Fun fall activities can exacerbate allergies among children

When your son or daughter plays in a leaf pile, he or she may be exposed to harsh allergens.

For the roughly 10 percent of U.S. children under the age of 17 who suffer from hay fever, fall can bring on a whole slew of uncomfortable symptoms, including coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny nose. While the best way to quell these negative reactions is to avoid allergens altogether, the fact is that this is easier said than done. 

After all, with autumn comes hay​ rides, trips to the pumpkin patch and playing around in leaf piles in the backyard. Although it's difficult to prevent your son or daughter from engaging in these fun activities, it's important to be aware of the fact that they could seriously aggravate allergy symptoms. 

As CBS Detroit notes, "pumpkins, hay bales and cornstalks are a great way to get into the fall spirit — but not for people with certain allergies." The same goes for leaf piles, as the damp, moist leaves can cause mold and mildew to develop quickly.

In order to make sure your children are prepared when they inevitably come into contact with common fall allergens, it's imperative to see an allergy specialist who can ensure that your son or daughter is taking the right preventative medications. Additionally, you'll want to be sure that he or she showers and changes his or her clothes at the end of the day to get rid of any irritants that may have built up throughout the day. 

Another way you can keep allergy symptoms to a minimum is by investing in a residential air purifier for your home. Check out the Air Purifiers Direct 2U website today to learn more!