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Work out what can cause allergic rhinitis in your little one & how to spot & treat symptoms
Most of us know someone who's allergic to pollen and is affected by hay fever, so it's worth bearing in mind that babies and very young children may suffer from hay fever and other allergies too.
Hay fever falls under the condition allergic rhinitis. Put simply, allergic rhinitis is when your nose gets irritated by something you’re allergic to, whether that’s pollen, animals, mould or more.
Here are some pointers on how to spot and treat the symptoms of allergic rhinitis in babies and children.
What are the symptoms of allergies in children?
Allergy symptoms are caused when the body's natural defences mistake a generally harmless substance (like pollen or mould) as an enemy and trigger an immune response, resulting in the release of a chemical called histamine.
Children may be affected by allergens such as pollen and house dust in a similar way to adults. In babies and infants, however, the symptoms may be missed because they're similar to many viral infections – such as the common cold – as well as other conditions, such as asthma. Additionally, babies and infants who can't yet speak are unable to tell us they're feeling ill.
Allergic rhinitis symptoms may include:
- Sneezing
- An itchy nose
- A runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, red or watery eyes
- A cough
- The roof of your mouth being itchy
Often, it's only when we spot a pattern to a small child's symptoms that we may suspect allergic rhinitis. Such patterns might include watery eyes and sneezing only in the summer, or wheezing only around cats or dogs.
If you or your partner have an allergy, this raises the chances of one or more of your children also having an allergy.
What causes allergic rhinitis in children?
The triggers for allergic rhinitis in children are the same as in adults. The following are among the most common:
Hay fever
Hay fever is an allergy to pollen – dust-like particles released by plants in order to reproduce. Symptoms can start as early as March and continue through until October.
Your baby or child might be allergic only to a certain pollen type, and have symptoms for just part of this time. Or, they could be allergic to more than one pollen type (such as tree and grass pollen) and exhibit symptoms from spring all the way through to autumn.
Hay fever symptoms also vary depending on weather conditions, which affect the amount of pollen in the air (pollen count). The count is usually at its highest in hot, dry and windy conditions, and this is when symptoms are likely to be at their worst.
Although not serious, hay fever can interfere with sleep and might also affect your child’s ability to concentrate at school. You can help to ease hay fever symptoms in children of all ages by:
- Putting petroleum jelly or a special pollen barrier balm around their nostrils, to trap pollen
- Washing their clothes if they've been outside, to rid them of pollen
- Keeping windows and doors shut
- Vacuuming regularly and dusting with a damp cloth
- Buying a pollen filter for your car's air vents
Pet allergies
The most common animal allergies are to cats and dogs, and it's caused by a reaction to proteins in the animals' saliva and urine. Because cats and dogs groom themselves by licking, these allergens are transferred to their skin and hair, and become airborne.
Particles of dried pet urine can also become airborne.
You can help control pet allergy symptoms by:
- Keeping pets outside as much as possible
- Not allowing them in bedrooms
- Washing pets, and all their bedding, at least once a week
- Grooming them outside
- Buying an air filter for your child's bedroom
- Ventilating your house with fans and by opening windows
- Keeping pet toilet areas as far from your house as possible
Dust allergy
This is a reaction to dust mites, which are tiny insects (invisible to the naked eye) that feed on skin flakes from humans and animals. Dust mites prefer areas where skin scales gather, such as bedding, carpets, soft furnishings, soft toys and clothing. It's possible to manage dust allergy symptoms by:
- Regularly dusting with a damp cloth
- Decluttering, so dusting is easier
- Keeping clothes, books and glasses in closed cupboards or drawers
- Washing clothes at a minimum of 60 degrees, to kill mites
- Choosing hard floors over carpets, which are difficult to clean
- Buying a highly efficient vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter
Spore allergy
Moulds produce pollen-like particles called spores, which act as allergens for some of us. Mould loves damp conditions and is usually found in properties that have leaking pipes, broken guttering, rotten window frames or a damaged roof. Poor ventilation is another common cause.
Spore allergies can be eased by:
- Fixing leaking pipes, guttering, windows and roofs
- Drying clothes outdoors whenever possible
- Fitting extraction units in damp areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms
- Keeping your home ventilated, by opening doors and windows
Are allergies worse at night?
It’s common for allergic rhinitis symptoms to feel worse at night because a lot of allergens, such as dust, spores and pet dander, can build up inside the home. Take a look at the tips above to help keep allergens at bay.
How can I treat my child's hay fever or allergic rhinitis?
You can often treat allergic rhinitis without seeing a GP.
In the first instance, try to keep your child away from things that may trigger their allergies. You could also try using medicines, such as antihistamines or decongestant nasal sprays or eye drops, to help ease the symptoms. It’s important to note though, that decongestants shouldn’t be used by children under six.
If you’re not sure which medicines to choose, pop in to speak to your local pharmacist who can advise you on specific treatments.
While most cases of allergic rhinitis can be managed with appropriate treatment, it's important to speak to a GP if symptoms are severe, getting worse or affecting daily life. If pharmacy medicines don’t help to ease your symptoms, your GP may prescribe you other treatment, or they may refer you to a specialist for further tests if it’s not clear what’s causing your allergies.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if my baby has hay fever?
Symptoms of hay fever in babies can include:
- Frequent sneezing
- Blocked or runny nose
- Itchy ears, throat and/or mouth
- Red, swollen or watery eyes
Can a six-month-old have antihistamines?
Over the counter antihistamines are not recommended for children under the age of one.
Speak to your GP or pharmacist if you’re looking for a suitable allergy treatment for a young child, and always check the leaflet of any medicine to make sure it’s suitable before giving it to your child.
Can babies under one have allergies?
Babies and young children can get hay fever and other allergies, however there is limited research into this age group.
When do babies start showing symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
While it’s possible for allergy symptoms to begin at any age, most children develop symptoms of hay fever between the ages of three and five. Symptoms usually become noticeable by the time a child is 10.
