Having a child with hay fever can be a real struggle, especially in the current situation. Giving them antihistamines might cause drowsiness and grogginess, which can be unpleasant to witness in a usually lively and excitable child. However, there are now many more options available for your child to prevent and alleviate allergy symptoms. Airborne allergens expert and creator of HayMax organic allergen barrier balm, Max Wiseberg reveals the top hay fever hacks all parents should know about…
“In the last few decades a lot has changed in the allergy world,” explains Max, “some of it – including the range and effectiveness of treatments available – very much for the better. But not all; the proportion of sufferers who are children has increased. Of course, whatever the allergy, be it hay fever, allergic rhinitis, asthma, dust, mould or pet allergy, for both the child who suffers and the parent who suffers with the child, the misery it brings has not changed.”
“So what can parents do to help their children manage hay fever symptoms? Quite a lot, fortunately; here are some ideas. As with many things, prevention is better than cure!”
“Take your child to the GP, to get a proper diagnosis. If the symptoms occur only in high summer on hot, sunny days, it’s almost certainly hay fever. Although, it could be any number of other allergies and treatment might differ in each case. Luckily, there is evidence to show that applying HayMax to the base of the nostrils (where the air comes in) should work for all airborne allergens.”
“Make HayMax Kids part of their daytime and bedtime routines. Apply the allergen barrier balm around the rim of the nostrils and bones of the eyes immediately after washing or showering first thing in the morning and before going to bed. Pop a pot in their daytime bag and leave a pot by their bed so they can re-apply as needed. In independent studies, HayMax has been shown to trap over a third of the pollen before it gets into the body [1]: less pollen, less reaction.”
“Change your child’s clothes daily and after they’ve been playing outside. Wash their face and hair after they come indoors having spent time outdoors. Pollen sticks to clothing, skin and hair, so symptoms can continue even when indoors. Washing or showering will remove any pollen remaining on the skin and hair.”
“Encourage them to wear wraparound sunglasses and a hat or cap when outdoors. This creates a protective layer between their eyes and the pollen-laden atmosphere and can reduce symptoms considerably. It also relaxes their eyes, which relaxes them. A cap or hat helps stop pollen being trapped in the hair.”
“Wash your children’s bedding frequently. Pollen grains come indoors borne on the air and stick to bedding. So frequent washing of bedding, covering the bed with a sheet – which is carefully folded and stored away from the bed during the night, before they get into bed – and turning pillows just before they are tucked in, can all help reduce symptoms.”
“Limit their exposure to pollen during peak periods. Pollen is released early in the morning and travels upwards as the air warms up. In the evening, as the air cools, it moves back down again. Symptoms are usually worst during the early morning and evening, when the pollen grains reach nose height, so try to keep children indoors at these times.”
“Visit the NHS website for lots of useful information on how to recognise hay fever in children, how to distinguish it from other allergies, and how to help your child or children cope with the symptoms.”