Headlines everywhere are reporting “This Allergy Season Will Be The Worst.”  The reasons for this include climate warming, long term increases in carbon dioxide, last summer’s rising temperatures, and the record breaking snow totals of the past winter.  UGH!  (As if we have not suffered enough with the ridiculous winter we just endured in the Northeast.)

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This is not what the mother of an asthmatic child wants to hear.

According to Kids Health “The type and severity of allergy symptoms vary from allergy to allergy and child to child. Allergies may show up as itchy eyes or an itchy nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, throat tightness, trouble breathing, vomiting, and even faintness or passing out.”  I have dealt with seasonal allergies for a large portion of my life.  I sneeze, keep a lot of Kleenex on hand, and make several trips to the local pharmacy to stock up on non-drowsy allergy medication.  For me, allergy season is no big deal.
My son developed asthma several years ago and we learned that seasonal allergies are one of his triggers.  Each Spring we try to determine the right mix of things to keep his allergies at bay.  There have been several occasions where we just couldn’t keep up and ended up at the pediatrician’s office to get help.  You see, for a child with asthma, excess post nasal drip causes coughing.  Coughing spasms can lead to wheezing and that is a recipe for disaster for a child with asthma.
This year we have taken the lessons learned from years past.  I am trying to be proactive, especially given the allergy season predictions.  And I will not lie, I am worried.
Here is what I have learned:
If it is possible, try to avoid or limit exposure to allergens.  For kids, this is extremely difficult in the Spring.  They want to be outside playing and grass/tree pollen is everywhere.
Keep the windows closed so pollen is less likely to enter your home.  When pollen counts are high it is important to keep the offending particles out of the house and car.  This is especially challenging on a beautiful day, but it makes a huge difference for allergy sufferers.
Change children’s clothing after they have been outside to ride them of pollen stuck on clothes.
Wash your hands!  We all know that hand washing protects us against germs and infections.  It also helps limit pollen transfer from hands to eyes, noses, and mouthes.  Daily showers keep lingering pollen from being offensive.
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-If you child has bad allergies talk to your pediatrician.  They can help you evaluate whether medications will help your child.
As for me, I am keeping my fingers crossed.  I hope the lessons I have learned will help us during this allergy season!  If you have additional insights you would like to share, please do.