Symptoms

• Children will develop hay fever symptoms immediately after being exposed to specific allergens. According to the Mayo Clinic, hay-fever symptoms include sneezing; nasal congestion; runny nose; sinus pressure; itchy and/or watery eyes; itchy throat; "allergic shiners," blue-tinted skin below the eyes; and a possible decrease in a sense of smell and/or taste. Hay-fever symptoms that have an impact on children's daily activities and life may include irritability, fatigue and sleeplessness. Symptoms of hay fever in children can begin or worsen during different seasons of the year and are triggered by weeds, grasses and tree pollen. Children who have indoor allergies may suffer year-long from hay-fever symptoms that are triggered by pet dander, dust mites, mold and cockroaches.
  
  

Risk Factors

• The Mayo Clinic also states that children can have specific risk factors that increase their likelihood of developing hay fever. These risk factors include: exposure to dust mites or cigarette smoke during the first year of life, being the first born child and/or being male, being born during pollen seasons or having a family history of allergy problems.
  
  

Complications

• Children who suffer from frequent hay fever may have further complications caused from continuous infections. Further complications may include sinusitis, sinus infections from prolonged sinus congestion due to hay fever. Children may also eczema, also known as dermatitis, which results in red or swollen itchy areas of the skin. Additional complications may include middle ear infections and/or asthma.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Your pediatrician will ask detailed questions about your child's medical history as well as any family history of allergies or hay fever. They will also perform a physical examination to investigate further clues as to the cause of hay-fever symptoms in your child. Severe hay-fever complications may require that your child undergo a skin-prick test or blood tests for allergies. If your child undergoes skin testing, small amounts of liquid allergen extracts will be pricked into the skin of their upper back or arm to observe for allergic reactions. Children who experience allergic reactions to the allergens will develop raised bumps at the test location on their skin. Allergy blood testing, also known as radioallergosorbent or RAST testing, measures your child's immune system's response to certain allergens by measuring the allergy-causing antibodies in your child's bloodstream. Their presence will help determine to which allergens your child experiences reactions.
  
  

Treatment

• Mild hay-fever symptoms in children may be treated with over-the-counter allergy and antihistamine pills and liquids, but consult your pediatrician and read all labels carefully before administering to your child. For severe hay fever, you pediatrician may recommend prescription medications such as antihistamines, decongestants and nasal drops. If medications do not successfully relieve hay fever symptoms, the Mayo Clinic states that immunotherapy desensitization therapy may be effective. Immunotherapy includes regular allergy shots to desensitize a child's immune system to allergens. Immunotherapy is especially effective for pollen, dust mites and cat dander allergies. According to the Mayo Clinic, immunotherapy may help prevent the development of asthma symptoms and problems in children.