By Trung Nguyen Pharmacist, B. Pharm.
H
ayfever is a common allergy, affecting every one in five people in Australia. And while hayfever is usually harmless, it can cause a great deal of physical discomfort among kids and disrupt their sleep — making them irritable and tired which isn’t pleasant for them or their parents.
So, what exactly is hayfever, why does it wreak havoc on us in spring and summer, and what can we do to relieve the symptoms of this allergy among children?
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Hayfever, also called allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction that occurs when air-borne pollens and dust mites get into the nose, throat and eyes, causing inflammation. If your child is allergic to pollens, then they are likely to experience seasonal hayfever in spring and summer when these plants and trees are actively releasing their pollens.
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Perennial hayfever on the other hand can happen all year round and is brought on by the presence of dust mites, animal fur or hair, and mould spores.
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The symptoms of seasonal or perennial hayfever are similar though, and may include a runny or blocked nose, red and watery eyes, itchy throat and roof of the mouth, sneezing and sniffing. While unfortunately there is no cure for hayfever, thankfully there are preventative measures you can take to minimise your child’s exposure to the allergens that trigger it and provide relief to treat symptoms when they do occur. Here are some of the options.
PREVENTION Reducing or eliminating exposure to the allergens that trigger your child’s hayfever symptoms is the first step you should take to prevent its onset. If their hayfever is seasonal, try to limit outdoor play on days that are especially warm and windy as this is when pollen is most likely to be circulating. You can track the level of pollen circulating using the Pollen Forecast app.