Hay Fever in Children
Hay fever in children is common, with up to 30 per cent of children experiencing symptoms.
Most allergy sufferers first start experiencing symptoms in early childhood, and can continue to cause issues for school aged children.
Symptoms of Hay Fever in Children
The symptoms of hay fever in children are often similar to adults, including;
- sneezing
- runny/blocked nose
- red, itchy, swollen and/or watery eyes
- itchy ears, nose, throat and roof of the mouth
- skin rashes/hives
Although, there are some distinguishing symptoms of hay fever in children, including;
- frequent eye infections (from rubbing their itchy eyes)
- recurrent ear infections that can lead to glue ear (as the eustachian tubes are more horizontal during childhood)
- the “allergic salute” where kids rub their nose in an upward direction using their fingers, palm or back of the hand
- increased nose picking due to increased mucous production
What causes hay fever in children?
Hay fever is triggered by reacting to the small particles in the air that we breathe. These particles get stuck in the small hairs in the nose, as well as in to the eyes and on the skin.
Hay fever in children can be classified into two categories, depending on the time of year symptoms are experienced.
- Perennial hay fever is experienced year-round, and is usually triggered by:
- dust and dust mites
- moulds
- pet dander
2. Seasonal hay fever is usually only experienced during spring and summer, as triggers usually are:
- pollens
- grasses, trees and weeds
- plant phenolics
- terpenes
Most hay fever sufferers experience mild to moderate symptoms year round due to the perennial triggers, with more intense flare-ups in spring due to seasonal triggers.
The Atopic Triad
Those who have reactions in early childhood are also more likely to develop reactions to airborne allergens later in life, which can lead to eczema, hay fever and asthma (the “atopic triad” of symptoms).
This is thought to be due to overproduction of an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE) during infancy, the antibody responsible for dreaded allergy symptoms.
Natural Hay Fever Treatment for Children
Anti-histamines are usually the first treatment option, but the body can quickly build up tolerance and reduce their effectiveness long-term. Immunotherapy can often help, but takes many years to treat just one allergen, which isn’t feasible for children with multiple reactions.
Positive Association Technique (PAT) is a non-invasive holistic therapy, which:
- draws on acupressure and kinesiology techniques
- aims to re-train your body
- may reduce your reactions to food and environmental substances
At Health & Wellness Australia & Auckland (HWA), our Naturopaths use a form of muscle testing (kinesiology) to help pinpoint the substances triggering your allergy symptoms.
Following this, we perform a natural allergy treatment called Positive Association Technique (PAT), which aims to reduce your reactions and symptoms
We see lots of children and babies in the clinic who respond well to PAT. For children under 10 years old, we use one of the parents as a “surrogate” tester, and adjust the size and pressure of our acustim to suit the child’s size.
Some cases can be complex, so our Naturopaths may also recommend supplements and herbs, and provide lifestyle advice to help you achieve the best long-term results.
Get in touch
- Call us on 1300 853 023 / 09 479 5997 (NZ) to chat to our friendly staff
- Send us your question HERE
- Request a Free PAT Information E-PACK HERE
Please note this blog is general information only. Always consult your healthcare professional before making any diet or lifestyle changes
Related Articles
Do Kids Outgrow Allergies?
Allergies can develop at any point in your life, but for most people, they develop during early childhood. Food allergies affect 2 per cent of adults and up to 5 per cent of children, so can you grow out of allergies?
Preventing Allergies in Kids
A child is more likely to develop allergies if one or both parents have them. So it’s empowering to know that you can take simple steps before, during and after pregnancy, preventing allergies in children.
