Springtime Blues
Mother nature can be so cruel. After a long, cold winter who isn’t excited to open up the windows to let that cool, spring breeze fill the house? Who doesn’t want to play tag with their kids on the fresh, green grass or pick the flowers blooming on the trees? And yet for so many of us and our children these actions make us simply miserable- the stuffy nose, constant sneezing, itchy eyes, annoying cough. So many of us here in New Jersey suffer from springtime seasonal allergies. After all, it’s not called the garden state for nothing! It is possible to get outside and enjoy the spring if you suffer from allergies. Taking a few precautions and knowing when and what medications to take can help get you back outside and enjoying the spring!
Control your exposure:
When pollen counts are high it’s almost impossible to not have some allergy symptoms. There are ways to enjoy being outside and limit your exposure to allergens. Here are some tips.
Play on pavement. Encourage your allergic children to play on the driveway or your deck instead of the grass. This is a simple way to steer clear of grass pollens.
Avoid freshly cut grass. The process of mowing the lawn will release pollens into the air, so even if you are on your deck, you will be exposed to a higher amount of pollens. A simple rule of thumb is if you can smell cut grass, go inside.
The time of the day matters. Pollen levels are higher in the early morning and in the early evening. The best time to play outside for allergic children is in the middle of the day.
Keep the pollen outside. Although it’s tempting to open windows on beautiful days, it’s very important for allergic people to have a safe haven from pollen. If windows are open pollen will enter your home and you will be exposed to it 24/7. On hot days turn on the AC or your fans.
Don’t go to bed with pollen. If your child has spent time outside there will inevitably be some pollens attached to their skin and hair. Showering or taking a bath before bedtime will remove those pollens. Pollen in your hair means pollen on your pillow means pollen in your face all night long.
Choosing medications that make sense:
There are many different allergy medications out there- eye drops, pills, nasal sprays, antihistamines, decongestants. It can be confusing to know what to give and when to give it. It is important to discuss treatment plans with your child’s pediatrician before allergy season if they suffer from allergy induced asthma or have a history of severe allergy symptoms which impair normal functioning. When choosing a medication for allergies think about what specific symptom you are suffering from and pick a medication that addresses those symptoms. Here is a summary of the different types of allergy medications and what they do.
Antihistamines: Allergic reactions are caused by a release of histamines from cells in our body. Antihistamines work by blocking the release of histamine. There are many different antihistamines out on the shelves, and it can be trial and error to find the one that is most effective for you and your children. Benadryl can often cause sleepiness; however, it is common in young children to have to opposite effect and make them more hyperactive. I suggest giving the first dose of Benadryl in the daytime to see how your child reacts to it. Benadryl also lasts for about 6 hours so multiple doses may be needed in a day. Other medications, such as Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra can be given once a day and typically do not cause sleepiness. Antihistamines alone can be helpful for people suffering from primarily sneezing and runny nose. Starting an antihistamine daily at the end of March can help prevent severe to moderate allergy symptoms.
Decongestants: Decongestants work by controlling the blood flow to the nasal passages which relieves the stuffiness we feel in our noses. Side effects include elevated heart rate and elevated blood pressure. Long term use can lead to a rebound effect where the nasal congestion gets worse when you stop taking the medication. Many antihistamines do come as a combination with a decongestant (typically a D will appear after the name of the drug). This is a great option for someone who suffers primarily from nasal stuffiness during allergy season.
Nasal sprays: There are two types of nasal sprays on the market. Some contain an antihistamine which can give immediate, short-term relief for nasal symptoms, such as runny nose and stuffiness. Others contain a steroid which provides more long-term relief and are very effective for people who suffer all season long with stuffiness and postnasal drip. Nasal sprays are well tolerated with few side effects. Steroid containing nasal sprays can also help prevent seasonal allergies when taken daily starting at the end of March.
Eye drops: Allergy eye drops are very effective for people suffering from itchy, watery eyes. Some are available over the counter and others are prescription. Prescription drops are stronger and may work better for someone not responding well to over-the-counter drops. Most eye drops are well tolerated with few side effects.
Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy, commonly known as allergy shots, can be useful for people who have moderate to severe allergy symptoms lasting all season and recurring each year which effect normal functioning. By injecting a tiny amount of allergen into the skin your body will slowly develop a tolerance to the allergen and eventually you will no longer be allergic to that allergen. Allergy shots can be very effective at eliminating the allergy itself in the long term but in the short term it does not relieve acute allergy symptoms so if your child is starting on a course of immunotherapy, they will most likely still require some medication to treat symptoms.
Don’t let seasonal allergies dampen your spring outings! With some advanced planning, common sense avoidance techniques and selection of the appropriate medication you and your family can enjoy the spring sunshine!!