Kids Allergies These Spring School Holidays: How to Nip Them in the Bud

by Steven Litas

Ah, spring. The season of blooming wildflowers, warmer weather, longer days, and for many—achoo! 

Spring has sprung here in Perth, and with school holidays just around the corner, it's no surprise that your little ones are excited to get outside and enjoy all the fun activities this season has to offer, and we can’t blame them! Whether you're planning on keeping the kids local or doing some family road-tripping, keep in mind that it's allergy season. Mother nature and your little one's allergies don’t wait for anyone.

One of the biggest crossovers with allergies in children is eczema (atopic dermatitis). An increase in allergies for children more often than not results in a spike in eczema. Your child’s skin may become dry, red, itchy, and bumpy. The skin's barrier function is harmed by eczema (the "glue" of your skin). The skin becomes more sensitive, prone to infection, and dry due to this lack of barrier function

The good news is that there are several things you can do to prevent it from even starting, or if not successful, reduce their symptoms, or at least make the experience more bearable for them (and you).

Prevention

Blackmores Vitamins have you covered when it comes to preventing allergies and providing that additional protection this season. Here is what we recommend you take. 

Blackmores Horseradish Garlic + Vitamin C Immune Support

Combinations of garlic, horseradish, and vitamin C effectively treat hay fever as they work synergistically and can be taken as a prophylactic all the way through allergy season.

Blackmores horseradish, garlic and vitamin C is a great allergy preventative as it:

  • Clears sinuses and reduces mucus congestion. 
  • Relieves symptoms of hay fever and sinusitis.
  • Supports immune system  
  • Relieves nasal congestion. 

Let's break it down. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine that reduces allergy reactions by preventing immune cells from releasing histamine. Vitamin C reduces allergic sensitivity and inflammation. Additionally, it lessens wheezing and mucus production in people with hay fever and associated allergies.

Horseradish 

This aromatic root vegetable helps to cleanse nasal passages by acting as a decongestant. Horseradish's anti-oxidant properties have been discovered to strengthen the immune system and enhance the creation and activity of white blood cells, the body's main line of defence.

Garlic

By enhancing the immune system, garlic can aid with hay fever symptoms. It relieves nasal congestion, and its strong antibacterial qualities assist chronic hay fever sufferers to avoid secondary respiratory infections. The natural anti-histamine quercetin is also abundant in garlic. The best time to take garlic is before the hay fever season starts.

Effective Treatments are Available 

If these preventatives, unfortunately, don’t work for your little ones then don’t fret, allergies run rampant in the spring and sometimes we simply don’t win the battle. The best thing we can do now is try to eliminate a bit of their discomfort.

 

 

Antihistamine Tablets 

This medication works by preventing histamine — the chemical released during an allergic reaction. Histamines cause inflammation, swelling and itching in your child’s body. Antihistamines help relieve these symptoms by blocking histamine from binding to its receptors in the body. Antihistamines tablets don't cure allergies — they only reduce symptoms such as sneezing, and itchy and irritated eyes

We recommend:

  • Claryntyne 
  • Telfast 
  • Inner health Hayfever Relief

Nasal steroid sprays

We’d recommend this for children who suffer from nasal congestion during allergy season because they work by reducing inflammation in the nasal passages. This allows their nose to drain more easily, which prevents nasal drip — a thick mucus that drips down from the back of the throat and causes coughing fits and sneezing attacks.

We recommend:

  • Nasonex Allergy Nasal Spray 
  • Azep Nasal Spray 

Eczema Treatment

If your child’s allergies have spiked an eczema flare-up we highly recommend Moogoo products to help bring some moisture back to their skin. 




Talk to Your Pharmacist

Overwhelmed with the options? We recommend talking with your pharmacist for advice on choosing the best products for your little one’s needs. Our team at Padbury Pharmacy is well trained in the prevention and treatment of spring allergies, and we’re passionate about helping our family (that’s you!). From nasal sprays to antihistamines to eczema cream, we’re here to determine what kinds of treatments might be best for them based on their specific symptoms. This way, you can be sure that you’re taking the right steps towards your little one breathing a little easier — and enjoying their holidays a little more. 

Don’t let allergies make your little ones miserable! We’re here to help. 

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