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Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, common in infants and children, is passed on to children from their parents. In fact if one parent has allergies, a child has a one in four chance of having allergies also. If both parents have allergies, the chances increase to three out of four.

Seasonal allergies usually develop around the age of five. Asthma is an early sign of developing allergies and is usually diagnosed between age one and three.

Common symptoms of hay fever include a stuffy or runny nose with clear drainage, sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, sore throat, and a cough. Children with allergic rhinitis may also develop dark circles under the eyes caused by nasal congestion, known as “allergic shiners”.

Hay fever is caused by pollen and is one of the most widespread allergies. Some allergies can be avoided. For example, you can prevent an allergic reaction to some things, for example, by not eating food that you are allergic to, not taking medicine that you are allergic to, and staying away from animals that you are allergic to you. But pollen is in the air and there is no easy way to avoid it.

Besides moving to an area where the pollen count is not as high, the severity of seasonal allergies can be reduced by limiting exposure to pollen. For example, symptoms of pollen allergy may not be as serious if you keep windows closed in the car and at home, limit outdoor activities when pollen counts are highest (in the morning, for example), use a clothes dryer or hanging clothes inside instead of outside, take a bath daily, and dust and vacuum your house frequently. But it is not often possible or practical to stay indoors and that is why medication is the normal treatment for pollen allergy.

Decongestants shrink inflamed tissues in the nose. They open up air passages and reduce pressure in the sinuses, but they provide only useful temporary relief. Anti-inflammatory nasal sprays also reduce nasal inflammation and they work right in your nose.

If over-the-counter medications don’t work, your pediatrician may give your child prescription medication. Many of the newer medicines don’t cause drowsiness and are prescribed for daily use. They won’t work as well if just used as needed.

If your child’s symptoms don’t improve with prescribed medication, your pediatrician may suggest that you go to an allergy specialist, or that your child begin receiving allergy shots. Allergy shots are injections of substances that you are allergic to.

Whatever method your child uses to treat allergy symptoms, it is important to treat them early to avoid other more serious conditions, such as asthma, sinus and ear infections.