What can I do to help my child with allergies?

First, get a diagnosis. Your child’s doctor can identify allergy triggers and suggest the best treatment. Then your practical role starts. Parents can help kids avoid pollen or dust mites (or other triggers) and give them medication when needed. There might be longer term treatment options too.

Here are some steps you can take to stop allergy taking control of your child’s life:

1. Pick your battles and negotiate so kids can have fun AND avoid their trigger: Maybe they can meet friends somewhere indoors when pollen levels are high. Send your child to school with yummy allergen-free snacks. Bathe teddy regularly in the washing machine or pop the toy in the freezer to get rid of dust mites.

   Anyone who’ll be in charge of your child needs to know about their allergies. So talk to other family members and caregivers, school, playdate hosts, and so on. Talk to your child too.

2. Know when and how to give your child their symptom relief so that it’s most effective: For instance, there are different types of antihistamines, a common allergy medicine for kids. Fast-acting means kids should take them 30 minutes before visiting someone with a pet, for instance. Timed release antihistamines are best started 3 or 4 days before your child is likely to come into contact with their trigger. Your doctor will talk this through with you. Always read the product monograph.

3. Consider your child’s long-term health: Allergy immunotherapy can help the body learn not to overreact but to have less of a reaction to pollen, dust mites and other triggers. Kids may have fewer symptoms from a few months after starting treatment and the effect may continue after treatment has ended. The aim is to control the allergies and reduce a child’s need for regular allergy medication. The treatment is available as tablets and shots, depending on age and allergic trigger.