Last updated on October 31st, 2024 at 12:10 pm
Seasonal allergies are a very common issue in children. Up to 40% of children experience allergic rhinitis, which can cause a multitude of irritating symptoms and decrease overall life quality.
As a result, many parents turn to various allergy medications to help their child. And while these can be helpful, they also have many possible side effects, many of which are exacerbated in children.
Fortunately, there are also several ways to help a child with seasonal allergies naturally, which can provide relief, while limiting the chance of side effects.
Causes and Effects of Seasonal Allergies in Children
There are several causes of seasonal allergies in children. The most common ones are ragweed pollen, grass pollen, and some molds, such as leaf mold.
Children with seasonal allergies often have an overactive immune system, which reacts to a given trigger. This leads to the release of histamine and other chemicals, which in turn causes many of the common allergic symptoms, such as itchy eyes, runny nose, congestion, and sneezing.
Without proper management, seasonal allergies can cause significant disruptions to a child’s overall life quality.
The Benefits and Downsides of Allergy Medications
Most people often turn to allergy medications to help treat symptoms and get relief. The main classes of allergy medications are antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroids.
Antihistamines help suppress histamine and decrease the overall immune response, which can decrease itchiness, sneezing, and other symptoms. Decongestants work to relieve congestion and stuffiness, which also supports better breathing. And corticosteroids manage inflammation and help calm down the body’s allergic response.
Now, while these all have potential benefits, they all carry possible side effects, which often occur more strongly in children.
For example, antihistamines can cause drowsiness and fatigue, and decongestants can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, increased heart rate, and trouble sleeping.
Another option that some people turn to is to use allergy shots, which involve gradual, repeated exposure to an allergen in order to train the body’s immune system to react more effectively to it. While this is effective, it is quite time-consuming and can take months to years to reach full effects.
How to Help a Child with Seasonal Allergies Naturally
There are also many ways to help a child with seasonal allergies naturally, which is intriguing due to the much lower possibility of side effects. Not only are there natural home remedies, there are also a variety of natural supplements that may help with seasonal allergies.
In regard to natural home remedies, there are several effective options:
- Hot and Cold Compresses: A warm or hot compress can help to relieve sinus pressure and promote better breathing. Cold compresses can help calm down itchy eyes, swelling, and general irritation.
- Eyedrops: Certain eye drops can also be used to relieve dry, itchy eyes. However, these should only be used when needed, and not for more than a few days.
- Sinus Rinse: The use of saline water can also help to clear away pollen and other irritants in the nose, while soothing the mucous membranes. You can simply spray the saline water solution into your child’s nose, or make use of a neti pot or specially designed saline rinse bottle.
- Essential Oils: Herbal essential oils, such as eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint, offer anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties, which can help relieve allergy symptoms.
In addition to these remedies, you can also help your child with seasonal allergies by managing your environment. Specifically, it’s important to keep windows closed, make sure your child changes clothes after being outside, and to wash sheets and bedding frequently. The use of air filtration with a HEPA filter is also effective at reducing airborne allergens.
Beyond this, ensure that your child maintains a healthy lifestyle, including adequate sleep, a nutrient-rich diet, and regular exercise, all of which helps promote better immunity and overall health.
Natural Supplements to Help Your Child with Allergies
If you’re frustrated about how to help a child with seasonal allergies naturally, certain supplements may also help. Many natural supplements can promote a healthier immune system, minimize allergic symptoms, and/or promote overall wellness and vitality.
- Vital Nutrients Quercetin: Vital Nutrients offers many scientifically formulated supplements with premium quality ingredients. Their Quercetin formula provides 250mg of quercetin, which offers potent antioxidant support and promotes a healthy respiratory system and sinuses.
- OrthoMolecular Natural D-Hist: OrthoMolecular provides many evidence-based supplements to promote better health. Natural D-Hist is one of their most popular formulas, featuring vitamin C, quercetin, stinging nettle, and other compounds to help calm down inflammation and support nasal and respiratory health during allergy season.
- Suppys Immunity: Suppys offers a great line-up of natural health solutions. Their Immunity formula comes in tasty chewable tablets for kids. Each serving provides 50mg of Wellmune baker’s yeast beta-glucan, which promotes a resilient immune system and a reduction in allergy symptom severity.
- Nordic Naturals Zero Sugar Kids Multi Gummies: Nordic Naturals is one of the leaders in omega-3 supplements while providing many other high-quality natural products. Zero Sugar Kids Multi Gummies contain many essential nutrients to support children’s immunity and overall wellness, including vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin D3. The gummies are sweetened with xylitol and contain 0g of sugar.
Seasonal allergies can cause significant disruption to your child’s daily life and overall well-being. Understanding how to help a child with seasonal allergies naturally can provide significant relief, while also minimizing the possibility of side effects that often come with allergy medications. Implementing any of the above strategies is a great way to help you and your child navigate allergy season a bit more easily.
FAQs
When are seasonal allergies the worst?
It depends on one’s exact triggers. Tree pollen typically starts in February and lasts until May. Grass pollen is usually at its worst from April through June. Ragweed pollen starts later in August and goes until November. And mold is often the worst in fall.
Do seasonal allergies go away?
Some people may experience a decrease or even a complete end to allergic symptoms as they get older. However, everyone is different, and some may deal with seasonal allergies their whole lives.
Why do seasonal allergies make you tired?
Seasonal allergies cause an increase in inflammation and immune activity, which can tire out the body. In addition, seasonal allergies often make it difficult to sleep. Beyond this, seasonal allergies cause breathing troubles and other issues, which can cause fatigue.
Can seasonal allergies cause fever?
No. Seasonal allergies don’t cause a fever. Fevers are signs of an illness or infection in the body.
- How to Help a Child with Seasonal Allergies Naturally - October 22, 2024