It’s a beautiful sunny day. There’s a light breeze and not a cloud in the sky. All your children want to do is run around and play – but seasonal allergies have them feeling less than their best.
Seasonal allergies are the worst. Pesky pollen can cause bothersome symptoms like:
- Sneezing
- Itchy or runny nose
- Congestion
- Sore Throat
- Coughing
- Red, irritated, itchy eyes
- Wheezing or trouble to breathe (less common)
As parents, we want to do everything for our kids to ensure they stay happy and healthy. That includes doing all we can to alleviate seasonal allergy symptoms.
First, you should chat with your pediatrician about if any prescription medication is needed. But simple solutions like adding a cool mist ultrasonic humidifier to their bedroom could help improve their breathing all day long. Here are eight must-have items for children with seasonal allergies.
- Non-Prescription Non-Drowsy Allergy Medication
Consult your doctor for the best treatment for your child’s allergy symptoms. Unlike cold symptoms, allergy medication works best with consistency. Rather than only administering a daily antihistamine if they have a runny nose, continue to give your child a dose of their allergy medication daily for the best results.
Common over-the-counter non-drowsy allergy medications include:
- Children’s Claritin (loratadine)
- Children’s Zyrtec (cetirizine)
- Children’s Allegra (fexofenadine)
These second-generation antihistamine products don’t cross the blood barrier and are less likely to have any side effects associated with stronger allergy medications. Benadryl, a first-generation antihistamine product, can cause drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, and other side effects. Most healthcare providers don’t recommend this for children under six, especially for daily use.
Be sure to read the active ingredients on all medications to avoid doubling up on oral antihistamine treatments, as this could be dangerous for your child. If their symptoms don’t seem to improve with non-prescription methods, you may need to work with your pediatrician to find the prescription medication to help.
2 Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier
Seasonal allergies can impact your child’s ability to breathe properly, even inside the house. Common allergens like pollen can stick to clothes and come in through windows. Don’t let a stuffy nose keep your little one up all night. A cool mist ultrasonic humidifier in your child’s bedroom can help them breathe easier all night long.
The cool mist ultrasonic humidifier will add much need moisture into the air, which will help open alleviate dry and itchy nasal passages and relieve congestion. The ultrasonic technology is quiet enough that the fan won’t keep your child up in their cool mist ultrasonic humidifier. They’ll sleep comfortably through the night.
3.Clean Change of Clothes
One of the easiest ways to prevent allergy symptoms from getting out of control is to stay inside, which can be challenging when you have busy children who want to run around. If you do, take them to the park or play in the backyard, and have a change of clothes handy for when you come back inside.
Pollen can stick to the fabric of your kid’s pants and t-shirt and continue to irritate them even when you come back inside the house. Have them wash their hands and swap their shirt to prevent pollen from sticking to them all day.
Hand Wipes
4.Keep your children’s hands clean on the go by keeping gentle wet wipes in your purse or car. Not only will this prevent them from catching a cold or flu, but it will also keep the pollen off their hands and out of their eyes.
5.Cold Compress
Little ones don’t know any better and will touch their face and eyes when playing outside. If they have seasonal allergies, this could cause their eyes to become red, puffy, itchy, and irritated. Use a cold compress to gently cleanse the pollen from their eyes and help them feel refreshed. Leave it on their eyes for a few minutes to reduce swelling.
6.Antihistamine Eye Drops
If your child suffers from itchy eyes during allergy season, an oral allergy medication may not be enough to calm irritation. You can safely use antihistamine eye drops alongside oral antihistamine to offer your child relief. Eye drops aren’t recommended for children under three of age.
If, after two days of using oral antihistamines and eye drops, your child still has irritated eyes, you should consult with your doctor, especially if
- Their eyes are swollen shut
- They have discharge other than tears
- Or they have a fever.
These symptoms could be signs of conjunctivitis, which requires prescription medication.
Neti Pot
Sometimes seasonal allergies cause severe nasal congestion. A Neti Pot can provide relief by clearing nasal passages. You’ll create a saline solution by mixing sterile water with salt and baking soda. For children, cut the measurements of the dry ingredients in half.
You’ll use your Netti pot to pour the saline solution into your child’s nostril at a 45-degree angle. The water will flow into one nostril and out the other, clearing the sinuses. Always wash your Netti Pot after use and follow all instructions. Talk with your doctor if you have any questions about using a Netti Pot for your child.
7.Tissues with Lotion
When allergy symptoms strike, your child will go through a lot of tissues between sneezing and blowing their nose. Protect their sensitive skin from further irritation by providing soft tissues with soothing lotion or aloe.
Don’t let hay fever stop your family this allergy season. Be consistent with your allergy medications, keep your hands clean, and use cool mist ultrasonic humidifiers in your bedrooms to ensure you breathe easily through the night.
