SEASONAL ALLERGIES

Nasal sprays: A nasal spray might be a good choice if runny or stuffy nose is your main symptom. Fluticasone (Flonase) is available for ages 4 and up. This nasal steroid spray decreases inflammation in your nose, which in turn makes it easier to breathe.

Eye drops: Many products are available to help with itchy, watery eyes. Artificial tears can be helpful and do not contain any active medication. Look for a product that will lubricate and soothe allergy symptoms; the box will tell you the minimum age for the product.

Decrease pollen exposure

Environment management can also help you mitigate seasonal allergy symptoms. Here are a few tips!

Here in the Midwest, the arrival of spring coincides with the appearance of runny noses and itchy, watery eyes for many children and adults. Seasonal allergies can really put a damper on enjoying all that spring in KC has to offer. But there are plenty of ways to ease symptoms and still enjoy your favorite outdoor activities!

Seasonal Allergy Signs And Symptoms

Seasonal allergy symptoms tend to happen around the same time each year. Symptoms typically last more than two weeks without other signs of illness. Pollen is the top allergen (irritant) associated with seasonal spring allergies.

Symptoms of seasonal allergies include:

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Watery eyes

• Itchy sensation in eyes, nose, throat or ears

• Frequent sneezing

• Sniffling

• Frequent swallowing (postnasal drip)

Ways To Manage Seasonal Allergies

Most seasonal allergy symptoms can be managed at home. Treatment includes medications to help manage symptoms and ways to avoid or minimize pollen exposure.

Medications

The most commonly used medications to combat seasonal allergies are oral antihistamines, nasal sprays and eye drops. Always carefully read the label for dosing information and consult your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns.

Antihistamines: Antihistamines target the most common seasonal allergy symptoms and are available over the counter for ages 2 and up.

Cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin) and fexofenadine (Allegra) can be given any time of day and work best when taken daily for the duration of allergy season.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is an oldergeneration antihistamine; drowsiness is a significant side effect. Therefore, it is not the first choice medication for daily use because of its side effects.

Check the forecast. Monitor pollen levels in the area and limit time outside on days when it is high.

Wash pollen away. When your children come inside after outdoor play, have them change clothes and wash their hands to remove any pollen that may be on them. Dry your laundry inside the house to keep pollen from floating by and sticking.

Run the air conditioner. Turn on the air conditioner and keep windows closed to decrease pollen levels inside both your home and car.

Utilize air purifiers. Consider putting an air purifier with HEPA filters in the rooms you use most often. Air purifiers remove pollen and other contaminants from the air, which can help decrease symptoms.

Seasonal allergies don’t need to ruin your plans. Get out there and enjoy the return of warmer weather!

Joleen Sams is a family nurse practitioner who lives in Shawnee. Her two beautiful children are in grade school, and most of the time you’ll find her running around the metro for their activities. Joleen helps families thrive by providing easy-tounderstand, fact-based health information.

As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.

“Ian, now that you’ve graduated, what do you want to do?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Schooling with a special needs child is demanding. Parents know little of how to deal with kids on the autism spectrum and learn as their kids grow. This means helping the child deal with interactions between peers, teachers, other adults and, too often, bullies.

Of course, there are meetings. Tons of them. IEP meetings, special meetings, preparatory IEP meetings, and all of them focused on the best interests of the child.

Everything is structured, from extended school year, what we used to call summer school, through each semester until, almost imperceptibly, the years slip by and Ian, like all his class, is wearing a mortarboard with his graduation robe while he looks down from the top of the world.

That’s when the structure vanishes and we asked the question that could determine his life.

Ian wasn’t being entirely honest, although he intended no deceit. He wanted to immerse himself in his electronics where he could watch films and play games. We enlisted him in a county program, but, when he refused to cooperate, they dropped him. He didn’t care. His electronics kept him happy and we were unable to convince him of his need to be productive and contribute to society.

Until the day he discovered a goal. His ambition is expensive and can cost thousands of dollars, but he was determined. He reenlisted in the county program, amazing the counselors with his change in attitude.

Last fall, he found employment with a major retailer as a cart pusher and stockman. More importantly, he’s discovered that he likes the job. When I pick him up after his shift, I always ask him the same question. “Ian, how did things go tonight?”

Ian grins. “Magnificent!” family.