Spring is wonderful. After a long cold winter, the sun comes out, the snow melts away and the flowers begin to bloom -- the flowers, the ragweed and the trees too!
Not that long ago, seasonal allergies were not a concern for my family. But the spring when my son turned 4, allergies became a major concern. It started innocently enough with a cough and itchy eyes. But within days he was having trouble sleeping, his eyes were puffing up and it was definitely making him uncomfortable. My heart broke seeing him so uncomfortable!
We quickly consulted with our pediatrician only to find out some of the things we were doing with the intention of helping him, were actually worsening the situation!
Here are some tips we learned:
***as always, consult with your pediatrician for the specific needs of your child!***
- Avoid going outside in the morning. Did you know pollen counts are much higher in the mornings then the rest of the day? Well I didnt! If your child has seasonal allergies it may be helpful to minimize their outdoor time in the morning hours.
- Keep windows closed. In my mind, fresh air was always a good thing. But when I actually thought about it, this tip became a pretty obvious. But its worthwhile to point out this includes keeping the windows closed during the overnight hours.
- Keep Hydrated. The coughing, the runny nose, the itchy eyes, and the medicines can all lead to dehydration. Plus, drinking plenty of water can prevent higher histamine production.
- Ask Your Pediatrician if You Can Initiate Allergy Medicine Before the Pollen Season Begins. There can be benefits to your child if you get them started on anti-histamines before the pollen season begins. There is no harm in asking!
And remember, the best part about seasonal allergies is that they have an end! So do your best for the duration of the pollen season, and look forward to summer.
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