows and doors closed during heavy pollen seasons
  • Wipe down pets when they come inside to remove pollen from their fur
  • Use daily saline nasal rinses to cleanse the nose and sinuses
  • Remove sources of mildew from the home
  • Keep dander-producing pets out of the bedroom where possible
  • Switch feather pillows and woolen bedding to cotton or synthetic materials
  • Enclose mattresses, box springs, and pillows in a plastic barrier
  • Sleep with the head of the bed slightly elevated to help relieve nasal congestion
  • Speak with your child’s doctor when symptoms flare up or become difficult to manage

How MPENTA Can Help With Allergies and Hay Fever

If your child’s allergy symptoms are affecting their breathing, sleep, hearing, or overall quality of life, our team at Michigan Pediatric ENT Associates (MPENTA) can help.

While we are not allergists, our pediatric ENT specialists are experienced in evaluating and treating the nasal and airway complications that so often accompany allergies in children — including nasal obstruction, chronic sinusitis, ear infections, and sleep disordered breathing.

Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation at a location near you.

 

American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery
1650 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, VA 22314-2857
Phone: 1-703-836-4444 Copyright 2014. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions. This information was reviewed by ENT professionals.