Allergy season is upon us, and if you have kids with allergies, you know the struggle of keeping them from the constant sniffles, itchy eyes and post-nasal drip. Here are ten ways to make the season easier for you and your little ones. 

1.Keep Your Windows Closed

As lovely as a spring or summer breeze can be, it brings in pollen that exacerbates your kids’ symptoms. Keeping them closed will keep them safe while they play inside. 

You can run fans or air conditioners if you want some airflow through your home. If you want to save some energy by letting in the breeze, you can purchase allergy filters to place on your windows, allowing air in after filtering most of the pollen and other allergens. 

2. Increase Your Handwashing 

Have your children wash their hands each time they come in from outdoor play as recommended by the experts at Nasal System Development Services. Doing so will remove allergens from their hands before they can run their eyes or spread the pollen to their indoor toys and games. Have them wash for 20 seconds with soap and warm water to ensure their hands are clean. 

Chances are they will still ingest some pollen while outside but washing their hands when they come back can help control the spread of allergens. 

3. Keep Extra Clothes on Hand 

A change of clothes is almost always a good idea if you have young kids. Accidents happen, and the option for clean and dry clothes is helpful. However, changing clothes immediately after playing outside can help reduce their exposure to allergens. 

While long sleeves and pants are helpful to keep allergens off of their skin, it isn’t always doable. Keeping a pack of cleansing wipes with your children’s fresh clothes can help you remove pollen from their face, arms and legs. 

4. Play Indoor Games 

It is hard to tell kids not to play outside, especially when the current generation has knowledge of technology like never before. However, for severe allergies, it is sometimes better to avoid going out on days with high pollen levels. 

Encouraging your kids to get creative and setting up indoor activities for them to do can make avoiding allergens less painful. Play board games, build a fort or imagine a world made from toys or pictures. Sacrificing a clean home for a few days throughout the seasons can help keep their worst symptoms at bay. 

5. Keep Tissues on Hand 

Allergies mean stuffed up, running noses and tissues are necessary if you do not want to end up with snotty hands and sleeves. 

Depending on their age and ability, you can provide each child with a travel pack of tissues to carry to school and through summer activities. To be more thorough, you can prepare a kit with tissues, a disposal bag and hand sanitizer. 

6. Use a HEPA Filter

A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is excellent for homes with kids susceptible to allergens. They can be pricey but significantly reduce your child’s exposure to pollen and dander. 

These filters also have the advantage of keeping the air clean from illnesses, making it slightly less likely you will catch their latest bug. 

7. Landscape Appropriately 

Controlling their allergen exposure during outside events is hard, but you can do something about your yard. 

You can use many allergy-friendly flowers and trees around your yard to reduce your child’s reactivity. Doing so lets them play without as much worry of a reaction. Roses, tulips and daffodils are attractive options that do not produce as much pollen as other plants. Elm, cedar and maple trees stand tall and do not make as many allergens.

It is an excellent idea to allergy-test your kids, so you can better understand what is triggering their reaction and avoid those items at home.  

8. Talk to Them About their Allergies

Kids often understand more than society gives them credit for and talking to them about their allergies is a great way to reduce flare-ups. 

Give your kids the information and tools they need to feel as good as possible when doing what they love. Explain that they may need to take extra precautions to keep clean and away from their allergens. Once they realize this-it might take more than one try–they are more likely to do what you ask them to to avoid feeling unwell. 

9. Inform their School 

If your child is experiencing allergic symptoms, it is a good idea to inform their school about it. You can work together to limit your kid’s exposure to their allergens and remind them to take the appropriate steps before and after they play outside. 

At the very least, telling their school about their allergies reduces concern that they are sick with something they will spread around their class. Also, inform leaders of any summer programs they attend or anyone who will watch them during allergy season. 

10. Visit the Pediatrician

Kids rarely enjoy going to the doctor but doing so can make a big difference in how your child feels during allergy season. 

Discuss different over-the-counter and prescription treatment options that can reduce their allergic reactions. You might undergo some trial and error before you find the best regimen. However, the right treatment plan will help your child run around in the fresh air without worrying so much about how they will feel physically. 

Making Allergy Season Bearable for You and Your Kids 

Allergy season can get frustrating. You want your kids to enjoy outside time with their family and friends without feeling bad. With these tips, you can improve their experience and sanity until common allergens die again.