Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hayfever, can occur at any time of year, depending on what your child is allergic to. In the spring, allergy to tree pollens will trigger it off, in the summer, various grasses, and in autumn, with the damp weather, moulds can cause problems. The sufferer reacts against these triggers, known as allergens. For some reason, the immune system over-reacts and releases antibodies and histamine, which lead to symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing and congestion. The child may also feel more tired and irritable as they cope with the symptoms of the allergy. Children with hayfever may also suffer from related diseases such as asthma or eczema. They are also more likely to suffer if any of these conditions run in the family.
What you can do
Try to minimize contact with known allergens. Take note of the day’s pollen count during the summer and keep doors and windows, including car windows, closed during high count days. Regularly clean your child’s mattress, bed covers and any soft furnishings that pollen can cling to. An ionizer may help to filter the air. Get your children some fun sunglasses -they’ll love them and they will also keep airborne particles from entering the eyes (although be sure they have a proper ultra-violet filter to prevent eye damage).
Treatment
Naturopathy
A naturopath would aim to build up the immune system and general health of the child to help the body fight off what it sees as foreign invaders. To help this, dairy products, which help to produce mucus, may need to be eliminated from the diet. Fresh fruit and vegetables in the diet would be emphasized and vitamin and mineral salt supplements may be advised.
Acupuncture
Practitioners find acupuncture can work well in treating hayfever, eczema and asthma, although it does depend on the individual child. It stimulates the points relating to the large intestine, spleen and lungs, reheving symptoms and related stress.
Herbal medicine
Plantain, which acts as an expectorant, may be advised. Elderflower also contains properties which will help ease catarrhal inflammation, and Nettles, which act as an astringent and tonic, may prove beneficial.
Reflexology
To help combat hayfever, the part of the foot worked on will relate to the adrenal glands which produce adrenaline, the ‘fight or flight’ hormone and can help stop the body from over-reacting to supposed invaders or allergens. The endocrine system will also be worked on as the endocrine glands help to regulate the internal functions of the body.
Biochemic tissue salts
A homoeopath, naturopath or herbalist may also give your child tissue salts. These may be given individually for particular symptoms such as runny nose and watery eyes or for the mucus, or they may be given Combination H, which contains more than one tissue salt which may be able to help reheve symptoms.
Other therapies that may be beneficial: homoeopathy, hypnotherapy, osteopathy.