Spring health cheat sheet

As the spring weather approaches, many common winter infections recede. However, warmer temperatures can introduce a new set of health challenges. As trees and flowers bloom and grass grows, susceptible children will start to display symptoms of seasonal allergies, triggering flares of asthma and eczema. And, As children spend more time outdoors, parents also need to watch for exposure to ticks, poison ivy and excess sun. Here are a few tips to keeping your child healthy this spring. Seasonal allergies: What can you do? During allergy season: have your child bathe after spending time outdoors to remove allergens from the skin and reduce symptoms keep your child with bad allergies indoors on days with high-pollen counts close windows and turn on air conditioning to help remove allergens from indoor air use cool compresses to relieve itching or stinging eyes Children with a history of seasonal allergic rhinitis should start medication BEFORE their symptoms develop. That usually means starting medicines at the end of March or in early April for spring allergies. It’s much easier to prevent allergy symptoms than to relieve them once they’ve appeared. Medication options include nasal anti-inflammatory sprays, oral antihistamine and eye antihistamine drops. Children with allergic asthma should have an asthma action plan from their pediatric provider and should be using their anti-inflammatory controller inhalers with appropriate spacer device throughout allergy season. ...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Health & Wellness Parenting allergies asthma Carolyn Sax conjunctivitis lyme disease sunburn Source Type: news