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Allergies

What are allergies?

An allergy is an overreaction of your immune system to a generally harmless substance, such as plant pollen. Your body thinks it's sick and begins responding with symptoms like these:

• nasal congestion
• sneezing
• coughing
• itching
• scratchy throat

How serious are allergies?

Allergy symptoms can make you miserable. Children miss about 2 million school days each year due to allergy symptoms. Untreated, allergy symptoms can progress to sinus or ear infections. If a child has asthma, allergies can make her asthma worse or trigger an asthma attack.

What should I do before talking to my child's doctor?

Good question. It's important to take an active role in your child's treatment. Complete the checklist on page 10. It will help you track:

• symptoms
• when and where symptoms occur
• what medicines your child is currently taking

How do I know whether the symptoms are an allergy or a cold?

Seasonal allergies and colds share many of the same symptoms. One of the main differences is how long the symptoms last. Colds usually clear up in a week to 10 days. Allergy symptoms may last for several weeks.

Seasonal allergies

Seasonal allergies are your body's response to pollens and mold spores. Pollens and mold spores are microscopic grains plants distribute for reproduction.

Does pollen vary by season and location?

Yes. Different plants produce pollen at different times of the year. Some plants distribute pollen in the wind. Others rely on insects to carry it. It is generally the wind-borne pollen that causes allergy problems.
Seasonal allergies are predictable because each type of plant produces pollen at roughly the same time each year within a geographic area. For up-to-date information, check your newspaper's weather page for pollen and mold levels. The National Allergy Bureau also provides local pollen and mold spore levels at http://www.aaaai.org/nab.

How do I know what my child is allergic to?

Sometimes you'll be able to tell. Perhaps your child sneezes around grass or her skin itches when she touches certain plants. Or you might notice that your child has allergy symptoms at certain times of the year. An allergist can give your child tests to pinpoint the things that cause an allergic reaction in her body.

How can I help my child avoid allergic reactions?

The best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid the allergens that cause it.

• Keep house windows closed during high pollen seasons. Use air conditioning.
• Keep car windows closed when traveling.
• Keep track of daily pollen and mold counts through newspapers or the Internet. When possible, limit your child's outdoor activities on days when the counts are high.
• Keep your child inside between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. when the pollen counts is at its peak, and on hot, dry, windy days when pollen is more airborne. The lowest pollen counts are on cool, cloudy, rainy or windless days.
• Don't dry clothes outside. Pollen collects on clothes.
• Mowing the lawn and raking leaves stirs up pollen and mold spores. Keep your child away from these activities.
• Keep you lawn short to prevent weeds from flowering.
• After your child plays outside, have her take a shower or bath and wash her hair. Pollen can collect on skin and hair.

How are seasonal allergies treated?

The major types of medications for seasonal allergies are antihistamines, decongestants, anti-inflammatory sprays and leukotriene blockers. Each type works in a different way and offers specific benefits. Talk to your doctor about which medicine is best for your child.

All information provided by Healthy Advice for Your Child © 2004 On Target Media, LLC

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