When your teen is allergic to a substance, such as pollen, it causes the immune system to overreact, leading to a variety of symptoms, including:
- Nasal congestion
- Sneezing or coughing
- Watery, itchy eyes
In extreme cases, allergies can cause people to have trouble breathing, which should be treated immediately.
Weeds can trigger allergic reactions from August to October. While pollen is typically only present in the warmer months, the cooler months can cause trouble for teens, too. Cold weather brings drier air with it, which can lead to asthma attacks or hives for teens with eczema.
Stop Symptoms Before They Start
While there is currently no cure for allergies, you can work with your teen to keep his or her symptoms to a minimum.
- Know your teen’s triggers. Are your teen’s allergies worse after being outside or inside? When the weather is hot or cold? Detecting a pattern can help you react before the symptoms become serious or cause your teen to get sick.
- Have a treatment option on hand. Your teen’s pediatrician may suggest using an over-the-counter antihistamine to reduce symptoms. If your teen deals with asthma, make sure he or she has an inhaler. Taking a pill or using an inhaler before an allergic reaction starts is much easier than treating symptoms after an attack. Remind your teen to wash up after being outside in triggering conditions to remove any allergens.
- When in doubt, consult your pediatrician. Can’t pinpoint what’s making your teen miserable? If your teen is still experiencing flare ups after these steps, talk to his or her pediatrician about seeing an allergy specialist who can provide immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots to help reduce your child’s reaction to allergens over time.
For more articles on allergies—seasonal or otherwise—type “allergies” into the search bar above.
This article was reviewed by Joanne Smith, M.D., pediatrician, St.Vincent Medical Group.
