As a parent, you are always looking to help your child through whatever problems they may be faced with. If your child is sick, you are going to do everything you can to help them feel better. Sometimes, parents misdiagnose their kids with a lingering cold, that may actually be a result of seasonal or perennial allergies, or allergies to pets. So, while you may be focusing on the physical symptoms, like coughing and sneezing, there may be other signs to watch out for to determine the real cause of their discomfort. Look for these five allergy side effects that can affect your child and their behavior in a negative way.
Imagine if you couldn’t say what was making you feel uncomfortable or irritated? This is what happens to children when they are experiencing allergies. When a child has allergies, their brain isn’t able to link the discomfort they are feeling to their allergies. By not being capable of making the connection, it makes it even harder for them to control their mood, making moodiness one of the most common allergy side effects in children.
If you notice that your child is more moody than normal, it could be a result of their allergies. Try getting them to talk about how they feel or what is bothering them. Then, you will know what you can do to help them find relief and improve their overall mood.
Another allergy side effect to look for is their inability to concentrate. While oftentimes it is already hard for kids to concentrate, allergy symptoms make it even worse because they are so disruptive. Having to stop what they’re doing to blow their nose or wash their hands after sneezing may cause children difficulties when trying to focus on the task at hand. In order to cut back on distractions, give your child a pack of tissues to keep with them at their desk and a mini hand sanitizer for quick hand cleaning. Trust us, their teacher will thank you!
Not only do allergies cause interruptions, but they may directly impact their physical ability to pay attention. If your child experiences nasal congestion, it may cause them to have a hard time hearing. If they aren’t aware of what is going on around them, they won’t be able to concentrate, allowing their mind to wander.
If you child is having trouble sleeping, it may be as a result of allergies. Since allergy symptoms target the nasal passages, it may be hard for your child to breathe, keeping them up throughout the night. This can have negative effects on them during the day. Your child may then feel drowsy during activities, have trouble concentrating, and even fall asleep in class.
If your child is having trouble sleeping as a result of allergies, there are a few things you can try to improve their situation. One way to treat congestion at home is to use a humidifier in their room while they sleep. This added moisture keeps their nose from becoming stuffy. Also, a natural remedy for relief is diffusing essential oils. Oils such as lavender or peppermint can reduce inflammation of the blood vessels in their nose, allowing the nasal passages to open up. Certain allergy medications may also cause your child to doze off, helping them sleep throughout the night.
When a person suffers from allergies, their immune system is constantly working to defend their body from the harmful substances around them. If your child has allergies, they may often complain about feeling tired. Observe their behavior. They may act sluggish around the house or have little desire to go out and play. In some cases, the allergy medicine itself can cause them to feel tired. Not to mention the added fatigue from a poor night's sleep.
Keep an eye out for these allergy side effects to discuss with your pediatrician, or allergist, to see if you should make changes to their treatment plan.
The allergy side effects listed above can contribute to increased behavior problems in your child. Because they feel tired and moody, they may have frequent outbursts and temper tantrums. Or, if they are having trouble concentrating, they may not be able to follow directions as well. This can make it appear as if they have behavior problems in general. Be patient with your child, and ask them questions to figure out if there is an underlying issue causing the sudden change in their behavior.
Allergy medication comes in all shapes and sizes. Most of the allergy treatments available provide relief from allergy symptoms and make managing the severity of the symptoms easier. There are natural remedies that can be used with the medications for additional relief. While effective at controlling symptoms, they don’t solve the real problem, which is an overly sensitive immune system.
This is where immunotherapy can help! This treatment option desensitizes the body to triggering allergens, providing long-term relief. The most common form of immunotherapy for allergies are generally shots and drops. Both are uncomfortable for children because of the fear shots understandably provoke and the icky taste of the drops.
Fortunately, there is a new form of immunotherapy available: Transdermal Allergy Cream. Because the cream is applied on the skin and absorbed into the lymphatic system, it is the most natural way to expose the body to allergens. It's also quick and painless, making it an ideal solution for kids. At ShotFree Allergy, we put you in contact with online allergists and specialty pharmacies that can help you determine if it’s a possible treatment option for your child. Click here to schedule an appointment.
Once you have your child on an allergy treatment plan, we can help you create a routine that works for your family. Download our guide on How To Incorporate Your Child’s Allergy Medication Into Their Daily Routine. It is filled with helpful tips and tricks that make it easy to get your child used to treatment. It even includes a helpful chore chart that can make it easier to stay organized.