As the temperatures rise in the Valley, the air quality is going down bringing sneezing and sickness to the area’s children. Pediatrician Dr. Sheena Banerjee of AllKids Urgent Care visited AZ Family on Channel 3 with tips on what you can do at home, and when you should call your doctor.
There is a type of virus, called introverts, that comes into the community during the springtime bringing sickness, and of course, with flowers being in full bloom, their pollen is causing an uptick of seasonal allergies. You might be wondering if your child has allergies or an infection, and the best way to determine that is checking for fever. Fever is always the difference and will only be present if sick with an infection.
Allergies occur because your immune system reacts to something within the environment, so you start producing more mucous, which can then trap bacteria making you sick. Children, especially children with asthma already, will respond to infections with exacerbated asthma symptoms.
Ways You Can Reduce Allergies
Make sure A/C filters are clean
Stay inside when grass is being mowed
Shower after playing outside
Remember that pets carry pollen and dander
For mild cases of seasonal allergies, using OTC medications is fine, but if your child’s symptoms last longer than two weeks, or they develop a fever, make sure you see your doctor or Urgent Care center right away. To help spreading the infections, teach your children personal hygiene habits like hand washing, covering their sneezes with their elbow, and using tissues one time only.
Mesa Pediatric Urgent Care and Gilbert Pediatric Urgent Care
AllKids Urgent Care believes that all kids deserve the best. Both our Mesa Pediatric Urgent Care and our Gilbert Pediatric Urgent Care are open from noon to 10 pm daily, including holidays, so we are available when kids (and parents) need us most. For more information on our pediatric urgent care clinics, click here for more information.