What is it?
Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, affects as many as 15 to 20 per cent of the population in Britain. The main cause is grass pollen, although people can react to pollen from trees and other plants. The tendency to hayfever is inherited, and it is often linked to other allergic conditions such as asthma and eczema. Symptoms vary from mild to severe. School and exam performance has been shown to be poorer in children who have untreated hay fever. The main hay fever season is from early June to early August, although it can begin sooner and persist for longer.
Symptoms
Hay fever can cause sneezing, a runny nose, blocked nose, itching in the nose, throat, and deep in the ears, and headache. The eyes may be red, watery, itchy and gritty, and the whites of the eyes swell. Some sufferers feel a tightness in the chest, and have asthma attacks.
Treatment
The newer antihistamines should not cause drowsiness after the first day or two of taking them. Nasal decongestants can cure a blocked nose but may cause a rebound effect if used for more than a few days. Eye drops can also relieve sore eyes. Consult a doctor rather than relying on over-the-counter medicines. A GP will also be able to advise on dosage.
Prevention
If a child stays inside with doors and windows shut, hay fever can be prevented to a limited extent. If this is not feasible, consider using air ionising devices to precipitate pollen particles from the air (instead of being suspended in the air they will fall to the ground).
Do not have flowers, branches of trees or grasses in the nursery and make sure children with hay fever wash their hands after playing out of doors so they do not rub pollen into their eyes. Children with hay fever should be excused from playing out of doors on days when pollen counts are high.
