There are different treatments for seasonal allergies including topical or oral medications. It is important to note that there is no cure for seasonal allergies but rather treatment options that can help alleviate symptoms caused by allergies. So what medicine do children with seasonal allergies apply?
1. What are seasonal allergies?
Seasonal allergies are sometimes called seasonal allergic rhinitis. These allergy symptoms occur at certain times of the year, usually when trees, flowers, and weeds release tiny pollen grains into the air for pollination. The immune systems of people with pollen allergies treat these particles (called allergens) as invaders and release chemicals, including histamine, into the bloodstream to fight them. It is the release of these chemicals that causes allergy symptoms.
Seasonal allergies can start at almost any age, although they usually don't develop before a child is 2 years old. Most people with seasonal allergies develop symptoms by age 20.
2. Symptoms of seasonal allergies
If your child develops "cold" symptoms at the same time every year, it could be due to seasonal allergies. Allergy symptoms, which often appear suddenly and last when a person is exposed to an allergen, can include: sneezing, itchy nose and/or throat, stuffy nose, runny nose.
These symptoms are often accompanied by itchy, watery and/or red eyes, known as allergic conjunctivitis. Children with coughing, wheezing and/or difficulty breathing in addition to these symptoms may have allergies that trigger asthma.
3. How to diagnose seasonal allergies?
Talk to your doctor if you think your child may have seasonal allergies. The doctor will ask if similar symptoms occur at the same time each year after your child's exposure to the allergen and conduct testing. Your doctor may recommend either a diagnosis or an allergy skin test (called a skin prick test) or a blood test.
To find out which allergen is causing a person's symptoms, doctors often do a skin prick test. During a skin prick test, the doctor drops a small amount of liquid containing the allergen into the skin by making a small scratch or sting in the skin. They usually examine the skin on the patient's forearm or back. Then wait about 15 minutes or so to see if a raised red bump, called erythema, forms. If yes, there may be an allergy. The doctor uses a ruler to measure the redness and surrounding redness.
Even if a skin test or blood test shows an allergy, the child must have symptoms to be diagnosed with an allergy for sure. For example, a child who tests positive for grass pollen and sneezes a lot while playing in the grass would be considered allergic to grass pollen.
3. What is the seasonal allergy to apply?
There are ways to treat seasonal allergies, depending on how uncomfortable the symptoms are. An important part of treatment is knowing what your child is allergic to. Some children can get relief by reducing or eliminating their exposure to the allergens that make them uncomfortable.
If certain seasons trigger allergy symptoms, close windows, use air conditioning when possible, and stay indoors when pollen counts are high. Children with seasonal allergies should also wash their hands or shower and change clothes after playing outdoors.
If reducing environmental exposure is not possible or effective, doctors may recommend medication to treat allergy symptoms. Medications to treat allergies include oral antihistamines, eye drops, nasal drops, and steroids.
Topical allergy medicine for children should be used only as prescribed by a doctor, including topical corticosteroids, such as prednisone, and hydrocortisone creams that are safe when used short-term for certain conditions. allergic reactions on the skin, but the drug can cause many side effects, so use it only when prescribed by a doctor.
In a nutshell, seasonal allergy medications for children can help treat symptoms, but they can't completely treat allergies. It is important to use these medications correctly and to follow your doctor's orders. Identifying allergens and avoiding them is essential to protecting children from the risk of seasonal allergies.