Summer heat waves can cause serious symptoms for kids with allergies and asthma. Luckily, with some planning and symptom monitoring, SSM Health pediatrician Dr. Dan Beardmore says parents can keep breathing concerns in check.
“We think about allergies being one of your classic asthma triggers, but extreme heat can also be a trigger as well,” notes Dr. Beardmore. “Allergies can affect any one of us if counts get high enough. This year we’ve had some pretty impressive pollen count values and that can be problematic.”
Symptoms of allergies and asthma
Dr. Beardmore says typical allergy symptoms include:
- sneezing
- itchy, watery eyes
- congestion
- stuffy nose
“Your kid may complain to you, or you might have to observe your child for asthma symptoms while they’re playing,” says Dr. Beardmore.
Things to look for include:
- loss of breath
- harsh, tight coughs
- wheezing
- fatigue
Getting treatment for allergies and asthma
If you know temperatures, humidity or pollen counts are high, Dr. Beardmore suggests limiting time outside and making hydration, regular breaks and playing in the shade a priority.
When you start to see symptoms, try over-the-counter allergy meds. If symptoms don’t improve, consider going to your medical provider.
“Zyrtec and Claritin are available over the counter in generic forms with appropriate dosing for kids, but when there’s breathing distress or persistent coughs, those are the things you want to call your primary care doctor about or head to urgent care. If it’s a long urgent care wait or the middle of the night, emergency room care is a good idea,” he says.
If your child has an asthma diagnosis, Dr. Beardmore says it’s important to bring along their inhaler everywhere they go so you’re prepared to treat breathing issues at any time.
Watch Dr. Beardmore’s interview about summer allergy and asthma issues on Madison, Wisconsin’s ABC television affiliate.
