Five ways to help kids suffering from fall allergies

The fall season may elicit images of pumpkin spice and everything nice, but for kids who suffer from seasonal allergies, or "seasonal allergic rhinitis" medically speaking, it also means a return of runny noses and other misery-inducing symptoms, like headaches, watery eyes and sore throats.

Barbara Ariue, MD, a pediatric allergy and immunology specialist at Loma Linda University Children's Health, says that while runny noses will not necessarily land a child in the emergency room, it is important to make sure these symptoms are not impacting their quality of life.

"If allergies start to affect their schoolwork, their ability to do their normal activities or their activities like sports or dance, then it is going to become more of a problem," Ariue says.

With some preventive actions, those issues could mostly be avoided. Here are five tips to keep seasonal allergy symptoms at bay.

1) Don't bring the outside inside

Many allergy symptoms can be prevented by limiting exposure to outdoor allergens. Ariue recommends that kids take a shower or bath right after returning home from school or sports practice. At minimum, they should change their clothes and place them in a hamper outside of their room. Shoes should be removed before coming inside.

"We want their room to be allergen-free," Ariue says.

2) Pets can be problematic

Pets that spend time outdoors can also contribute to seasonal allergy flare-ups. A child may not be allergic to the actual animal, but their pet could track pollen inside the house, exposing a child to further irritants.

Ariue said, "We want to keep the dogs and cats outside of the room if possible. Washing and grooming pets is very important."

Changing clothes or bathing after the last interaction with a pet can also be helpful, Ariue said.

3) Keep windows and doors closed

Along the same lines, keeping windows and doors closed can help prevent outdoor allergens from making their way inside. The crisp autumn air may be nice; it is not so pleasant for allergy sufferers.

4) Be wary of humidifier use

Humidifiers may seem like they are helping relieve symptoms by soothing airways and relieving congestion. Ariue, however, cautions against prolonged use, especially if there is uncertainty around the exact cause of the child's allergies. Humidity can allow allergens like mold and dust mites to thrive, worsening symptoms for those that suffer from allergies that originate indoors.

5) Treat symptoms when preventive measures do not work

Even after taking all these precautions, allergy sufferers may still, well, suffer. Ariue said one of the best things parents can do for their kids is to help or encourage them to clean out their nasal passages.

"We spend time showing patients how to do a saline rinse, clean out that little nose, get that congestion and mucus out," Ariue says. "But if they're having persistent symptoms not improving with preventive measures, an antihistamine can help with itchy nose, watery nose, and sneezing."

For persistent nasal congestion, an intranasal cortical steroid spray may be helpful.

Seasonal allergies aren't always to blame

As mentioned above, fall allergens cannot be blamed for all allergy symptoms experienced at this time of year. Sometimes, allergies are triggered by irritants inside the home.

To avoid that, parents should fully encase a child's mattress with a dust mite-proof encasement and wash bedding in hot water. Frequent vacuuming and dusting may also help with symptom management. Choose furniture that is easy to clean. Remove clutter and store stuffed animals, toys, games in plastic bins. And consider an air filter for small particles such as a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air filter).

When to see a doctor or specialist

Even with the best efforts, kids still may struggle.

"If they're having symptoms more than four days a week and more than four weeks of the year, they may want to consider going to see their doctor," Ariue says. "If there is chronic coughing going on outside of a cold or just a prolonged cold not getting better, I think that is something they need to bring up to their provider."

For more information, visit our Pediatric Allergy, Immunology & Pulmonology website.