If your toddler is exploring the outdoors and his head feels increasingly miserable the longer he's outside -- along with having itchy, watery eyes -- he might be experiencing seasonal allergies. Also known as hay fever, pollen from the grass is a common culprit. Consult with an allergist for an allergy-relief plan for your toddler.
Identification
During high pollen counts, your toddler has clear nasal discharge, nasal congestion, frequent sneezing and a cough. Itching occurs in your toddlers nose, throat, ears, eyes and possibly skin. Your toddlers eyes get red and puffy and sometimes dark circles develop under the eyes. There is no fever. These symptoms spike when grass grows and pollen is released during the last spring and summer, which makes the onset of symptoms easy to predict. Hay fever symptoms develop as early as age 2 and is most common for boys. Pain is never present with hay fever.
Cause
Once your toddler has been exposed to pollen in grass, his body starts creating antibodies to fight the pollen the same way it does an infection. Your toddler is reintroduced to pollen the following year during pollen season and the antibodies that were created trigger the immune system to release histamines and other chemicals, which results in the bothersome symptoms your toddler experiences. If the toddler’s parents or family members have allergies, your toddler’s risk of hay fever increases. Hot, dry and windy days have the most pollen in the air.
Treatment
Grass is everywhere and toddlers love playing outside, so avoiding the allergen is unlikely. Antihistamines taken daily for two months or longer effectively treat allergy systems that affect the nose and eyes. Some antihistamines cause drowsiness, but newer brands are non-sedative. Consult with your child’s pediatrician for the best antihistamine for your toddler. Corticosteroid nasal sprays are also effective at treating hay fever. Grass pollen can be washed from your toddlers sinuses with a saline spray. If your toddler cannot blow his nose after using a saline spray, a rubber bulb syringe can remove excess fluids and mucus. Have your toddler bathe daily so you can remove pollen from the skin and hair. Allergy shots are sometimes given in regular doses to help your toddler adjust to pollen in the grass.
Prevention
Keep your toddler indoors on days you mow the grass since this can bring pollen into the air. Keep windows closed and avoid window fans, especially after mowing the grass. Have your toddler stay in an air-conditioned environment as often as possible. Plan indoor activities on windy days. Bathe dogs frequently to remove pollen from fur and do not allow your toddler to play with an outdoor dog.
