allergies
Pollen allergy in children
Pollen (a fine powder from grasses, trees, weeds, and flowers) is an example of an allergen. Asthma is the most common chronic lung disease in childhood – most of these children are also suffering from co-existing hay fever, with pollen being the most important allergen. By Dr Pieter J de Waal, Paediatrician and Allergologist, MediClinic, Bloemfontein
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ompared to adults, children spend more time outside and on grass layered sport fields. It is therefore not surprising that they are more vulnerable to environmental pollen allergies. The current, devastating effect of global warming has noticeably increased atmospheric pollen counts worldwide and has a dramatic negative effect on allergy sufferers, with poor asthma and hay fever control direct consequences. Windy days and thunderstorms are well known facilitators of pollen transmission and increase atmospheric pollen counts dramatically, making these conditions more favourable for pollen allergy symptom flares.
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