Services
- A to Z Listing
- Clinical Services
- Acute Care
- Adolescent Medicine
- Aerodigestive Collaborative
- Allergy and Immunology
- Anesthesiology
- Audiology
- Burn Care
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Center for Craniofacial Care/Plastic Surgery
- Cerebral Palsy Clinic
- Chest Wall Program
- Child Protection Team
- Children's Hospital Foundation Heart Center
- Children's Trauma Center
- Concussion Clinic/Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Critical Care Medicine
- Dentistry
- Dermatology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Ear, Nose & Throat (Otolaryngology)
- Emergency Medicine
- Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis Clinic
- Epilepsy Monitoring Unit
- Family-Centered Care
- Feeding Program
- Children's Stories
- Feeding and Nutrition Articles
- Achieve a Healthy Diet Without Meat
- Add Color to Your Child's Diet
- Addressing Pitfalls with a Learning-to-Eat Infant
- Calcium: Your Bones Will Thank You
- Feeding - Tracheostomy & Ventilator-Dependent Patients
- Feeding Your Child in the 21st Century
- Guide for Introduction of Foods
- Healthy Eaters, Happy Mealtimes
- Kids and Vitamins
- Making Mealtime a Success
- Picky Eaters During the Holidays
- The Food Allergy Challege
- The Importance of Breakfast
- Transitioning from Breastfeeding to Solids
- Feeding Program Levels
- Glossary of Feeding Terms
- Lodging and Links
- Resources for Out-of-Town Families
- Fetal Cardiology
- Gastroenterology and Nutrition
- General Pediatrics
- Genetics
- Healthy Lifestyles Center
- Hematology and Oncology
- Hospital Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- International Adoption Medical Clinic
- Lactation Services
- Long-Term Care/Transitional Care Unit
- Mental and Behavioral Health
- Muscular Dystrophy Clinic
- Neonatal Continuing Care Program
- Neonatal Medicine
- Nephrology
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat)
- Palliative and Supportive Care
- Perioperative Care
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Plastic Surgery
- Poison Center
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- You Can Control Asthma Now
- What is asthma?
- Asthma treatment
- Avoiding asthma triggers
- Benefits of using a spacer
- Cold and flu trigger asthma attacks
- Dealing with roaches and mice
- HEPA filter air purifiers
- Pollen
- Smoking makes asthma worse
- Understanding asthma
- Asthma-friendly cleaning
- Furry and feathered friends
- Safe sleeping zone for children with asthma
- You Can Control Asthma Now
- Radiology
- Respiratory Therapy
- Rheumatology
- Spasticity Clinic
- Spina Bifida Clinic
- Sports
- Surgery (general)
- Transgender Care
- Transplant Surgery
- Trauma
- Urology
- Weight Management
- Therapy Services
- Support Services
Pollen
Is pollen triggering your child's asthma and allergies?
Many people are allergic to pollen. Pollen can be particularly troublesome when it comes from grasses, trees and weeds. This pollen is blown around by the wind landing in the eyes and nose, and can trigger asthma and allergies. Pollens from flowering plants tend to be less of a problem as they are transported by bees rather than by the wind.
Limiting exposure
While completely avoiding pollen is difficult, there are several things you can do to help reduce your exposure.
- Avoid going outdoors on days when the pollen count is high.
- The amount of pollen in the air rises during the morning, peaks around mid-day, then falls in the afternoon and evening. Plan outdoor activities for later in the day when possible.
- Use air conditioning rather than window fans during pollen season.
- Use re-circulated air in the car rather than open windows.
- Shower or thoroughly wash your face and hands after being outside to wash off sticky pollen.
- Do not line dry your clothes if possible during high pollen count days.
- Make sure you are taking your prescribed medications daily to manage allergies and asthma.
- If you are landscaping your yard, choose flowering plants as they produce less pollen.
Thunderstorm asthma
'Thunderstorm asthma' is a combination of weather conditions and pollen that can trigger severe asthma symptoms.
When rain droplets and airborne pollen collide, the pollen grains are broken into tiny particles. These smaller particles can get further and deeper inside the lungs, triggering a strong asthma response.
Allergies and asthma
Many people with asthma also have allergies, either at certain times of the year or all year round. An itchy, runny or stuffy nose due to allergies can make your child's asthma harder to control. If this is happening to your child, talk to your doctor.