Zorba Paster: Be on the lookout for allergies in your child

Allergies are not fun, just ask anyone who has them. It might not be allergy season for lots of us, but it is for children. Dust mites, animal dander, pollen from the flowers you bring home — all of these can trigger symptoms. And these symptoms are particularly troubling for children.

One of my grandchildren has allergies to fish, eggs and sesame, so when they visit, we have to clear the house of these things. But she also appears to be allergic to the dog or perhaps the flowers I often have around the house. It’s tricky to know exactly.

Before I talk about what you can do for this, class, let’s review the symptoms of allergies. Kids get lots of viral infections, and these are not allergies. If you think your child has allergies, take them to your primary care provider and have them take a gander to evaluate potential symptoms.

Allergies can cause a constantly runny nose, which often means they’re always wiping it. And too often, they can’t breathe through their nose because it’s too stuffy. Sometimes kids with allergies will have a darker coloring under their eyes, nicknamed allergic shiners. And their eyes often puff up, get red and tear a lot.

Now, what about different types of allergies and their treatments? Let’s dive in.

Seasonal allergies come at a certain time of year when the big offender, pollen, is in the air. These usually take a while for a child to develop, so infants and toddlers often do not have seasonal allergies. Repeated exposure is the key here.

Dust mites are a common problem. You’ll need an allergist to do a skin test here to make the diagnosis. The treatment is to keep your home clean from dust by regularly vacuuming with a high efficiency particulate arresting, or HEPA, filter; washing bedding in hot water weekly; using allergen-proof covers for mattresses and pillows; and minimizing clutter, where the mites can thrive.

Pets can cause allergies. Yes, some dogs are less likely to do so, like poodles, but they can still shed enough to trigger an allergy.

If your child is symptomatic, any pet should not sleep in the same room as your kid and definitely not in the same bed. Washing your child’s hands with soap and water after they’ve been in contact with a pet can be a lifesaver, as kids are touching their eyes all the time.

You might not be able to keep a kid completely away from a pet you think might be causing allergies, but just reducing the amount of dander a child gets on their hands, especially before they go to sleep, can be helpful.

What can you do to treat kids with over-the-counter medications?

Pick a non-sedating antihistamine, such as generic Allegra or Zyrtec. They’re potent without making your kids too sleepy, like Benadryl will. If they’re still suffering, then giving Benadryl at night also is an option.

Steroid nasal sprays can be amazingly effective, and you can now buy them without a prescription. One spray a day for your child can begin to correct the inflammation in the nose and also keep the eyes from dripping as much.

My spin: Try changing your child’s environment and use the OTC medicines first, but if they fail then a visit to an allergist is the best way to go. Stay well.