Overview

Managing your child's allergies is an important part of helping your child stay healthy. Your doctor will help you find out what may be the cause of the allergies. Common causes of symptoms are house dust and dust mites, animal dander, mould, and pollen.

As soon as you know what triggers your child's symptoms, try to help your child avoid those things. This can help prevent allergy symptoms, asthma, and other health problems.

Ask your doctor about allergy medicine or immunotherapy. These treatments may help reduce or prevent allergy symptoms.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Learn to tell when your child has severe trouble breathing. Signs may include the chest sinking in, using belly muscles to breathe, or nostrils flaring while struggling to breathe.
• If you think that dust or dust mites are causing your child's allergies, decrease the dust immediately around your child's bed:
  • Wash sheets, pillowcases and other bedding every week in hot water.
  • Use airtight, dust-proof covers for pillows, duvets, and mattresses.
  • Remove extra blankets and pillows that your child does not need.
• Use air-conditioning. Change or clean all filters every month. Keep windows closed.
• Change the air filter in your furnace every month.
• Do not use window or attic fans, which draw dust into the air.
• If your child is allergic to house dust and mites, do not use home humidifiers. They can help mites live longer.
• If your child has allergies to pet dander, keep pets outside or, at the very least, out of your child's bedroom. You may need to replace old carpet or cloth-covered furniture.
• Look for signs of cockroaches. Cockroaches cause allergic reactions in many children. Use cockroach baits to get rid of them. Then clean your home well. Seal off any spots where cockroaches might enter your home.
• If your child is allergic to mould, do not keep indoor plants, because moulds can grow in soil. Get rid of furniture, rugs, and drapes that smell musty. Check for mould in the bathroom.
• If your child is allergic to pollen, try to keep your child inside when pollen counts are high.
• Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter or a double-thickness filter at least once a week. Keep your child out of the room for several hours after you vacuum.
• Avoid other things that can make your child's allergies worse.
• Have your child and other family members get an influenza (flu) vaccine every year. Ask your doctor if your child is up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines.
• Talk to your child's doctor about whether to have your child tested for allergies.