During the spring months, babies and children may experience respiratory issues. If your baby or child is showing symptoms such as a cold, runny nose, sneezing, or a dry cough, and you initially thought it might be a seasonal flu or cold, you should monitor the situation closely. Persistent cold symptoms may be a sign of allergic rhinitis or spring allergies.
Spring allergies in children typically appear after the age of 2. If a baby is predisposed to this allergy, it usually becomes noticeable after two spring seasons. Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever or spring cold, shares symptoms with seasonal illnesses.
Allergic rhinitis affects the upper respiratory tract and can cause symptoms such as headaches, inflamed nasal discharge, cough, and sneezing. In more severe cases, breathing difficulties may also be observed.
The cause of allergic rhinitis is primarily the pollen that appears in spring. Pollen, which we often breathe in during the blooming of flowers in the spring months, can have debilitating effects on children who are prone to allergies. Therefore, it's important to closely observe your child, especially in the early stages of spring, and consult a doctor if symptoms arise.
While there is no definitive cure for allergic rhinitis, it is possible to reduce the factors that affect quality of life with medication. This can help relieve your child, who may feel sick and affected in their social life due to the allergy symptoms. However, the effects of medication may wear off in the long term.
If medication proves insufficient, your doctor may suggest an allergy shot plan for your child. Allergy shots are typically administered every 2-3 weeks, so it’s useful to plan your holidays and travel according to this schedule. Skipping these shots can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment for allergic rhinitis.
To minimize the effects of allergic rhinitis, you can take the following precautions: