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Spring allergies: how to recognize and treat them?
At first it may look like a good cold with a constantly runny nose, frequent sneezing, an itchy sensation in the nose, throat, sometimes a small irritating cough. In addition, your baby keeps rubbing his eyes, as if there is a “grain of sand”. More rarely also appears a skin rash on the face and hands (hives). Above all, this sudden cold persists. No doubt: the “hay fever»Struck again. This allergy to tree pollens, grasses and molds most often appears from the age of 4 or 5 years., from February and sometimes until September.
Possible treatments in case of pollen allergy
If the doctor suspects an allergy, he can confirm his diagnosis by prick-tests : it deposits a drop of each suspected allergen on the skin of the forearm or back. 15 to 20 minutes later, if a papule appears at the site of the injection, the test is positive.
The first year, the allergist prescribes symptomatic treatment to relieve the child: a antihistamine (syrup or oral suspension), a eyewash to treat conjunctivitis and a anti-allergic or corticosteroid-based nasal spray. The child should take them every day during the pollen season. In the majority of cases, the symptoms subside.
In case of asthma, if these treatments are not sufficient and the child cannot sleep, the doctor may prescribe cortisone for a few days to decrease inflammation. If the little patient has asthma attacks, aerosols of betamimetics will dilate his bronchi and relieve his respiratory discomfort quickly. Between attacks, he should continue to take a DMARD with anti-inflammatory and, if necessary, a bronchodilator.
The next year, if the child is at least 5 years old, the allergist will suggest a desensitization : a few drops or an allergen spray every morning under the tongue, from January until the end of the pollen season. To give good results and hope that the allergy will disappear, this desensitization must be repeated for three to five years.
Pollen allergy: the right reflexes
Goal : avoid contact with the allergen in question.
- In the garden : during pollination, do not mow the lawn if the child is outside, do not let him roll around in the grass but spread him out on a blanket and make sure he stays there.
- Before going for a walk : find out about pollen activity in your region, on the website of the National Aerobiological Monitoring Network. Some days the allergic child will be much better at home.
- After several hours outside : take a shower on the way home to get rid of the pollen accumulated during the day.
- Inform you on the Internet about risky periods, depending on the region. The site lists the risk areas.