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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 Children's allergies can affect sleep, learning Ah ... ah ... ah ... choo! This is the time of the year when many children around me are sneezing. If it isn't a cold, it might be allergic rhinitis, also called hay fever. Nasal allergies in kids tend to flare every spring from plant pollens in the air. Allergy symptoms contribute to fatigue, trouble sleeping and learning problems in children. These problems in particular may make it especially difficult for you and your child to cope. Can anything help? One solution is to learn more about your child's condition. In point of fact, nine out of 10 parents feel the need for better education about allergies, according to a survey sponsored by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Last spring, trained telephone interviewers talked to 500 parents of children with diagnosed hay fever, allergic rhinitis or nasal allergies who had experienced symptoms in the past year. Their responses were compared to 500 parents of children without allergies. The interviews were representative of a nationwide sample. Here I've summarized facts and results that I think may help parents of children with allergies. What is allergic rhinitis? In this condition, an allergic response to foreign substances results in chronic inflammation of the mucous membranes inside the nose. Subsequent exposure to pollens, dust, dander or other allergens can trigger symptoms such as sneezing, itching, nasal congestion, runny nose, post-nasal drip, cough and tearing eyes. Other signs include fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating and poor appetite. Up to 40 percent of children in the U.S. suffer from allergic rhinitis. The condition can occur seasonally or year-round. How do allergies affect children? Children may feel tired, cranky and miserable when suffering from allergies. Feeling poorly can cause kids to limit their activities, the survey found. Twice as many children with allergic rhinitis limited their activities due to health concerns compared to children without allergies. Bothersome symptoms interfered with school performance in 40 percent of children with allergic rhinitis. This compared to just 10 percent of children without allergic rhinitis. Parents reported a 29 percent drop in children's productivity when allergy symptoms were at their worst. Overall, allergies result in 2 million lost school days for children and 3.5 million lost workdays for parents each year. About a third of children with allergies don't sleep well and a fourth wake up during the night. Sleep problems occur nearly three times as often in children with allergies compared to those without allergies, according to the survey. Quality of life is affected. Ninety percent of children with allergic rhinitis have episodes of discomfort they can't ignore. Almost half may also experience serious symptoms such as headache, earache or facial pain. Be sure to have these symptoms evaluated by your child's doctor, I would add. Can any remedies provide relief? Effective options are available to help bring your child's allergies under control. These include: Allergen avoidance: For indoor allergies, this may mean washing sheets weekly in hot water and keeping carpets and pets out of the bedroom. For outdoor allergies, staying indoors when pollen levels are highest between 5 and 10 a.m. can ease symptoms. Antihistamines: These drugs help relieve nasal itching, runny nose and sneezing. Less sedating prescriptions are recommended for children. Nasal sprays: Over-the-counter cromolyn sodium or prescription steroid sprays can treat nasal drainage and stuffiness. Allergy shots: If symptoms persist, ask your doctor whether allergy shots are a good idea for your child. For more information: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, www.aaaai.org. Contact Dr. Elizabeth Smoots, a board-certified family physician and fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, at doctor@practicalprevention.com. Her columns are not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Before adhering to any recommendations in this column consult your health care provider. © 2008 Elizabeth S. Smoots

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