Thursday, May 25, 2006

Hay Fever

Dear Lisa,

My 7 year old daughter has allergies to grass and tree pollen. Even though she is taking her allergy medicine, she still has some days where she is suffering. Is there anything else I can do for her?

“Suffering with Hay fever in N.J.”

Dear “Suffering with Hay fever”,

There are some measures that you can take to help control your child’s exposure to grass and tree pollen. In order to avoid grass pollen exposure, refrain from playing outsdoors right after mowing the lawn. On high pollen count days, try to avoid outside activities early in the day; instead find activities to do indoors in an air-conditioned environment. By the end of the day a lot of the pollen will fall to the ground and less will be floating in the air. Late afternoon is a better time for allergic children to play outside.

The best time to spend time outside is after a good rain. When it rains outside, the raindrops wash the pollen in the air to the ground leaving less pollen floating in the air waiting to be inhaled. After spending time outdoors, have your daughter take a shower instead of a bath when she comes inside the house. Showering will wash the pollen off of her eyelashes and hair. This will prevent her from rubbing the pollen into her pillow or bedding and re-exposing herself to the allergen all night long.

At night it is better to sleep with the windows closed and with an air-conditioner on until allergy season is over. The air-conditioner improves air quality by filtering allergens from the air that enters the room. Closed windows prevent the wind from blowing pollen into her bedroom while your daughter sleeps.

If your daughter continues to suffer despite all of these efforts to adjust the environment you should contact your Doctor or Nurse Practitioner. She may need a change in her medication or the addition of a new type of medication in order to get her symptoms under control.


Lisa Kelly R.N., P.N.P., C.
Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Ask Lisa Pediatric Advice

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