As weather changes and seasons shift, many children – like many adults – experience allergies and asthma. Allergies and asthma are both different medical conditions. Allergies are the reactions that start in the immune system, while asthma is a chronic condition that starts in the lungs.
The symptoms of these conditions can keep children from enjoying their outdoor activities and even affect their routine activities. Managing seasonal allergies and asthma can be daunting for parents, but with the right knowledge and tool, it can be done successfully.
Let’s talk about some steps you can follow to manage seasonal allergies and asthma in your kids to help them live a comfortable, healthy life.
#1 Identify Allergy and Asthma Triggers
This is the first step in managing seasonal allergies and allergy-induced asthma. To identify the trigger of your child’s allergies and asthma, pay attention to the child’s environment and note any changes that may coincide with their allergy or asthma symptoms. Common allergens are dust, molds, pollens, and animal dander.
If you fail to identify the trigger, talk to your child’s pediatrician, who may recommend some tests to identify the culprit of your child’s allergies and asthma.
Once the allergen or irritant is known, avoiding or minimizing the exposure becomes easier.
#2 Avoid Exposure to Triggers
Once the trigger of your child’s seasonal allergies and asthma is known, take some steps to minimize or avoid exposure to these triggers. Keep your child indoors during high pollen season, use air conditioning, wash bedding frequently, and avoid lawn mowing. It’s best to advise your child to wear a face mask when going outside.
Good hydration, regular sleep habits, a healthy diet, and an annual flu vaccine are also musts.
#3 Control Symptoms of Allergies and Asthma
If your child is showing symptoms of allergies or asthma, talk to their pediatrician, who may develop an action plan to keep your child’s symptoms at bay and even treat the allergies and asthma.
Your child’s doctor may do some tests to assess your child’s lung health and develop a treatment plan. They may recommend taking daily medications to control allergy symptoms and having a quick-relief inhaler on hand in case of an asthma flare-up.
Stick to the treatment and care routine recommended by the pediatrician to control your child’s allergy and asthma symptoms and improve their health.
** If your child has a bad asthma flare-up and is unable to breathe, contact 911 immediately for medical aid **
#4 Consider Allergy Shots
If your child has severe allergies or allergen-induced asthma, consider allergy shots. Allergy shots – otherwise known as immunotherapy – are a treatment that gradually exposes your child to allergens. The gradually increasing dose of allergens helps your child develop tolerance against the allergen and decreases the severity of allergies and asthma flare-ups.
Typically, a child receives these shots once every week for a couple of months and then once a month for 3 to 5 years.
Treatment for the Signs of Asthma in Kids in Purchase, NY
Asthma and allergies can wreak havoc in your child’s life, so it’s best to get treatment for these conditions from a highly experienced and compassionate pediatrician.
At Westchester Park Pediatrics, we have a team of five compassionate pediatricians committed to providing highly individualized treatment for a comprehensive range of health issues of children, from asthma to acute illness to chronic disease. We also offer annual screenings, annual flu shots, annual physicals, and treatment of mental health problems like ADHD and depression.
To know more about our services or schedule a consultation, call us today at (914) 761-1717 or fill out our online appointment request form.
