HAY FEVER

HAY FEVER

(allergic rhinitis)

WHAT IS HAY FEVER?

Hay fever is an allergic reaction in which the membranes of the nose and eyes become inflamed. This reaction is "set off" when the person breathes in something to which he/she is sensitive to ("triggers"). Sensitivities include: pollen, molds, animal dander and dust mites. Timing: your child may have symptoms at any or all of these times:

Seasonal: related to pollen peaks (spring and fall)

Perennial: symptoms occur year around

Combination: perennial with seasonal increases in symptoms

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Symptoms may include: nose: clear, watery drainage, itching, stuffiness; eyes: itching, watering, redness, swelling; other symptoms: sneezing, itchy throat and ears, coughing, mouth-breathing, snoring darkening under the eyes, headache, and fatigue.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?

Often treatment for allergies begins with control of the environment to avoid or decrease the child’s exposure to things to which he/she is sensitive. If these measures are inadequate, medications and allergy injections (last choice) are also available.

1. ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL:

When the child has less exposure to things which trigger (set off) hay fever there should be a decrease in symptoms and medication need. Some changes are explained below:

Pollen control:

Pollen peaks (from trees, grass, ragweed, etc.) vary from spring through fall.

Pollen counts are highest from 5 am to 10 am.

Close bedroom window at night (use air conditioner, if you have one)
Avoid being outside when the pollen count is high
Have child shower/wash hair before going to bed (if he’s been outside)
Avoid playing with pets who have been outside
Avoid being present when grass is being cut (during pollen season)

Control inside the home:

Control allergy triggers: dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold
Focus first (most important place) on the child’s room
HEPA filters in the vacuum cleaner and air conditioner are helpful
Call the office for a sheet (allergy proofing your home) describing in detail the changes you can make in your home

NOTE: after you have made changes, it may be several weeks or months before benefits are seen (but these steps are helpful over time).

2. MEDICATIONS:

NOTE: call for advice on medication choices if your child is less than 2 years old

Antihistamines:

Help prevent symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes); these work best if taken before exposure to triggers. Antihistamines do not help much with stuffy nose (unless taken before symptoms begin). If child has daily symptoms, use these every day through the pollen season.

Non-prescription antihistamines (which may cause drowsiness) include:

Chlor-trimeton (available in liquid form)
Benadryl (available in liquid form)
Tavist tablets

Prescription antihistamines include:

Claritin (available for children 6 and older)
Zyrtec (available for children 2 and older)
Tavist liquid

Combination products:

These products contain both a decongestant (helps stuffy nose) and an antihistamine in one medicine. These are a good choice for significant, multiple symptoms. Examples include:

Benadryl Allergy/Congestion (available in liquid form)
Triaminic Syrup
Dimetapp

Nasal sprays:

Cromolyn Sodium (Nasalcrom)

Non-prescription, age 6 and older can use, helps with itchy, stuffy nose. Use daily, early in season (before symptoms start), mostly works as a preventative.

Steroid Nasal sprays (prescription)

Can be very effective. Start helping about 3-5 days after they are started.

3. ALLERGY INJECTIONS:

If the above measures do not help, your child might be referred to an allergist. Injections tend to work well for pollen, dust mite and animal dander; but are less effective for molds. (prescription nasal sprays are quite effective, and have decreased the need for allergy injections)

CALL THE OFFICE (during regular hours) IF:

Treatment (after 2-3 weeks) doesn’t control most of the symptoms
Child develops sinus pressure or pain
Child is missing school, work, or other activities because of hay fever