5 Ways to Help Manage Your Child's Summer Allergies

Nearly 20% of kids have a seasonal allergy, according to the CDC, with symptoms that can include sneezing, headaches, itchy or watery eyes, itchy skin, wheezing, and coughing. Allergy symptoms can be uncomfortable for kids of all ages, especially if they also have asthma.

At Sunny Hill Pediatrics, Min Jung, MD, and his team also offer treatment for summertime allergies and asthma. Here, learn five ways you can help your child manage their allergy symptoms this summer.

1. Understand your child’s triggers

Allergies happen when your body’s immune system overreacts to specific substances called allergens. Knowing which allergens trigger your child’s symptoms is essential to learning how to manage symptoms.

There are hundreds of potential triggers, but the most common summertime triggers include pollen, mold spores, and smoke from campfires and barbecues. Once you pinpoint your child’s triggers, you can take steps to avoid them or at least have medication on hand that can help control them.

2. Keep track of the pollen count

Pollen is one of the most common summer allergy triggers for kids and adults, thanks to all those beautiful Texas wildflowers and trees in full bloom. Even crops release pollen.

Keeping track of the day’s pollen count is a great way to reduce your child’s allergy symptoms. You can find daily pollen counts at Pollen.com and the National Allergy BureauTM. 

In general, pollen counts tend to be lowest in the early morning, gradually rising through midday and reaching their peak levels in late afternoon and evening. Ideally, schedule outdoor activities for your child during the morning hours to prevent symptoms from occurring. 

3. Be mindful of indoor air quality

Regarding summer allergies, most focus on outdoor allergens that trigger symptoms. But indoor air can also cause allergy symptoms to flare up.

You can improve indoor air quality by closing windows on days with a high pollen count. You should also change your air conditioner filters frequently to get rid of mold spores and change or clean air purifier filters routinely. If you use a dehumidifier, be sure to empty the reservoir every day.

Frequent dusting helps eliminate pollen from your windows or carries in on clothing or shoes. Invest in a vacuum with an advanced HEPA filtration system to be sure you’re trapping as many allergens as possible.

4. Follow outdoor play with a quick shower

Pollen and mold spores are so sticky they can easily cling to your child’s clothing, hair, and skin. After a day of playing outdoors, encourage your child to take a quick shower to rinse away pollen and then change into clean clothes.

Please have your child wash their hands thoroughly for quick lunch breaks or other indoor activities. This simple step prevents them from transferring allergens from their hands to their eyes or nose, triggering sneezing, watery eyes, and other symptoms.

5. Establish an allergy treatment plan

Lots of allergy medications are available without a prescription. Still, before beginning any over-the-counter product, you should call our office to ensure it’s safe for your child. Scheduling an office visit is a good idea, especially if your child has severe symptoms or suffers from allergies routinely. 

An office visit gives our team a chance to review your child’s allergy symptoms, triggers, and overall health profile. Then, we can work with you and your child to design an allergy management plan to help your child stay comfortable and enjoy plenty of summer fun.

Relief for seasonal allergies

Don’t let summertime allergies keep your child — and your family — on the sidelines. To learn how we can help your child find relief for their symptoms, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Sunny Hill Pediatrics in Frisco, Texas, today.