Common childhood illnesses: Nasal allergy

Most parents can easily miss out the first signs of nasal allergies in their children. Most of the initial signs resemble regular cough and cold, and your child may just have a runny nose and no other problem.

However, if you notice that your child has these problems throughout the year, it could point towards some or the other type of nasal allergy.

What causes nasal allergy?

The main culprits for causing nasal allergies in children include dust mites (which are often found a lot in homes without being visible to the eye), shedding and hair from pets, pollen and so on.

One common nasal allergy is hay fever, which is a condition when there is pollen in the wind and the child feels an itching and sneezing in the nose. When it gets worse, your child may continue sneezing uncontrollably. The most common symptoms include watery and itching eyes and frequent sneezing.

These allergies can cause stuffy nose problems, making it difficult for your child to breathe. In some cases, it can also cause production of fluids in the ears, leading to ear infections. If not treated in time, the nasal allergy can make breathing so uncomfortable that your child may start breathing through the mouth on a regular basis.

Common signs

Here are some of the most common signs of nasal allergy:

1. Stuffy or runny nose
2. Pain in the ears
3. Difficulty in hearing
4. Inability to concentrate
5. Sleep disturbance and dark circles
6. Irritable
7. Refuses to eat
8. Always exhausted

How to treat?

The following methods can help to ease your child and reduce the occurrence of nasal allergies:

1. If your child is suffering from hay fever, it is best to let your child sleep in an air-controlled room, so that there are no allergens present from the outdoors.
2. If your child is suffering from year-round nasal allergies, it is important to get a full blood test done by the doctor. This will help the doctor understand what is causing or triggering the allergies and treat it accordingly.
3. In addition to the above, you can also help to prevent nasal allergies in your child by regularly dusting your home. Make sure you do so when your child is not around. The best way to remove dust from your home is to use a vacuum cleaner about twice a week.
4. Remove soft toys as they accumulate a lot of dust.

Make sure to keep your child well hydrated, as it will help strengthen the immune system and fight against infections and allergies.