Hay fever, otherwise known as allergic rhinitis, is an allergy that affects the nose and/or eyes when they are exposed to environmental allergens. Symptoms include sneezing, itchy and watery nose and/or eyes, and a blocked nose. Hay fever is very common in Australia, affecting almost 1 in 5 people.
The most common environmental allergen in children in Australia is house dust mite. Allergy to house dust mite causes symptoms all year round. Other common allergens include grass, tree and weed pollen, which may cause seasonal symptoms. Some people have allergies to cats and dogs, as well as other animals, plants, insects, or moulds.
If your child has symptoms of hay fever, testing can be performed to determine what they are allergic to. This testing may be done as skin prick testing or a blood test. Identifying the allergen can help with treatment of symptoms.
For some environmental allergens, targeted treatment is available in the form of allergen immunotherapy. Allergen immunotherapy involves frequent administration of small amounts of allergen to try and reduce the severity of allergy symptoms, often over the course of a number of years. Many types of allergen immunotherapy are available, and your allergist can discuss which option may be the best for your child.