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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nAs the warmth of spring begins to fill the air, so does the pollen that triggers seasonal allergies in many children. Seasonal allergies tend to start around March in Canada, and last until October or sometimes later depending on the specific allergen. Follow this KixNurse written comprehensive guide to learn how to effectively recognize and manage the symptoms of your child\u2019s seasonal allergies at home.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
What are seasonal allergies?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSeasonal allergies, often called hay fever or allergic rhinitis, are when kids react to things like pollen in the air during specific seasons. These allergies aren’t caused by viruses or bacteria and usually start in kids over 2 years old. Watch out for signs like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Sneezing<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Clear runny nose, congestion<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Itchy and\/or watery eyes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Itchy nose, palate, inner ear, or throat <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Postnasal drip or throat clearing, sometimes with a cough<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
No fever is present, as this is not associated with a viral or bacterial infection but an allergen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Allergens through the seasons in Canada:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSpring<\/strong>: Tree pollen (from birch, maple, oak, and more)<\/p>\n\n\n\nSummer<\/strong>: Grass pollen (Like timothy, Bermuda, ryegrass, and more)<\/p>\n\n\n\nFall<\/strong>: Weed pollen (Like Ragweed).Year-round<\/strong>: Mold spores, pet dander, and dust mites may be present year-round.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYear-round<\/strong>: Mold spores, pet dander, and dust mites may be present year-round.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat should I do if I suspect my child has seasonal allergies:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nKeep a written log:<\/strong> Observe your child\u2019s symptoms and make note of when they occur, as well as if they seem to coincide with specific times of the year or exposure to specific allergens.<\/p>\n\n\n\nReach out to your KixNurse for guidance:<\/strong> Diagnosis from a healthcare professional, allergy testing or blood tests may at times be indicated to confirm seasonal allergies. Your KixNurse can help guide you through this.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to manage my child\u2019s seasonal allergies at home:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n1) Allergy avoidance:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Keep windows closed during high pollen seasons and promote air conditioning in the house and car while ensuring proper maintenance of appliances (re-circulating mode is best to prevent air from outside from coming in).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use air purifier filters in the house.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Avoid outdoor activities during peak pollen times (you can check pollen levels on weather apps or websites).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Avoid drying clothes\/towels\/bedding outside, especially during periods of high pollen density.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Prevent your child from playing outside on freshly cut grass, rolling on the lawn, or playing with hay- if those are triggers for them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Remove problem plants like ragweed from play areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Limit activities like tree climbing for your child during pollen season if that\u2019s a trigger.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2) Promoting healthy habits: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Encourage your child to maintain good hygiene practices, such as washing hands frequently and avoiding rubbing their eyes, to prevent allergens from spreading and exacerbating symptoms. This is especially recommended when coming in from outdoors during allergy seasons.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After a day spent outdoors during allergy seasons, ensure your child gets bathed and washes their hair. Clothes worn outside should be washed as well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
3) Creating an allergy-friendly environment: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Create an allergy-friendly environment at home by regularly cleaning, dusting, washing bedding in hot water\/drying in the dryer instead of outside, and minimizing exposure to potential allergens such as pet dander or mold.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Wash bedding and stuffed toys in hot water and dry inside.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
4) Educating caregivers and teachers: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Communicate with caregivers and teachers about your child’s allergies and any necessary accommodations. This may include avoiding outdoor activities on high pollen days or keeping allergy medications on hand.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
5) Nasal irrigation: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
No fever is present, as this is not associated with a viral or bacterial infection but an allergen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Allergens through the seasons in Canada:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSpring<\/strong>: Tree pollen (from birch, maple, oak, and more)<\/p>\n\n\n\nSummer<\/strong>: Grass pollen (Like timothy, Bermuda, ryegrass, and more)<\/p>\n\n\n\nFall<\/strong>: Weed pollen (Like Ragweed).Year-round<\/strong>: Mold spores, pet dander, and dust mites may be present year-round.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYear-round<\/strong>: Mold spores, pet dander, and dust mites may be present year-round.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat should I do if I suspect my child has seasonal allergies:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nKeep a written log:<\/strong> Observe your child\u2019s symptoms and make note of when they occur, as well as if they seem to coincide with specific times of the year or exposure to specific allergens.<\/p>\n\n\n\nReach out to your KixNurse for guidance:<\/strong> Diagnosis from a healthcare professional, allergy testing or blood tests may at times be indicated to confirm seasonal allergies. Your KixNurse can help guide you through this.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to manage my child\u2019s seasonal allergies at home:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n1) Allergy avoidance:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Keep windows closed during high pollen seasons and promote air conditioning in the house and car while ensuring proper maintenance of appliances (re-circulating mode is best to prevent air from outside from coming in).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use air purifier filters in the house.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Avoid outdoor activities during peak pollen times (you can check pollen levels on weather apps or websites).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Avoid drying clothes\/towels\/bedding outside, especially during periods of high pollen density.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Prevent your child from playing outside on freshly cut grass, rolling on the lawn, or playing with hay- if those are triggers for them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Remove problem plants like ragweed from play areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Limit activities like tree climbing for your child during pollen season if that\u2019s a trigger.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2) Promoting healthy habits: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Encourage your child to maintain good hygiene practices, such as washing hands frequently and avoiding rubbing their eyes, to prevent allergens from spreading and exacerbating symptoms. This is especially recommended when coming in from outdoors during allergy seasons.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- After a day spent outdoors during allergy seasons, ensure your child gets bathed and washes their hair. Clothes worn outside should be washed as well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
3) Creating an allergy-friendly environment: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Create an allergy-friendly environment at home by regularly cleaning, dusting, washing bedding in hot water\/drying in the dryer instead of outside, and minimizing exposure to potential allergens such as pet dander or mold.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Wash bedding and stuffed toys in hot water and dry inside.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
4) Educating caregivers and teachers: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Communicate with caregivers and teachers about your child’s allergies and any necessary accommodations. This may include avoiding outdoor activities on high pollen days or keeping allergy medications on hand.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
5) Nasal irrigation: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Summer<\/strong>: Grass pollen (Like timothy, Bermuda, ryegrass, and more)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fall<\/strong>: Weed pollen (Like Ragweed).Year-round<\/strong>: Mold spores, pet dander, and dust mites may be present year-round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Year-round<\/strong>: Mold spores, pet dander, and dust mites may be present year-round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep a written log:<\/strong> Observe your child\u2019s symptoms and make note of when they occur, as well as if they seem to coincide with specific times of the year or exposure to specific allergens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reach out to your KixNurse for guidance:<\/strong> Diagnosis from a healthcare professional, allergy testing or blood tests may at times be indicated to confirm seasonal allergies. Your KixNurse can help guide you through this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1) Allergy avoidance:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2) Promoting healthy habits: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 3) Creating an allergy-friendly environment: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 4) Educating caregivers and teachers: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 5) Nasal irrigation: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat should I do if I suspect my child has seasonal allergies:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to manage my child\u2019s seasonal allergies at home:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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