First Aid

Hay Fever

What is hay fever?

Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is a common allergic reaction in the nose that can also affect the eyes, throat, ears, and sinuses. It is a reaction to substances like pollens or dust mites. Depending on the cause, hay fever symptoms can last from a few hours to days or weeks.

What causes hay fever?

Hay fever happens when an affected person comes in contact with an environmental trigger known as an ‘allergen’ – usually pollen. When their eyes or nose touch this trigger, their body thinks it is dangerous, and their immune system tries to fight it off, causing a reaction.

There are two main types of hay fever:

Seasonal hay fever, also known as seasonal allergies, usually starts in spring or summer. It affects people allergic or sensitive to pollen from plants, grasses, and trees.
Perennial hay fever can develop whenever an affected person contacts an allergen, they are sensitive to, such as dust mites, mould spores, animal fur or dander (tiny skin flakes).

Many children with hay fever also have other allergic conditions like asthma, eczema, or food allergies. The genetic tendency to develop these diseases is called ‘atopy.’

Signs and symptoms of hay fever in children

Signs and symptoms of hay fever in children include:

runny or blocked nose (one or both nostrils)
red, itchy, swollen or watery eyes
itchy ears, nose, throat and roof of the mouth
sneezing

In some cases, hay fever can also:

cause headaches
make it harder for your child to sleep
worsen asthma symptoms
impact your child’s ability to concentrate and learn
lead to bad breath, a husky voice, or a sore throat
cause eye infections due to rubbing itchy eyes.

How to prevent hay fever in children

The best way to prevent your child from getting hay fever is to help them avoid the substance causing their reaction. The less contact they have with their triggers, the less likely they will have a hay fever reaction.

If your child has seasonal hay fever from pollen:

check the pollen levels during spring and summer so you know what to expect
try to keep them inside with doors and windows shut on high-pollen days
dry clothes inside
reduce their contact with triggers like freshly mowed grass
avoid letting them play outdoors during and after thunderstorms
bathe or shower them after outdoor play – particularly if they feel itchy.

Treatment for hay fever

There is no cure for hay fever, but there are proven ways to manage the condition and reduce its effects.

If your child has hay fever that impacts their quality of life, you may wish to speak with a doctor or pharmacist. They can give you advice based on your child’s symptoms.

There are three main types of hay fever medicine recommended for children:

Non-drowsy antihistamines help with itching, runny nose and sneezing.
Steroid nasal spray reduces swelling and sensitivity in the nose.
Combination antihistamine and steroid nasal spray helps with both nasal symptoms of hay fever and swelling in the nose.

The best treatment for your child will depend on their age and symptoms. Speak with a pharmacist or doctor before starting treatment.

Staying informed about pollen counts and forecasts

Visit the Melbourne Pollen Count and Forecast website, or download the app for information about the pollen monitoring in Victoria.

Find this fact sheet and further information at: https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/hay_fever/