school age
Get ready for colourful flowers, lush green grass and all the sneezing you can imagine. Welcome to allergy season! Here’ s how to survive spring.
As we approach spring, many people may be thankful for the warmer weather, but there’ s another factor they dread.
“ Spring can be a challenging season for allergy and asthma sufferers because pollen levels rise as trees, grasses, and plants begin to bloom,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health. Pollen can trigger sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
“ For people with asthma, exposure to pollen and other seasonal allergens can irritate the airways, worsen symptoms, and increase the risk of asthma flareups,” Hewlett warns.
Are allergies increasing?
It feels like everyone has allergies these days. And it’ s not just your imagination.
“ Yes, allergy rates are increasing worldwide,” says Hewlett. This rise likely stems from environmental and lifestyle
changes that alter how our immune system handles allergens.
“ Longer pollen seasons and higher pollen levels are also contributing to more frequent and severe allergy symptoms in many people,” he adds.
Medicine has also advanced, meaning more people are being diagnosed than before.
Allergies or a lingering cold?
It’ s the question many parents face: is my child sick, or is it allergies?
“ Parents can often tell the difference by looking at the type and duration of symptoms,” explains Hewlett. Seasonal allergies cause persistent sneezing, a clear runny nose, and itchy eyes, but typically leave children fever-free and feeling well.
“ A cold, on the other hand, is more likely to cause a sore throat, fever, body aches, and thicker nasal mucus. It usually improves within seven to 10 days, while allergy symptoms can continue for much longer,” he adds.
Safe ways to manage allergies
While medication may sometimes be necessary for children, parents can also help manage allergies by reducing exposure to triggers. Hewlett offers these easy steps:
• Keeping windows closed on highpollen days
• Encouraging children to wash their hands and face after playing outside
• Showering before bedtime to remove pollen and dust
• Changing clothes after outdoor activities
• Regular cleaning and vacuuming to reduce allergens indoors
• Using allergen-proof bedding to minimise dust mites
• Identifying and avoiding specific allergens wherever possible
When to seek medical help …
“ People should seek medical advice if their allergy symptoms are severe, persistent, interfere with daily life, or are not improving with self-care measures,” explains Hewlett. A good rule of thumb: don’ t just tough it out, thinking it’ s only allergies. If symptoms affect sleep, work, school performance, or overall quality of life, it’ s time to see a doctor.
“ Anyone experiencing wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or worsening asthma symptoms should seek medical care promptly,” he adds.
Seeing a doctor early prevents worsening symptoms and improves long-term control by confirming your diagnosis, identifying triggers, and creating a targeted treatment plan. �
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