Fall can be a tough time for children who are allergic to ragweed and other plants that send out pollen in the fall. The start of school means increased exposure to other children which gives germs more of an opportunity to find them, and a busier schedule can often lead to a weaker response from their immune system. Here are 5 ways you can anticipate the fall allergy season and keep your child healthy.
1. Stay Informed About Daily Pollen Levels--If you child is allergic to fall pollen ragweed is the likely culprit. Allergies to this weed account for more than half the problems that fall pollen can generate. There are others weeds that send out pollen at this time of year including cocklebur, pigweed, tumbleweed, and sagebrush.
The internet allows you to get pollen count by zip code, and local TV, radio stations, and newspapers give pollen levels daily. If high pollen levels are likely to trigger an attack, consider having your pediatrician write a note that excuses your child from outdoor activities when the pollen climbs above a certain level.
2. Push Fluids--One of the body's ways of ridding itself of the pollen that it sees as harmful is to flush them with watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and by producing mucous that causes congestion. Keeping the body hydrated replenishes the fluids that are lost and keeps your child healthier, and feeling less depleted because of the constant loss of fluids.
3. Consider Over-the-Counter (OTC) Help--The last thing most parents want to do is to push a pill at their child. However, it only takes several days of your child's misery for you to take a look at over-the-counter medications that might offer some relief. Zyrtec and Claritin both come in children's doses and your pediatrician can recommend the one that might be most effective for you child.
Be sure to try them out on a weekend day first. Different children react in different ways. Some children don't react at all, some feel sleepy, and others become more active. How it affects your child will help you decide when to give it. If it causes sleepiness or increased activity, giving the dose a few hours before bedtime and/or after school will avoid having it interfere with school, but can still offer much-needed relief.
4. Provide Adequate Sleep Time--With the crowded schedule that fall can bring for children, it's easu for activities to encroach on adequate sleep time. Hold to a regular bedtime and insure that your child gets at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Allowing the body to rejuvenate is a healthy and natural way to keep your child feeling good.
5. Continually Filter Indoor Airborne Allergens--Regardless of how many precautions you take, pollen will get into your indoor air. Pollen attaches easily to hair, clothes and pets when entering from outside. Using a high efficiency particle arresting (or HEPA) air purifier that is specifically designed to remove airborne pollen is an essential allergy management tool.
Continuous filtration of your indoor air means that pollen levels are never allowed to increase to a level that is uncomfortable for your child. This kind of air cleaner is also able to work not only on fall pollen but on other normal airborne pollutants that are also present in your home all year long.
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