Hay fever in babies, children and teenagers

What is hay fever?

Hay fever is a type of allergic reaction. It happens when pollens and dust mites in the air get into your nose and eyes, which can cause inflammation. It usually affects the nose, face, sinus passages, eyes and throat.

Hay fever is also called allergic rhinitis.

What causes hay fever in kids?

Seasonal hay fever happens when your child has an allergy to pollens. These are small particles released into the air by some grasses and trees. Your child breathes in these pollens, and they irritate the lining of their eyes, sinuses and nasal passages.

Perennial hay fever happens all year round and is caused by other triggers. These could be dust mites in the house, animal saliva or skin cells caught in fur or hair, and mould spores. If your child gets hay fever all year round, they’re probably allergic to one of these triggers.

Your child has a greater chance of having hay fever if you, your child’s other parent or your other children have an allergy.

Teenagers are more likely to get hay fever than younger children.

Hay fever is quite common. Around 15% of people in Australia get it.

What are hay fever symptoms in children?

Common symptoms of hay fever in kids include:

runny nose and sniffing
blocked nose
mouth breathing
sneezing
itchy eyes, nose, roof of the mouth and back of the throat
red, sore and watery eyes.

Hay fever usually isn’t serious. But if your child is very sensitive to pollens in the air, they can develop other symptoms like wheezing, hives and rashes, especially eczema.

Hay fever can also lead to poor-quality sleep, which can lead to tiredness and poor concentration during the daytime.

Should your child see a doctor about hay fever symptoms?

If you think your child has allergies, including hay fever, a proper assessment can help you find out what’s causing the hay fever. To start this process, you can talk to your GP.

Your GP might send your child to an allergy or immunology specialist for a skin-prick test or an IgE antibody test.

These tests might help the doctors decide on the best hay fever treatment for your child.

How to treat hay fever

There’s no cure for hay fever, so treatment aims to manage symptoms.

Non-medical treatments

Nasal saline rinses can bring relief by washing out allergens from the nostrils and sinuses. These rinses also thin or remove excessive mucus.

Cold compresses and lubricating eye drops that flush out the allergens can help with red and itchy eyes.

Hay fever medicines

Corticosteroid nose sprays are the best treatment for hay fever, especially for a blocked nose. Your child can use them safely throughout the pollen season for seasonal hay fever or throughout the year for perennial hay fever.

Antihistamines can help with itching, runny nose and sneezing, but they don’t usually work for a blocked nose. You can ask your pharmacist or GP whether antihistamine eye drops would be good for your child.

For more severe hay fever, the GP might prescribe a special antihistamine. Some antihistamines can cause drowsiness, so it’s best to use one that won’t make your child sleepy.

Your pharmacist or GP can advise you on the best medicines for your child.

Immunotherapy

For severe hay fever that won’t go away, your doctor might consider sending your child to a specialist for immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy is also known as desensitisation. It involves giving your child gradually bigger doses of an allergen for 3-6 months to desensitise them. This treatment aims to change the body’s immune system and switch off the allergy.

How to prevent hay fever

Prevention is a big part of hay fever treatment. Prevention means reducing your child’s exposure to their hay fever triggers. Here’s how.

Pollen

Monitor the pollen forecast for days likely to have high pollen counts – for example, windy days.
Stay inside on days with high pollen counts and windy days. Also stay inside after thunderstorms.
Keep windows and doors shut on days with high pollen counts and windy days.
Avoid activities that expose your child to pollens – for example, mowing grass.
Get your child to have a bath or shower after playing outside, especially if they feel itchy. They could also use nasal saline spray, blow their nose and wash their face.

Dust mites

Wash your child’s sheets and pillow cases every week in water 60°C or hotter. Wash blankets, doonas and dust mite covers every 2 months in hot water.
Cover your child’s bed with a dust mite cover, which will keep dust mites away from your child when they’re sleeping. Remove sheepskin and woollen underlays.
Remove all soft toys from the bed and bedroom. Or you can wash them weekly in a commercial product containing essential oils like eucalyptus or tea tree oil. You can also put toys in a freezer overnight.
Vacuum carpets weekly using a good vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. Or try not to have carpets in your home where possible.
Keep humidity levels low by using kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans. Keep windows open.
Remove clutter and keep your home as clean as possible.

Animal fur or hair

Don’t let your animal sleep on your child’s bed or in your child’s bedroom. Keep your animal outside if possible.
Discourage your child from touching the animal they react to.
If you visit other people with pets, get your child to have a shower and change their clothes as soon as you get home.

Mould

Put mattresses and pillows in the sun or indoors near an open window. You can vacuum mattresses first. This helps to air them out.
Replace mouldy carpets.
Treat mould on the wall, ceiling or windows with bleach, and then air out your house.
Use a dehumidifier in dark and damp spaces – for example, cupboards.
If possible, investigate and fix the source of the mould or damp.
If eyes are itchy and red, avoid rubbing them.

Frequently asked questions about hay fever in babies, kids and teens

Can babies get hay fever?

Hay fever isn’t common in children under 2 years of age. That’s because children develop hay fever after repeated exposure.

What’s the best hay fever relief for kids?

The best hay fever relief depends on the symptoms and severity of the allergy. It’s best to try the ideas for treatment and prevention above before talking to your GP if your child is still having symptoms.

Can babies have antihistamines?

Babies shouldn’t have antihistamines. If you think your baby has hay fever or another type of allergic reaction and you’re worried about their symptoms, see your GP.

Can kids take hay fever tablets?

Kids can take hay fever tablets on the advice of a GP. If your child is taking hay fever tablets, make sure the dose is correct for their age and weight.

Is hay fever contagious?

No. Babies and children can’t catch hay fever from other people.

How long does hay fever last?

Children with hay fever will experience symptoms for as long as they’re exposed to the thing that causes the allergy. For example, if your child is allergic to pollens, they might experience hay fever between September and March. If they’re allergic to dust mites and pets, they might have hay fever symptoms all year in some places.