How to cope with Childhood Hayfever

What Causes Hayfever?

Airborne substances (pollens) that attack the upper respiratory passages – the nose, sinus, throat and the eyes. From April to May tree pollens are the main allergen, from May to August it's grass pollen, and in late summer weed pollens.

What are the Symptoms of Hayfever?

Itchy and watery eyes, frequent sneezing, a blocked-up or runny nose, itching on the roof of the mouth, wheezing and coughing. Hayfever sufferers can be more vulnerable to other allergic diseases, such as asthma, and are more likely to suffer sleep loss because of extreme nasal congestion. Sinus problems may also be exacerbated.

How common is Hayfever?

About 15 per cent of the population in all industrialised countries. Symptoms usually appear in childhood, from around eight years, and lessen by the ages of 30 or 40. Hayfever is rare in a child under three.

What is the Latest Research?

Children with siblings, or who go to nurseries, are less prone to hayfever, suggests a large international study in Thorax. This supports the 'hygiene hypothesis' that bacterial assault from childhood infections may programme the immune system to not respond to allergens. Susceptible children (i.e. those with allergic parents) who had siblings, and only children who attended nursery, also had less hayfever, suggesting that exposure to other children is protective for those who are 'sensitised'.

How is Hayfever best Treated?

Antihistamines, anti inflammatory sprays and corticosteroid sprays can all be prescribed for children over six. 'Avoid decongestants' says Maureen Jenkins, allergy nurse at Allergy UK, 'as they can make the problem worse'. Allergy shots have also been shown to be effective, protecting against grass, ragweed and tree pollen. Research published in the British Medical Journal reported that in a double-blind trial with 50 hayfever sufferers, those taking a homeopathic remedy reported a 28 per cent improvement in their symptoms over the placebo group.

Future Hayfever Treatments:

Anti-igE therapy and immunosuppressant drugs. GM technology is capable of engineering plants that are pollen-free. However, this is unlikely to be used as a solution, as the long-term effects of such genetically modified plants are unknown.

What you can do at home to treat Hayfever?

• Keep doors and windows shut during hayfever season.
• Get a friend to cut the lawn while you take the children out.
• "If your child suffers from hayfever, try removing wheat from her diet during the hayfever season" says Anne McIntyre, author of The Herbal Mother And Child. According to McIntyre, this could help the respiratory tract's mucous membranes to tolerate grass pollen and so reduce symptoms.
• For two months before the hayfever season, try giving your child a dessertspoonful of local honey with each meal. This will contain the type of pollen that inhabits your environment and might help to desensitise your child before the hayfever season starts.
• Chamomile and yarrow can be given as a daily tea to allergic children: they soothe the allergic response and inhibit histamine production. New Era Mineral Cell Salt Combination H for Hayfever and Allergic Rhinitis, £7.89 for 240 tablet is a homeopathic remedy that claims to work by correcting imbalances in the body's cells. For best results, give two tablets, three times a day; and when symptoms are acute, two tablets every half-hour.
• "I use a lot of chamomile when I treat children with hayfever" says Dee Atkinson, medical herbalist from Napiers, "because it has an anti-inflammatory effect and soothes irritation of the eyes, nose and throat." Ideally, I would combine this with nettle, which has a natural antihistamine action, and plantain. Plantain is a really old-fashioned herb that can be used to strengthen the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract"

A potent mixture of pharmaceutical grade organic chamomile, nettles and elderflower to reduce the effects of hay fever. Sprayed directly on the tongue and absorbed quickly. >> Hay Fever Spray £25, The Organic Pharmacy

An organic, drug-free pollen barrier balm made from natural ingredients. All ingredients are certified organic that can be used on its own or alongside other allergy medication. Suitable from birth >> HayMax Kids Pollen Barrier Balm, £7.29, Holland & Barrett

Fast relief from the symptoms of hayfever, skin allergies, food allergies, pet allergies, insect bites, nettle rash, hives and more. Suitable from 12mths >> Piriton Syrup 150ml, £4.99