Seasonal allergies are commonly referred to as hay fever.  They are the body’s reaction to airborne particles such as pollen. They usually occur during certain times of the year such as  when outdoor molds release their spores, and trees, grasses, and weeds release tiny pollen particles into the air to fertilize other plants.

The immune system of victims treat these allergens as invaders and release chemicals including histamines into the bloodstream to defend against them. It’s the release of these chemicals that causes allergy symptoms.

What are the symptoms of seasonal allergies ?

Some allergies are easily identified by the pattern of symptoms that follows exposure to a particular allergen. Others are subtle and others mimic other conditions.

Your  child may have allergies if  she has repeated or chronic cold-like symptoms that last a week or more or that develop at about the same time of the year. They include the following :

• runny nose
• sneezing
• nasal stuffiness
• sniffling
• snorting
• throat clearing
• nose rubbing
• itching , runny eyes
• itching or tingling sensation in the mouth and throat

Itching is a hallmark of an allergy .  Coughing , wheezing, difficulty problems and  other respiratory problems may all indicate allergies. Recurrent red, itchy, dry, sometime scaly rashes in the creases of the skin, wrists, and ankles also may indicate an allergy.

How are seasonal allergies diagnosed ?

Seasonal allergies are fairly easy to diagnose because the pattern of symptoms come back year to year after exposure to allergens. Your health care provider will ask you about symptoms and when they appear. Based on the symptoms and  a physical exam, a diagnosis can be made. The doctor may also refer you to  an allergist for blood or allergy skin tests.

How are seasonal allergies treated ?

There is no real cure for seasonal allergies but you can relieve symptoms. You can start by reducing or eliminating exposure to allergens. You can do the following during allergy season

• keep your windows closed
• use air conditioning if possible
• stay indoors when pollen counts are high
• children should wash or shower and change clothing after playing outside
• children with seasonal allergies should not mow the lawn

If these steps dont prove effective, there are medications to ease allergy symptoms. These include

• decongestants
• antihistamines
• nasal spray steroids

If  medications cannot contain the symptoms, your doctor will recommend taking your child to an allergist or immunologist for regular allergy shots ( immunotherapy ) which can help desensitize  kids to allergens.