Pollen Allergies in Children

Many children suffer from pollen allergies. Children may be allergic to one or more different types of pollen. Pollen allergies can be bothersome and may require treatment.

Types

• Children may be allergic to pollen from grasses, weeds, and trees. Common grass allergies include sweet vernal grass, Kentucky bluegrass, Bermuda grass, orchard grass, Johnson grass, and redtop grass. Common weed allergies include ragweed, sagebrush, lamb's quarters, English plaintain, redroot pigweed, and Russian thistle allergies. Common tree allergies include box elder, oak, birch, ash, elm, hickory, pecan, and mountain cedar trees.

Time Frame

• Pollen allergies may only occur during certain seasons when pollen is present. Some children may only have allergic symptoms during one pollen season while others may be allergic to various pollens that are found throughout the year. Pollen is also more likely to cause a response when counts are high in the mornings or on dry, windy days.

Identification

• Pollen allergies can be identified using a skin test. This test is performed by injecting tiny amounts of several types of potential allergens under the top layer of skin. After a specified time, the skin can be examined to see which allergens produced an allergic response. The allergic response will have an appearance similar to that of a mosquito bite.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of pollen allergies include itchy nose, sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, itchy throat, and coughing.

Treatment

• Prescription or over-the-counter antihistamines may be used to prevent allergic responses to pollen. Over-the-counter antihistamines should only be used with the approval of a pediatrician. Children with severe pollen allergies may be treated with allergy shots, which aim to desensitize children to the pollens which are causing an allergic response.