HAY FEVER (NOSE ALLERGIES)

Main Symptoms

  • Clear nasal discharge with sneezing, sniffing, and nasal itching.
  • Eye allergies (itchy, red, watery and puffy) are commonly associated.
  • Ear and sinus congestion may also be associated.
  • A tickling, scratchy sensation in the back of the throat can be associated.
  • Itchy ear canals, itchy skin, and hoarse voice are also seen.
  • Symptoms occur during pollen season.
  • Similar symptoms during the same month of the previous year.
  • No fever.

Cause

  • Hay fever is an allergic reaction of the nose and sinuses to an inhaled substance, usually a pollen.

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

  • Doesn't look like hay fever, see COLDS.

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR HAY FEVER (NOSE ALLERGIES)

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If

  • You think your child needs to be seen.
  • Lots of coughing.
  • Lots of yellow or green secretions from the nose present for more than 3 days.

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

  • You have other questions or concerns.
  • Hay fever symptoms interfere with sleep or school after taking antihistamines for 2 days.
  • Diagnosis of hay fever has never been confirmed by your doctor.
  • Year-round symptoms of nasal allergies.

Parent Care at Home If

  • Hay fever and you don't think your child needs to be seen.
^Back to Top

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR HAY FEVER

  1. Antihistamines:  Give antihistamines continuously during pollen season (continuously is the key to control).
    • Chlorpheniramine (e.g. chlortrimeton) products are effective and don't need a prescription (any antihistamine you have will do, but some may cause more drowsiness). See dosage chart for chlorpheniramine.
    • The bedtime dosage is especially important for healing the lining of the nose.
    • Long-acting products (less dosages per day) and combination antihistamine-decongestant products (less sedating) may be more helpful.
    • Loratadine: Newer antihistamine that causes less sedation (OTC in 2003).
      • Dosage: 10 mg tablet once daily in morning (orally dissolving tablet also available)
      • Indication: weight > 66 pounds (30 kg) AND drowsiness interferes with school
      • Limitation: doesn't control hay fever as well as older antihistamines.
  2. Eye Allergies:  For eye symptoms, wash the pollen off the face and eyelids. Then apply cold compresses.  Antihistamine vasoconstrictor eye drops (no prescription needed) will also help.
  3. Wash Off Pollen:  Remove pollen from the nose with nasal washes (using warm tap water) whenever needed.  Instill 2 or 3 nose drops in each nostril followed by blowing the nose.  Repeat until open.  Remove pollen from the hair and skin with hair washing and a shower, especially before bedtime.
  4. Expected Course:  Since pollen allergies recur each year, learn to control the symptoms.
  5. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Symptoms aren't controlled in 2 days with continuous antihistamines.
    • Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
^Back to Top

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Pediatric HouseCalls Online. Copyright © 2000-2004 Barton Schmitt, M.D. FAAP

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2004

See Other Topics:

View Anatomic Index of Topics