Late Summer and Fall Allergies

All good things have to come to an end. That is how I feel about summer, and the long, warm, beautiful, sunny days.

Late summer and early fall bring their own allergies in the form of ragweed, other weeds, and mold that comes with dropped and decaying leaves. Your kids may experience sneezing, runny eyes, cough, and for some children an uptick in asthma symptoms. Allergies are different than a cold, which can also cause these symptoms, but with allergies, the symptoms continue for a much longer period of time. There should not be a fever, and usually the child is not fatigued or sick-appearing.

Easing Late Summer and Fall Allergy Symptoms

Some easy things to consider to ease symptoms are:

1. Keep windows closed in the house.

2. Wash their face and hands when they come in from play to remove pollen.

3. Use over-the-counter medication like Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra on a daily basis. Follow the dosage as designated, or call us for dosing.

4. If your child has asthma, it's time to discuss the routine medications that help control symptoms, in addition to the over-the-counter meds. Keep in mind that some medications delivered by nebulizer may not work in the smaller portable versions (budesonide needs a standard nebulizer due to the atomization of the medication). Children under the age of 9 should use a spacer device if they are using an inhaler.

5. On occasion, an allergist is recommended when it's clear that your child has significant allergies that don't allow them to play outdoors for months, since identifying the allergen can be helpful, and occasionally allergy immunotherapy is indicated (allergy shots).

6. Colds are also common in the fall with the return to school and can be confused with allergies. But usually the child is sick, may run a fever, and is abruptly symptomatic. Tylenol or ibuprofen can help with aches and sore throats. Warm drinks and the use of a vaporizer help with cough. We do NOT recommend any form of cough suppressant in children and ask that you not give any to your child due to side effects and the risk of medication versus the cold.

7. If there is sustained fever, any difficulty breathing, crankiness, or the cold has lasted more than 10 days, we ask that you contact us.

We're Here to Help

Fall allergies can be frustrating for both kids and parents, but with a few simple changes and the right treatment plan, most children feel a lot better. If your child's symptoms aren't improving with over-the-counter care, or you're not quite sure whether you're dealing with allergies or a cold, don't hesitate to reach out. We're happy to help you sort it out and get your child back outside, breathing easy.

Contact us today online or give us a call at 410-647-8300 to talk through your child's allergy or asthma symptoms — we'll help you find the right plan for your family.