Overview
Because they come and go with the seasons, outdoor allergies are often called seasonal allergies – but they’re best known as hayfever . Hayfever is caused by an overreaction of your child’s immune system to certain pollens found outside from trees, grass or weeds. In the UK, hayfever is usually at its peak between late March and September.
Outdoor allergies can also be triggered by certain kinds of mould which can be found growing outside in dark, damp areas like piles of leaves or compost heaps.
It can often feel like seasonal allergies are everywhere. But there’s lots of things you can do to minimise your child’s exposure to outdoor allergens and help manage their symptoms, so your kids can be kids all summer long.
Select an allergy to learn more:
POLLEN ALLERGIES
MOULD ALLERGIES
CHILDREN'S ALLERGY SYMPTOMS
ITCHY, WATERY EYES
SNEEZING
ITCHY NOSE OR THROAT
NASAL CONGESTION
Pollen Allergies
Hayfever is an allergic reaction triggered by pollen , for example from weeds, trees and grass. One in ten people in the UK suffer from hayfever, and your children are more likely to have it if you have a family history of allergies. Typically, the reaction happens when pollen comes into contact with your mouth, eyes or throat.
Tips for Kids with Pollen Allergies
- PLAN PLAY TIME
Try to plan your kid’s outdoor activities when pollen counts are low, and try to keep your child inside on dry, hot and windy days when pollen counts are higher as wind can blow pollen further. There’s often less pollen in the air after rain, so it might be time to get the wellies out for some post-rain play!
- KEEP POLLEN OUTSIDE
Pollen spores can hitch a ride on your little one’s shoes, clothing and hair and get tracked inside. After spending time outdoors, have your children take off their shoes, change their clothes and take a quick bath to remove pollen.
- CLEAR THE AIR
When driving, keep windows up. Replace the pollen filter in your car's air vents regularly. You could also buy a pollen filter for your car’s air vents. At home, keep windows and doors shut to stop pollen from getting in.
- TAKE COUNT
Pollen levels change often and when they do, so can your child’s symptoms. Check the pollen count in your area with the Met Office forecast tool.
- SKIP THE LINE
Bedding or clothing hung out to dry on a clothesline may pick up pollen spores. If you can, you should dry your laundry inside to prevent this.
- BE PREPARED
Clarityn Allergy Syrup offers up to 24-hour relief in a great tasting child friendly mixed berries flavour. It is also non-drowsy in most users so kids can get back to playing and learning.
Mould Allergies
Overview
Microscopic mould spores float in the air like pollen , causing allergy symptoms. They can be found both indoors and outdoors.
Outdoors, moulds thrive in shady, damp areas like piles of damp or rotting leaves, grass cuttings and compost heaps. Indoors, mould grows in warm, damp spaces like the kitchen and bathroom.
Since mould thrives in warm, damp spaces, your child’s mould allergy symptoms may be more common in the autumn when the weather is mild and wet, especially if you live in an area where harvesting happens.
