Many parents may be unaware of just how much their child’s hay fever is impacting on their sleep, which goes on to affect their study or school the next day. So how do you get them out of this cycle of poor sleep and feeling worse the next day, on top of the debilitating hay fever symptoms? A simple prevention strategy and night time routine could be the answer to your dreams…
In The Impact of Hay Fever – a survey by Allergy UK , ‘a huge number (87%) reported that their allergic rhinitis affected their sleep (or their child’s sleep). This is very significant, as it can impact on how the person functions the next day at school or at work.’
Common hay fever symptoms can lead to tiredness, fatigue and exhaustion in many children. The condition can also affect how we sleep, cause sleep disturbance and make it difficult to get to sleep. These symptoms can in turn zap their energy levels leaving them feeling low and sluggish.
However preventing pollen getting into their bedroom and into their body, together with a simple night time routine could lessen their symptoms and help improve their sleep.
A good start is to keep bedroom windows and door closed to prevent pollen blowing into the room. If this makes the room too hot, consider using an air filter/purifier with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Arresting) filter to capture the pollen and dust particles, and cool and circulate the air. Vacuum the bedroom regularly, including the bed, curtains and other fabrics to remove pollen particles. Damp dust surfaces; damp dusting removes pollen particles without dispersing them into the air where they can be breathed in. And keep blankets and cuddly toys in a cupboard to prevent the build-up of allergens on them.
Dry your child’s bed clothes indoors rather than on a clothes line to prevent pollen particles being blown onto the clothes by the outside wind (this also applies to their other clothes). If you own a pet then ensure that you keep it out of the bedroom. Keeping it well groomed and shampooed will remove pet allergens and pollen particles from its coat.
Pollen grains come indoors and stick to bedding. So frequent washing, covering the bed with a sheet which is carefully folded and stored away from the bed during the night, before your child gets into bed, and turning pillows just before they get in, can help.
Ensure your child takes a shower or bath before sleeping to remove pollen particles from their hair and body. This will also make them feel more relaxed, which will help them to sleep.
Apply a small amount of drug-free organic allergen barrier balm HayMax or HayMax Kids around the nostrils and bones of the eyes. HayMax has been proven to trap over a third of pollen before it enters the body. Less allergen, less reaction.
As HayMax is drug-free it is suitable for children and pregnant and breast-feeding women. There are no drowsy side-effects, so will not adversely affect performance at school.
HayMax organic drug-free allergen barrier balms have an rrp of £6.99 per pot and are available from independent chemists, pharmacists and health stores, Holland & Barrett, Booths, Ocado, selected Superdrug, Morrisons and Boots, on 01525 406600 and from www.haymax.biz
