Hay Fever: Brief Version

What is hay fever?

Hay fever is an allergy to pollen in the air. Your child probably has hay fever if:

• There is a clear discharge from your child's nose.
• AND your child's nose itches.
• AND your child sneezes and sniffs.
• Your child's eyes may also itch and water or look pink.

Here are the months of the year you may expect problems with hay fever:

• In April and May, the most common pollen is from trees.
• In June and July, most of the time it is from grass.
• From August until the first frost, ragweed pollen is the big problem.

Animal fur and other things could cause your child's hay fever.

How can I take care of my child?

Give your child an antihistamine.

• This medicine works best for hay fever.
• Your child's doctor will tell you what you should use.
• If your child has hay fever every day, it's a good idea to give him the antihistamine every day during the pollen season.

Nasal sprays

• Your doctor may tell you to use a steroid nasal spray.

Nasal saline rinses

• You can use saline (salt water) nose drops or spray to wash pollen out of the nose. Put 2 or 3 drops in each nostril. Then have your child blow his nose.

Shower your child and wash his hair every night before bed.

• This will clean away the pollen. Your child should have fewer symptoms at night.

Help your child stay away from pollen and other things that may cause hay fever.

• Make sure your child stays away when someone cuts grass.
• Your child should stay indoors when it is windy or if there is a lot of pollen in the air.
• Make sure your child stays away from anything that causes his hay fever.

Wash your child's itchy or watery eyes.

• Wash your child's face and eyelids with water. That will clean away any pollen.
• Put a cold wet cloth on your child's eyelids for 10 minutes.

Call your child's doctor during office hours if:

• The hay fever does not get better after your child takes medicine for 2 days.
• Your child gets sinus pain or pressure.
• You have other questions or concerns.