Can my baby have hayfever? How can I treat it if they’re too young for prescribed medication?

Hay fever symptoms in babies are often missed, as they are similar to those of a common cold. However babies, like adults, can suffer from hay fever. If a parent has a pollen allergy, there is a slightly higher chance that your baby may also be allergic  

If you suspect your little one may have hayfever, you might like to keep a diary for a couple of weeks to note down patterns - weather, location, symptoms. This can all help a doctor correctly identify a pollen allergy versus a cold or another illness such as asthma. 

Hay fever symptoms may include:

• Rubbing their eyes because they’re itchy
• Having red, watery eyes
• A runny nose – with clear, watery mucus
• Sneezing, particularly if they’re outdoors
• Coughing
• Wheezing

The hayfever season may last from April to September for some little ones. Tree pollen tends to be at its worst in Spring, whilst grass pollen tends to peak during the warmer Summer months. Again, keeping a diary of symptoms can help identify which pollen may be the cause. 

NOTE: It is important to seek medical advice to get an accurate diagnosis.

Most doctors won’t prescribe antihistamines to treat hay fever in babies under 1 year old, however there are several gentle, natural remedies you may like to try:

• Use sunglasses outside to block pollen entering the eyes
• Use a balm, such as HayMax Pure - HayMax around their nostrils to catch pollen
• Gently clean their face and wipe their nose with Mama Bamboo wipes regularly when you are outside in summer months  
• Consider an all natural histamine blocker like HelloDay 
• Gently spray NoseFrida seawater into your baby’s nose to clean out allergens and relieve stuffiness. 

There are also several things you can do to reduce their exposure to pollen: 

• Change their clothes if they’ve been outside, to rid them of pollen
• Dry baby's sheet and bedding indoors on high pollen days
• Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
• Hoover their bedroom and play areas regularly and wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth
• Wash their face with cool water when you get home from outings in parks or gardens