Allergies
The treatment of choice for any allergy is avoidance
monly referred to as hay fever (even though it has nothing to do with a fever), and medi- cally as allergic rhinitis. These symptoms can make it diffi cult
to sleep, causing daytime fatigue and dif- fi culty concentrating in school. For children with asthma, these seasonal allergies can be strong triggers that can lead to serious asthma symptoms. Some children can be allergic to just a few pollens during one season, while others can be allergic to many pollens during all the allergy seasons. The timing of an allergy season depends on the area in which you live. Your spring season starts with trees budding and your summer season with grass pollinating. Your fall season begins as summer starts to fade, and can continue until the winter freeze.
Seasonal Allergy Treatment The treatment of choice for any allergy is avoidance, but with pollen fl oating around, it’s not so simple. It can be helpful to remember that in order for pollen to cause
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the allergic reaction, it has to stay in direct contact with the eyes or the lining of the nose. Washing hands, face and hair (es- pecially before bedtime) and using saline solution designed for nasal or sinus fl ush- ing can help remove pollen and minimize the allergic reaction. Keeping bedroom windows closed so pollen doesn’t blow in the house also helps. Despite taking these precautions, your child may need medications. The most common seasonal allergy medications are available over-the-counter (OTC) and include non-sedating antihistamines, al- lergy eye drops and nasal steroid sprays. Each of these is designed to reduce the swelling, itching and drainage caused by the allergy reaction. If your child develops these symptoms during an allergy season, especially if it has happened around the same time in previous years, it’s reason- able to consult your provider to discuss the best options to treat your child’s symptoms and to try these OTC products. If your child is still having symptoms, make an appointment with your provider for a comprehensive assessment, includ- ing potential options for prescription medication and allergy testing. Knowing exactly what your child is allergic to can help guide efforts to minimize exposure and to use the right medications at the right times of the year.
Michael Corjulo, APRN, CPNP, AE-C, has been a PNP since graduating from the Yale School of Nursing in 1998 and a certifi ed asthma educator since 2003. He is a PCP with Children’s Medical Group in Ham- den, CT, the Health Coordinator for the ACES school system in the greater New Haven area and the Site Director of a CMS Health Care Innovations Award commu- nity asthma program.
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