The sun is shining, the grass is growing, the flowers are blooming… and your child is sneezing. As the weather warms up, many people start to experience seasonal allergies. Spring allergies are common among kids, and they can cause a range of symptoms, like sneezing, stuffy or runny noses, itchy eyes, coughing, and rashes.
If you suspect that your child has spring allergies, talk to their pediatrician to get a diagnosis and treatment plan. In the meantime, there are some things that you can do as a parent to help alleviate your child’s symptoms and make them more comfortable during allergy season:
- Keep the windows and doors of your home and vehicle closed, using air conditioning to stay cool.
- Wash hands, bodies, and hair frequently to clean off any hitchhiking allergens. Changing clothes after being outside is a good idea, too.
- Vacuum and dust regularly, and consider investing in a HEPA filter to run in the areas of the house your kids spend lots of time in.
- If your child has been given an allergy medication by their doctor, take it as directed. Confirm the safety of any over-the-counter allergy relief medicines with the pediatrician or pharmacist before use.