Is this your symptom?
- An allergic reaction of the nose, usually from pollen
- An itchy nose, clear discharge and sneezing is common
Triggers of Hay Fever (Nasal Allergies)
- Cause. An allergic reaction of the nose and sinuses to an inhaled substance. The medical name for this is allergic rhinitis. The allergic substance is called an allergen.
- Most allergens float in the air. That's how they get in the nose. Here are the common ones:
- Pollens. Trees, grass, weeds and molds are the most common pollens. Tree pollens come in the spring. Grass pollens come in the summer. Weed pollens come in the fall. Pollens cause seasonal allergies. You can't avoid pollens because they are in the air. Most nasal allergies continue through the pollen season. They can last 4 to 8 weeks. Pollens cause seasonal nose allergies. This is also called hay fever.
- Pets. Allergens can also be from cats, dogs, horses, rabbits and other animals. Most people don't keep a pet that they are allergic to. They only have allergy symptoms when they are exposed to that specific animal. These symptoms will usually last a few hours. If someone with a cat visits you, they will bring cat dander with them. This will cause brief symptoms. If you own the pet, though, you will have symptoms all the time.
- House Dust contains many allergens and also dust mites. If your humidity is high, it will contain mold. House dust causes year round, daily symptoms.
Symptoms of Hay Fever
- Clear nasal discharge with sneezing, sniffing, and itching of nose (100%)
- Eye allergies (itchy, red, watery and puffy) also can occur (70%)
- Ear and sinus congestion or fullness can occur
- Throat can feel scratchy or have a tickly feeling at times
- Itchy ear canals, itchy skin or hoarse voice sometimes also occur
- Symptoms happen during pollen season
- Same symptoms during the same month of the last year
- Past diagnosis by a doctor is helpful
- No fever
How to Tell Seasonal Nasal Allergies from the Common Cold
- Symptoms happen during pollen season
- Had the same symptoms during the same month last year
- Hay fever symptoms last 6-8 weeks for each pollen. Colds last 1-3 weeks.
- Allergies: itchy eyes and nose. Not seen with colds.
- Colds: fever and/or sore throat. Not seen with allergies
- Both: runny nose and watery eyes. Can also have a cough with both, but less common with allergies.
When to Call for Hay Fever (Nose Allergy)
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
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Self Care at Home
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Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Lots of coughing
- Sinus pain (around the cheekbones or eyes) does not go away with allergy meds
- You think you need to be seen
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- Hay fever symptoms make it hard to work or do normal activities. Note: taking allergy medicine for 2 days has not helped.
- Diagnosis of hay fever has never been made by a doctor
- Year-round symptom of nasal allergies
- Snoring happens often
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home
- Mild nasal allergy symptoms or hay fever that can be managed with over-the-counter allergy meds
Care Advice for Stomach Pain
What You Should Know About Stomach Pain:
- Mild stomach pain can be caused by something simple. It could be from gas pains or eating too much.
- Sometimes, stomach pain signals the start of a viral infection. This will lead to vomiting or loose stools.
- Watching your child for 2 hours will help tell you the cause.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Lie Down:
- Have your child lie down and rest until feeling better.
Clear Fluids:
- Offer clear fluids only (such as water, flat soft drinks or half-strength Gatorade).
- For mild pain, offer a regular diet.
Prepare for Vomiting:
- Keep a vomiting pan handy.
- Younger children often talk about stomach pain when they have nausea. Nausea is the sick stomach feeling that comes before they throw up.
Pass a Stool:
- Have your child sit on the toilet and try to pass a stool.
- This may help if the pain is from constipation or diarrhea.
- Note: for constipation, moving a warm wet cotton ball on the anus may help.
Do Not Give Medicines:
- Any drug (like ibuprofen) could upset the stomach and make the pain worse.
- Do not give any pain medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
- For fever higher than 102° F (39° C), acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be given.
What to Expect:
- With harmless causes, the pain is most often better or gone in 2 hours.
- With stomach flu, belly cramps may happen before each bout of vomiting or diarrhea. These cramps may come and go for a few days.
- With serious causes (such as appendicitis), the pain worsens and becomes constant.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Constant pain lasts more than 2 hours
- Mild pain that comes and goes lasts more than 24 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Extra Help - Worried Stomach:
- Help your child talk about events that trigger the stomach pain. Talk to your child about how to cope with these the next time around.
- Help your child worry less about things she can't control.
- To treat the pain, help your child get very relaxed. Lying down in a quiet place and taking slow deep breaths may help. Make the belly go up and down with each breath. Then try to relax all the muscles in the body. Think about something pleasant. Listening to audios that teach how to relax might also help.
- Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
- Make sure that your child doesn't miss any school because of stomach pains. Stressed children tend to want to stay home when the going gets rough.
- Caution: your child should see her doctor for an exam. Do this before concluding frequent stomach pains are from worrying too much.
