Hay fever in babies is nothing to worry about, but it is advisable to seek medical advice. It is similar to adult hay fever and occurs most commonly between March and October. If you think your baby has hay fever, you should consult your doctor or call 111 for help. To help you determine the right treatment for your child, consider the following:
Symptoms of hay fever
Symptoms of hay fever in babies are relatively common and should not cause much concern. If your child has persistent symptoms throughout the year, they should visit their GP. A blood test or skin prick test to determine if the cause is hay fever or a different allergy may be necessary. If the hay fever is caused by a specific pollen source, your doctor can prescribe steroid nasal sprays to relieve symptoms. If your child has more severe symptoms, your pharmacist can prescribe medication.
Treatment options
The best hay fever treatment for babies involves reducing your child's exposure to the allergen. Using a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner and recirculating air in cars will reduce the spread of pollen. To keep your child's skin clean and smelling fresh, you can wash their clothes. Another helpful hay fever treatment is prevention. Babies should avoid exposure to animal fur and pollens, and you can buy non-sedating antihistamines from your pharmacist.
Corticosteroid nasal sprays
Although corticosteroid nasal sprays are very effective in the treatment of hay fever and asthma, the risks of overuse are not worth the benefits. It is recommended that parents seek a medical diagnosis before administering corticosteroid nasal sprays to children. Corticosteroids are potent medicine that can help reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for a child. Pediatricians and allergy specialists agree that corticosteroid nasal sprays are very safe and are recommended for use by young children.
Non-sedating antihistamines
There are non-sedating antihistamines that are suitable for use in children. They have a low risk of drowsiness, and can be used safely by babies. Children older than 12 months can use Piriton, a hay fever treatment syrup. For parents looking for non-drowsy hay fever treatment for babies, it is advisable to check the pollen counts in the area beforehand. You can do this by looking at local weather reports. If the pollen count is high, you should keep your baby inside.
Avoiding grass and flowers
One of the best hay fever treatments for babies is to avoid grass and flowers altogether. The pollen consists of dissolved allergens that are brought into contact with the skin. Fortunately, grass and flower allergy symptoms tend to be mild or non-existent, making it easy for babies to avoid them altogether. In fact, some babies will develop rashes just from touching grass and flowers. Fortunately, this is not a serious allergic reaction and will usually disappear on its own after a few days.
Skin prick test
The best way to know if your baby has hay fever is to perform a skin prick test. Your doctor may order a skin test to identify the source of the allergy. If the test is negative, the allergen is not the cause of the hay fever. However, if the test is positive, the child may have no symptoms when exposed to the allergen. In this case, your doctor may prescribe a nasal steroid spray.
Over-the-counter remedies
Symptoms of hay fever in babies may be relieved by over-the-counter remedies such as nasal sprays and cough syrups. Depending on your child's age, you may need to use prescription medication to get long-term relief. Many people find the most effective relief from a combination of over-the-counter medications. Consult your child's doctor about which medications will be most effective for them.
