What you need to know about seasonal allergies in kids
Itchy eyes, runny nose, a scratchy throat … seasonal allergies shouldn’t be the reason kids miss out on key moments and having fun. Here’s what parents can do to help.
Seasonal allergies, often called hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis, are super common and can affect up to 30 per cent1 of kids.
All too often it can lead to little ones withdrawing from playtime or being too tired and uncomfortable to take part in activities. Which is no fun at all, for children… or parents.
How do I know if my child has allergies?
Recognising allergies in your child is essential if you’re going to provide them with the necessary relief.
Common signs2 can include itchy or watery eyes, sneezing, a runny or blocked nose.
Tiredness and daytime drowsiness could be some other symptoms.
What are the most common allergens in kids?
The most common allergens3 that affect children include pollen, dust mites, mould spores, and pet dander (or hair).
For seasonal allergies, though, it’s pollen that is often the culprit. This can come from trees, grasses, and weeds, especially during spring and early summer.
The link between adults and kids allergy sufferers
A link between adult and child allergy sufferers is likely.
If you are an adult allergy sufferer, your child is more likely to experience allergies as well.
Research shows4 that if one parent has hay fever, their child is more likely to develop hay fever than a child whose parents don’t have hay fever. If both parents have allergies the chances are even higher.
Identifying allergies versus coughs and colds
It can be tricky for parents to distinguish between allergy symptoms and the common cold5.
Allergies are typically persistent and occur during specific seasons, while cold symptoms can include fever and body aches.
What can I do to help my child?
Advances in medicine mean that allergies don’t have to rob kids of their carefree moments and playtime.
Thanks to non-drowsy relief options such as Telfast, children aged two years and over can experience the joys of childhood without that dreaded runny nose, Itchy eyes and throat.
Telfast is available not only in tablet form, but also easy-to-take liquid syrup format for littlies.
For hives, Telfast’s versatility extends even to the youngest members of the family, and can be administered from just six months of age!
Also, try to reduce exposure to allergens
To reduce hay fever frequency, it also helps to pinpoint the type of pollen responsible and minimise contact if possible.
Try keeping windows closed, using air purifiers, and frequently washing clothing.
You can also monitor regional pollen counts to anticipate hay fever flare-ups.
And there you have it. With Telfast on board and a common sense approach, your child can enjoy every season just as they should, footloose and fancy free!
* This post is brought to you by Telfast Oral Liquid. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
1Hay Fever. The Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital. [Online] [Cited: 23 Oct 2023.] https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/hay_fever/.
2Hay Fever. The Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital. [Online] [Cited: 23 10 2023.] https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/hay_fever/.
3Hay Fever. Raising Children Network. [Online] [Cited: 23 10 2023.] https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/hay-fever.
4Westman M, Kull I, Lind T, Melen E, Stjarne P, Toskala E, Wickman M, Bergstrom A. The link between parental allergy and offspring allergic and nonallergic rhinitis. Allergy2013;68: 1571–1578.
5Pritish K. Tosh, M.D. Cold or allergy: Which is it? The Mayo Clinic. [Online] 2022. [Cited: 23 10 2023.] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/common-cold/faq-20057857.
