How to relieve seasonal allergies

In spring, many flowers, trees, weeds and grasses release millions of windborne pollen grains – and climate change may increase pollen concentrations and extend pollen seasons through summer to autumn, note authorities such as the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Allergy Foundation of South Africa.

If your little one has allergic rhinitis or ‘hay fever’, it is important to take steps early to protect them and help relieve symptoms.

What are the signs of allergies?

Sneezing or a congested, drippy nose; red, itchy, watery eyes; and sometimes a sore throat, coughing, irritability and poor sleep. “Other signs and symptoms include dark circles under their eyes from congested nasal passages, and headaches from the pressure of congested sinuses,” says Cape Town allergologist and paediatrician Dr Pieter de Waal. 

What causes allergies?

While most people are not affected by pollen and other potential allergens (dust mites, pet dander and moulds), those with allergies have an overactive immune system, which identifies certain normally harmless particles as dangerous. It reacts by releasing chemical agents, including histamines. These cause the mucous membranes in lining of their nose to become inflamed, leading to a terrible itch and the production of watery nasal secretions to wash away the particles, resulting in sneezing and nasal dripping.

What is the difference between an allergy and a summer cold?

“A low-grade fever generally between 37.5 and 38.5⁰C, together with fatigue, and a thick, discoloured nasal discharge, indicate a cold rather than an allergy,” says Dr De Waal. “If little ones have nasal symptoms, together with watery, itchy eyes, with dark discolouration, especially below the eyes, they probably have an allergic rhinitis.” See your health provider. They may refer you to a paediatric allergologist, who can confirm the diagnosis, investigate for possible other causes of your child’s nasal and eye symptoms, and perform allergy tests, to identify a culprit allergen. 

Take steps to avoid exposure to pollen

Follow the pollen counts for your area at www.pollencount.co.za, and schedule outdoor activities around them. When counts are high, close the windows of your home and car, and keep your little one indoors at peak pollen times – mid morning and early evening. If they must go out, they should wear a face mask and wraparound shades. You can also apply a little Vaseline in the entrance to their nostrils, says Dr De Waal. 

How to relieve allergy symptoms

Speak to a paediatric allergologist about testing, to narrow down the pollen culprits. For allergic rhinitis, the go-to treatment is antihistamines, now available in non-drowsy formulations such as loratadine and desloratadine. “Avoid sedating (first generation or older) antihistamines. These are well known to cause drowsiness and poor concentration,” says Dr De Waal. Starting regular antihistamine medications a few days before the pollen season has been shown to improve symptom control in hay fever, reports the Allergy Clinic. 

Also ask about nasal or oral decongestants – some have side effects and can cause ‘rebound’ congestion if used longer than five days. A simple saline nasal spray may help flush out the nose and clear it of allergens. “In older children, a corticosteroid nasal spray is also strongly encouraged,” says Dr De Waal. “These sprays have been shown to address especially nasal congestion, sneezing and itching, and also relieve eye symptoms commonly associated with hay fever.”

Investigate allergen immunotherapy

If symptoms persist and are not controlled by pharmacotherapy and allergen avoidance strategies, ask your doctor if your child qualifies for this. It entails introducing a small amount of allergen into their system and can be delivered through an injection or sprays under the tongue. Typically, a course of immunotherapy is undertaken for three years, says Dr De Waal. “Early immunotherapy has also been shown to protect against asthma development later in life, especially in grass allergic children. This treatment gradually ‘tricks’ the immune system to see the allergen in small quantities as acceptable, and over time, teaches the immune system to develop tolerance to allergens.”

For more information, contact the Allergy Foundation SA, 081 405 8442, email [email protected] or visit www.allergyfoundation.co.za.

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