Spring allergies in children: first signs and useful tips

Spring is the time to play in the open air, but there are many children who suffer from allergic reactions. Here are some suggestions to counteract sneezing and red eyes.

Summer arrives and, with the increase in temperatures, the wind and the dry climate, spring allergiesinevitably occur, with their threat of affecting the outdoor games of our children in a succession of sneezes and red eyes.
According to experts from the Italian Society of Allergology and Paediatric Immunology (SIAIP), one in three children suffers from allergies, with numbers on the rise, which see respiratory allergies in first place for incidence, followed by food allergies.

The most common signs of spring allergies

First of all, when we talk about spring allergies , we are referring to an anomalous response from our immune system, triggered by contact with harmless agents present in the external environment (pollen and domestic dust).
Pollinosis and nasal allergies are widespread in children, caused by the flowering and release of pollen from certain plants such as cypresses, mimosas, olive trees and graminaceae. The concentration of pollen is higher in the months between March and July, although, in recent years, there has been a progressive lengthening of the seasonality.

In predisposed children, the first signs of allergic responses are similar to the common coldsymptoms:

• Headaches;
• Closely spaced repeated sneezing and itchy nose;
• Swollen eyes and excessive tearing;
• Itching and redness in the eyes.

According to some surveys, the arrival of spring allergies is associated with a decline in school performance of children and young people, who, in the most critical period, risk sleeping little and badly and therefore having more difficulty in concentrating.
In any case, it is always a good idea to consult your paediatrician, who will recommend an allergist whom you can approach to for a specific skin test. The prick test is a quick and easy way to find out which allergens your child is sensitive to.
But how can we help our children to defend themselves from spring allergies on a daily basis?

A pollen handbook

To deal with the drawbacks of spring allergies, sometimes it is enough to follow a few but effective measures, which can help to counteract the most unpleasant symptoms.
Below is a short handbook with some useful tips:

1. For children suffering from pollen allergies it is very useful to consult the pollen calendar. In this way it will be possible to adopt a correct preventive program.
2. In the home, keep windows closed in the bedroom during the months of maximum pollen presence in the air and perhaps use specific air conditioners with pollen filters.
3. If you take your child out into the open air, avoid meadows and cultivated fields, as well as trips to the countryside where the concentration of pollen increases significantly.
4. If you notice the first signs of eye irritation, protect children from the sun’s rays. In this case, sunglasses will be a valuable ally.
5. Make sure that your child does not touch his or her eyes with his or her hands, even if he or she feels itchy, so that he or she is protected from small traumas to the cornea.
6. As soon as you return home, change the children and wash them so that the pollen does not settle on the pillow and disturb them in their sleep.

Finally, in case of allergic conjunctivitis, you can help your children with a thorough cleaning of the area around the eye through the use of disposable wipes with cleansing, wetting and soothing action, specifically designed to promote the protection of the eyes of children.