Take care of your kids during spring

Spring comes by blooming flowers. Sadly enough, due to high pollen count, the season also brings allergies resulting in watery eyes, soar throat, runny nose, constant sneezing, headaches, and itching. Studies show children are more susceptible to conjunctivitis, hay fever, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. At least 27.5% of city children suffer from allergic rhinitis between the months of February and April. In India, the spread of allergies during spring has doubled over the last decade.
“Spring is the season of tree pollens. Pollen level in the atmosphere increases making way for diseases like asthma, cough and wheezing. Of late, thanks to global warming, the pollen allergenicity is much higher than what it was about 10 years to 15 years ago. This means pollens have higher protein content with the potential to cause more allergies,” said Dr H Paramesh, pulmonologist and medical director, Lake Side Hospital.
Added to this is the menace caused by polluted pollens and particulate matters in the atmosphere.
“The polluted pollens are about 50 times more potent than normal pollens and cause more harm,” said Dr Paramesh.
Spring is associated with pollination and pollen concentration in the air is very high. “Children with inherent tendencies to develop allergies are more susceptible to developing allergies like itching of nose, sneezing, cold, watery discharge from eyes etc. While some children have nasal allergies, others demonstrate broncheal symptoms like wheezing and coughing,” said Dr Karthik Nagesh, head of department of neonatology, Manipal Hospital and past president of Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Bangalore.
While children between one and five years are susceptible to developing nasal allergies, those as young as six months can also develop broncheal allergies, during this season, he added.
About 10% of Indian population are allergic and suffer during this season. “A recent APAC study revealed that 27.5% of children in Bangalore suffer from allergic rhinitis, while in Singapore, the figure was as high as 44%,” added Dr Paramesh.
What best can be done to safeguard children? According to experts, since the presence of pollen in the atmosphere during this season cannot be prevented, exposure to other allergens should be restricted. “Parents should ensure that the child is not exposed to dust, smoke, or strong smells of perfumes, which are some of the other common factors that trigger allergies. Direct exposure to flowering plants should also be restricted,” said Dr Nagesh.

Image Courtesy: blogspot.com

 

---