T ame Spring Allergies. Learn how to allergy proof your home

The flowers are blooming, birds are singing, the sun is shining … and the kids are sneezing. For children with seasonal allergies, warm spring breezes bring pollen, causing itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and runny noses. If you suspect your child suffers from seasonal allergies (also called hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis) first visit your pediatrician for a diagnosis and medical recommendations. In the meantime, although you can’t control the pollen count, you can control some of the allergens in your home with these tips.

Keep that pollen outside where it belongs!

On spring days, kids are more likely to spend time outside. Taking a before-bedtime shower or bath can wash pollen out of the hair. This keeps pollen and other allergens from falling on the pillowcase and being breathed in during sleep.

Pollen counts are highest in the evening. Consider taking playtime indoors on evenings when that pollen count climbs – or change into clean clothes after being outdoors to avoid spreading pollen around the house.

Grass is a common allergic trigger. Keep kids with allergies inside with doors and windows closed while the lawn is being

mowed. Then, stay inside until the grass settles.

If itchy eyes are a problem, wearing a wide brimmed hat and/ or sunglasses can help shield the eyes from pollen.

Allergen-proof the bedroom

One-third of every 24 hours are spent sleeping – more for younger kids! Because of this, it makes sense that controlling allergens in the bedroom can have a big impact on your child’s symptoms.

Dust contains all sorts of allergens including mold, pollen, and dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic bugs that are found on every continent except Antarctica. They live in even the cleanest of homes and according to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, they may be the most common trigger of year-round allergies and asthma. By controlling dust and dust mites in the bedroom, you can reduce exposure.

Start with the bed. Mattresses and box springs are a haven for dust and dust mites. Since you can’t wash these, encasing your mattress and box spring in dust-proof or allergen-impermeable covers traps dust and mites inside. Plastic and vinyl covers are least expensive and work well for kids still potty training – but

some find sleeping on plastic uncomfortable. Find allergen covers online and at most big box stores. Another good resources for all products allergy related is AllergyStore.com.

Once you have the mattress and box spring covered, turn your attention to the bedclothes and pillows. To kill dust mites, bedding must be washed weekly in water that is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Many homes with small children have the hot water heater set below this temperature to prevent scalding. If your water heater is set lower than 130, you can wash bed clothes at a commercial establishment or use an additive in the wash that kills dust mites.

Remember, you will need to wash pillows weekly as well. Or to make it easier, encase pillows in allergen covers; then you only need to wash the pillow cases. These allergen pillow covers come in many forms: cotton, polyester, and even vinyl. Most allergy sufferers feel that the cotton covers are most comfortable.

Dust and vacuum regularly, but do it early in the day so that any remaining dust has time to settle before bedtime. Always use a damp cloth to dust; using a dry cloth or feather duster stirs up more dust.

If you have wall-to-wall carpet, make sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter, which keeps what is sucked up in the vacuum from getting into the air.

Consider an air filter. There are many of these on the market at reasonable prices. You can use a free standing filter for small areas such as a bedroom or add a HEPA filter to your central heating or air conditioning unit. An air filter doesn’t help as much as frequent cleaning, however.

Close windows at night. Keep the allergens where they belong – outside.

If you have fur babies, try to keep them out of the allergic person’s bedroom. Even if your child isn’t allergic to dogs or cats, fur can trap pollen and bring it into the sleeping space.

You and your child can still enjoy the outdoors by controlling the home environment and leaving that pollen outside where it belongs.

For more information, visit aafa.org/page/pollen-allergy.aspx and aafa.org/page/dust-mite-allergy.aspx.

TIFFANY DOERR GUERZON is a freelance writer and the mother of three kids with seasonal allergies.