YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH By Tiffany Doerr Guerzon
Tame Spring Allergies by Allergy Proofing Your Home
T
he flowers are blooming, birds are singing, the sun is shining … and the kids are sneezing. For children with seasonal allergies, warm spring breezes bring pollen, causing itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and runny noses. If you suspect your child suffers from seasonal allergies (also called hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis) first visit your pediatrician for a diagnosis and medical recommendations. In the meantime, although you can’t control the pollen count, you can control some of the allergens in your home with these tips. Keep that pollen outside where it belongs! On spring days, kids are more likely to spend time outside. Taking a before-bedtime shower or bath can wash pollen out of the hair. This keeps pollen and other allergens from falling on the pillowcase and being breathed in during sleep. Pollen counts are highest in the evening. Consider taking playtime indoors on evenings when that pollen count climbs – or change into clean clothes after being outdoors to avoid spreading pollen around the house. Grass is a common allergic trigger. Keep kids with allergies inside with doors and windows closed while the lawn is being 38
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mowed. Then, stay inside until the grass settles. If itchy eyes are a problem, wearing a wide brimmed hat and/ or sunglasses can help shield the eyes from pollen. Allergen-proof the bedroom One-third of every 24 hours are spent sleeping – more for younger kids! Because of this, it makes sense that controlling allergens in the bedroom can have a big impact on your child’s symptoms. Dust contains all sorts of allergens including mold, pollen, and dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic bugs that are found on every continent except Antarctica. They live in even the cleanest of homes and according to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, they may be the most common trigger of year-round allergies and asthma. By controlling dust and dust mites in the bedroom, you can reduce exposure. Start with the bed. Mattresses and box springs are a haven for dust and dust mites. Since you can’t wash these, encasing your mattress and box spring in dust-proof or allergen-impermeable covers traps dust and mites inside. Plastic and vinyl covers are least expensive and work well for kids still potty training – but NEAPOLITANfamily • March 2020
