Sneezes Snuff Out Summer Fun

It’s summertime, and the living is wheezy, at least for the 15 to 30 percent of children across the nation who suffer from seasonal allergies.

Specialists at Texas Children’s Hospital advise parents to be especially diligent in protecting their children from allergies during the long, hot summer.

"The warm summer climate brings many opportunities for outdoor fun. However, summer is the peak growing season for plants and weeds, which are major allergy triggers," said William T. Shearer, M.D., chief of the allergy and immunology service at Texas Children’s and professor of pediatrics and immunology at Baylor College of Medicine.

However, not all allergens are outdoors; many can be found inside the home, such as pet dander, said Shearer.

While outdoor allergies most often are triggered by airborne pollens and molds, indoor allergens are often triggered by dust produced from fibers and the breakdown of plant and animal material.

"We’re also seeing a rise in the incidence of allergies in children who live in inner cities due to higher levels of smog and heat," Shearer said. "Cities have a variety of potential allergy triggers."

Symptoms of allergies include a blocked or runny nose with sneezing, watery eyes, itching, rashes, coughing and wheezing.

"If your child repeatedly has symptoms, it’s wise to have him or her evaluated for allergies," Shearer said.

Despite the rising incidence of childhood allergies, parents can take steps to manage allergies in children:

• During peak allergy season, run the air conditioning, as the system helps to filter out allergens like pollen and ragweed.
• Nonsedating antihistamines and nasal sprays help control allergies and relieve symptoms.
• Immunotherapy, a series of injections that builds up the child’s resistance to allergens, is very effective for a wide range of allergies.

---

©2006 Texas Medical Center

---

E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/07_15_02/page_12.html