$Unique_ID{PAR00091}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Hay Fever and Other Nasal Allergies}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Hay Fever Nasal Allergies congestion Sneezing discharge Itchy
nose membrane Paleness Headache hearing loss Bluish eye circles eyes Fatigue
allergic reaction nonallergenic pillow air conditioners dehumidifiers
Antihistamines decongestant nasal drops Mold molds foam-rubber pillows cat dog
dander bacterial infection infections fever earache swollen lymph nodes pollen
season seasonal pollens trees grasses weeds year-round dust molds feathers
birds horse cow eustachian tubes congestion shiners swollen mucous
membranes Decongestants ephedrine pseudoephedrine phenylpropanolamine
eosinophil white blood cells eosinophils}
$Log{}

Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Hay Fever and Other Nasal Allergies


     Quick Reference

     SYMPTOMS
     - Nasal congestion
     - Sneezing
     - Clear nasal discharge
     - Itchy nose
     - Paleness of the membranes inside the nose
     - Headache
     - Slight hearing loss
     - Bluish circles under the eyes
     - Fatigue

     HOME CARE
     - Try to keep the child away from the substances responsible for the
       allergic reaction.
     - Have the child sleep on a nonallergenic pillow.
     - The use of air conditioners or dehumidifiers can help remove
       allergy-causing substances from your home, as can filters on hot-air
       ducts.
     - Consult your doctor before giving the child medications for hay fever
       and other allergies.

     PRECAUTIONS
     - Antihistamines and decongestants can help relieve the allergic reaction
       but should be given only on a doctor's recommendation.
     - Repeated use of decongestant nasal drops or sprays can have a rebound
       effect and cause even worse congestion.
     - Mold may breed in foam-rubber pillows as they age.
     - The dander of a cat or dog allowed into the house only once can remain
       for weeks.
     - Nasal allergic reactions rarely occur as a reaction to foods, drinks,
       or medications.
     - Dander from guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, or mice does not usually
       cause hay fever.
     - A nasal allergic reaction can be followed by a bacterial infection,
       indicated by fever, earache, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, or thick
       nasal discharge.
     - A child with severe hay fever or other allergies may need a series of
       injections to make him less sensitive to allergy-causing substances.


     Allergic reactions of the membranes of the nose are often responses to
substances inhaled from the air.  When such a response occurs only during a
particular time of the year, it is usually hay fever, a seasonal allergy to
pollens of trees, grasses, or weeds.  (Pollens of flowers are usually too
heavy to be airborne or inhaled.)
     When a nasal allergy is present year-round, it may be caused by house
dust, molds, and feathers from pillows, comforters, or pet birds.  A nasal
allergy may also be a reaction to animal dander (tiny scales from the skin of
an animal) from a cat, dog, horse, or cow.  (Horse or cow dander may be
present in felt carpet padding that contains horse or cow hair.)  Nasal
allergies are not usually caused by dander from guinea pigs, hamsters,
gerbils, or mice.  Nasal allergies are rarely a reaction to foods, beverages,
or medications.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     The major symptoms are nasal congestion, sneezing, clear nasal discharge,
and itching of the nose.  The child frequently rubs and wrinkles his nose.
The membranes inside the nose are pale or white instead of the normal pink.
     The eyes may also be affected.  Congestion in the sinuses may cause a
headache.  The ears feel blocked and are sometimes painful.  The child may not
hear as well as usual if there is congestion in the eustachian tubes (which
connect the nose with the ears).  The child may have bluish circles under the
eyes, called "allergic shiners," which may be due to obstruction of blood flow
in the area by swollen mucous membranes.  The child may snore and complain of
fatigue.
     If oral antihistamines recommended by your doctor quickly relieve the
symptoms, this is often a clue that the nasal congestion is due to an allergy
rather than to some other illness.
     Secondary (additional) bacterial infections are common complications of
hay fever.  Symptoms of a secondary bacterial infection include fever,
moderate to severe earache, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and opaque
(green, yellow, or milky) nasal discharge.

HOME CARE

     Consult your doctor before giving a child medications for hay fever and
other nasal allergies.  The most commonly used medications are oral
antihistamines.  Decongestants containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or
phenylpropanolamine may provide added relief.
     Whenever possible, try to avoid exposing the child to substances that
seem to cause nasal allergic reactions.  (The dander of a cat or dog allowed
in the house only once can remain in the home for four to six weeks.)  Keep
the windows closed against pollens, and use an air conditioner if possible.
Hot-air ducts should have filters at room inlets to reduce the amount of dust
in the air.  Use nonallergenic pillows, and keep the house as dry and free of
humidity as possible.

PRECAUTIONS

  -  Mold may breed in foam-rubber pillows, which are considered
     nonallergenic, as they age.
  -  Avoid the repeated use of decongestant nose drops and nasal sprays.
     These can cause worse congestion after the initial brief period of
     relief.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

     The doctor will confirm the diagnosis by examining the child's nose and
by testing nasal secretions for specific white blood cells called eosinophils.
The doctor may be able to identify the offending substances by investigating
the child's medical history, or may recommend allergy skin testing.  A program
of desensitization shots to decrease the child's sensitivity to the
allergy-causing substances may be useful in some cases.

RELATED TOPICS:  Asthma; Common cold; Earaches; Eye allergies; Glands,
swollen; Headaches; Sinusitis