Children’s Outdoor Seasonal Allergies

Help your kid enjoy more of the great outdoors by learning how to help reduce their exposure to common seasonal allergy triggers.

This content is provided by Smart Allergy Mom® Toolkit. Visit the site to find more family-friendly tips for managing your kid’s allergies.

Overview

Because they come and go with the seasons, outdoor allergies are often called seasonal allergies. They’re caused by an overreaction of your child’s immune system to certain proteins found outside from sources like mold spores and tree, grass or weed pollens. Depending on where you live and the current weather conditions, seasonal allergies can start as early as February and last until the first frost. ¹

While seasonal allergens can be difficult to avoid because it seems like they’re everywhere, there are things you can do to help minimize your kid’s exposure and manage their symptoms so they can have more fun.

Select an allergy to learn more:

POLLEN ALLERGIES

MOLD ALLERGIES

CHILDREN’S ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

Runny Nose
Itchy, Watery Eyes
Sneezing
Itchy Nose or Throat

Allergy testing by an allergist can confirm what allergens may be causing your kid’s symptoms.

Pollen Allergies

Pollen from weeds, trees and grass is a common trigger for seasonal allergies. Pollen spores are small, light and dry, so the wind can carry them long distances. Pollen counts vary, depending on several factors, including the weather, time of day and where you live.

Get Your Local Pollen Forecast

DID YOU KNOW?

Ragweed, a major source of pollen allergies, has been discovered as far as 400 miles out to sea and up to two miles in the atmosphere. ¹

Tips for Kids with Pollen Allergies

PLAN PLAY TIME

Try to plan your kid’s outdoor activities when pollen counts are low. And try to keep your child inside on dry, hot and windy days when pollen counts are high as wind can blow pollen further. ²

KEEP POLLEN OUTSIDE

Pollen spores can hitch a ride on your little one’s shoes, clothing and hair and get tracked inside. After spending time outdoors, have your kid take off their shoes, change their clothes and take a quick bath to remove pollen.

CLEAR THE AIR

When driving, keep windows up and set the air conditioner on "recirculate." At home, keep windows closed, use air conditioning and be sure to change your filters often.

TAKE COUNT

Pollen levels change often. And when they do, so can your child’s symptoms. Check the pollen count in your area with our pollen forecast tool.

GROW SMART

Plant an allergy-friendly yard for your kids to play in. Some common types of grass produce more pollen spores, including Timothy, Johnson, Bermuda, blue, orchard and sweet vernal grasses. Instead, try planting the female version of buffalo grass as it produces little to no pollen. If you’re planting trees, stick with species, such as Catalpa, Crepe myrtle, dogwood, fir or redwood trees. Avoid planting sunflowers, daisies and chrysanthemums in your yard as they’re all related to ragweed. If you’re not sure what to plant, ask your local garden center before you buy. ³

BE PREPARED

Be sure to keep allergy medicine for kids on hand for when seasonal allergy symptoms strike. Children’s Claritin ^® Chewables are for children ages 2 years and older and are easy-to-take tablets and Claritin ^® RediTabs ^® for Juniors are for children ages 6 years and older and dissolve in your kid’s mouth without water for convenient children’s allergy relief on the go.

Mold Allergies

Overview

Microscopic mold spores float in the air like pollen, causing seasonal allergy symptoms. Outdoors, molds thrive in shady, damp areas, including soil, plants, rotting wood, compost piles or dead leaves.

Since mold thrives in damp spaces, your child’s mold allergy symptoms may be more common during the summer months when it’s hot and humid. Although, they may be prevalent year-round in warmer climates. While pollen spores die with the first frost, mold spores simply go dormant during the winter. And when spring comes, the spores grow back. ⁴

DID YOU KNOW?

While some molds form colonies that you can see with the unaided eye, others can only be viewed under a microscope. So, just because you can’t see the mold, doesn’t mean it’s not there! ⁴

Tips for Kids with Mold Allergies

LEAVE IT OUTSIDE

Shoes, clothing and hair can all be magnets for mold spores. To help prevent tracking mold in, have everyone remove their shoes before entering your home and make sure your kid changes his or her clothes right away after spending time outside. It’s also a good idea to have your child bathe after playing outdoors. If you’re pinched for time, at least have them wash their hands and face well after coming in. ⁵

MAKE A MOLD MOVE

To help reduce the number of mold spores from the yard that can enter your home, keep leaves, grass and yard clippings away from the house. You can also try to cut back any trees and/or brush that are close to the house. ⁵