Get Your Child Exam-Ready Despite Hay Fever: Tips and Tricks!

As exam season rolls around, so does the dreaded hay fever, casting a shadow on many students’ performance. But fear not! We’ve got the scoop on how to help your child ace those tests even with the sniffles and sneezes.

Hay fever hits adolescents hard, with a whopping 63% of students reporting symptoms during exam season. What’s worse, research shows that hay fever can lead to a drop in grades, especially for those popping old-school antihistamines.

The good news is that there are ways to combat the hay fever woes and set your child up for success.

Prep Your Child’s Exam Environment:

• Communication is key! Talk to your child’s school about creating an optimal exam environment.
• Request an east-facing room with windows and doors closed to limit pollen exposure.
• If available, opt for air-conditioned exam areas with pollen-filtering systems.
• Advocate for allowing water during exams to keep your child hydrated, a crucial aspect of managing hay fever symptoms.
• Inform the school about the extent of hay fever prevalence among students to raise awareness and potentially implement further supportive measures.

Many schools will have limited choice of venues for exams, so some of these may not be possible to achieve, but it’s worth trying as even a few changes can make a big difference.

On Exam Day:

• Ensure your child wears clean, pollen-free clothing to minimize allergen exposure.
• Dry clothes indoors to prevent pollen sticking, and equip your child with wraparound sunglasses for outdoor travel.
• Tie back hair and use head coverings to minimize pollen contact en route to exams.
• Apply a non-drowsy allergen barrier balm before leaving home and during breaks to limit pollen exposure. It’s worth trying to wash out the lower nostrils before applying and reapplying if possible to clear any residual pollen from the nasal area.
• Encourage regular hydration before and during exams to alleviate symptoms and maintain focus.
• Take an oral anti-histamine – try out different ones so you are happy that you have one that suits your child.

Daily Strategies to Combat Hay Fever:

• Keep windows and doors closed at home to prevent pollen from drifting indoors.
• Promptly wash your child’s face upon returning indoors on high pollen days to remove allergens.
• Regularly wash bedding to eliminate pollen buildup.
• Maintain a clean living environment by vacuuming and dusting regularly, paying attention to beds and fabrics.
• Encourage evening baths or showers to remove pollen particles from hair and body before bedtime.
• Consider getting an air filtering system for the home and your child’s room in particular – that way they can spend the night pollen free and get off to a good start in the morning.
• Promote a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables to support the immune system.
• Ensure your child engages in regular exercise while avoiding peak pollen hours for outdoor activities.

Sadly there is currently no cure for hay fever, but there are many treatments and remedies available for children and simple lifestyle changes and practical steps you can take to help reduce the effects. With a little bit of preparation, you can help your child conquer hay fever and crush those exams like a boss!