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</ iframe > </noscript> <!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) --><div id="header"> <div id="CClogo"><a href="https://www.cookchildrens.org"><span class="srText">Cook Children's</span></a></div> <div id="CCsearch"> <form id="searchform" name="searchform" method="GET" onsubmit="return (this.q.value == '') ? false : true;" action="/CookChildrens/en/parents/"> <input type="hidden" name="search" value="y"/> <input type="hidden" name="getfields" value="description"/> <input type="search" class="search" name="q" id="q" maxlength="256" autocomplete="off" autocorrect="off" placeholder="Search"/> <input type="hidden" name="datasource" value="cookchildrens"> <input type="hidden" name="start" value="0"> <input type="hidden" name="rows" value="10"> <input type="hidden" name="lang" value="english"> <input type="hidden" name="section" value="parents_teens_kids"> <input type="submit" value="" id="searchButton" class="buttonImage"/> </form> </div> </div> <!-- If we have main navigation separated then it will reside here --> <div id="thelou" tabindex="-1"> </div> <div id="mainContentContainer" class="kh-article-page"> <div id="rsSearchBrowse"> <div id="rsBrowse" role="navigation"> </div> <div id="rsSearch"> <div id="rsSectionLabel">parents</div> </div> </div> <div id="khContentHeading" class="ar licH"> <h1>Dealing With Triggers: Pollen</h1> </div> <div class="clearBox"> </div> <div id="khcontent"> <div id="xp1"> </div><br clear="all" style="width: 0; height: 0; line-height: 0; font-size: 0;"><div id="khcontent_article" lang="en-us"> <div id="NavigatePage1"> <div id="whichRead_1"><span class="ISI_MESSAGE"><!-- The following article is brought to you by CookChildrens. --></span><div class="rs_skip rs_skip_en rsbtn_kidshealth rs_preserve" id="readspeaker_button1"><script> var theRSURL = (escape(document.location.href)); var rsAudioTitle = document.title.replace(/ |\'|\?/g,"_"); var whichReadPage = 1; var doesItGotFlash = ''; makeTheRSLinkEN(); var readSpeakerDownloadLink = "//app-na.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/rsent?customerid=5202&lang=en_us&voice=Kate&speed=100&readid=khcontent_article&url="+theRSURL+"&audiofilename=KidsHealth_"+rsAudioTitle+""; </script></div> <!--googleoff:all--> <div id="languagePairLink" class="rs_skip"><a href="/CookChildrens/es/parents/triggers-pollen.html?WT.ac=pairedLink"><span class="pairedURLHead" lang="es">en español<img src="/images/n00/icons/langPairArrow.svg" alt=""></span><span class="pairedURLBody" lang="es">Cómo afrontar los desencadenantes: Polen</span></a></div> <!--googleon:all--><div class="rte-image"><!--<sly data-sly-test.buttonBorder="khb-noborder"></sly> --><p>A variety of things in the environment can make <a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/asthma-basics.html">asthma </a>or <a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/center/allergies-center.html">allergy</a> symptoms worse. These are called "<a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/asthma-triggers.html">triggers</a>." Your doctor can help you <a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/skin-test.html">figure out</a> what your child's triggers are.</p><p>Pollen is a common trigger for many kids.</p><h3>What Is Pollen?</h3><p>Pollen is a fine powder that some plants make when they reproduce. During the spring, summer, and fall seasons, pollen is released into the air and picked up by the wind, which brings it to other plants to fertilize them.</p><p>Inside of these pollen grains are proteins that cause <a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/seasonal-allergies.html">allergic reactions</a> (such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes) when breathed in. The pollen that most people are allergic to comes from grasses, trees, and weeds.</p><h3>How Can I Help My Child Deal With It?</h3><ul class="kh_longline_list"><li>Your weather forecast will give a daily pollen report. When pollen counts are high, kids should take their allergy medicine before going outdoors or avoid going outside. They should do outdoor activities later in the day, when pollen counts are lower. After playing outdoors, they should bathe or shower and change clothes.</li><li>Keep windows and doors shut during pollen season. If it’s hot, use air conditioning. An air purifier with a HEPA filter can also help.</li><li>Drive with the car windows shut and air conditioning on during pollen season.</li><li>Avoid letting your child mow the grass or rake leaves. If your child does work or chores outdoors, wearing an air filter mask can protect them from breathing in pollen.</li><li>Dry clothes in a dryer or hang inside the house, not on an outdoor clothesline.<br /></li></ul></div> <div id="reviewerBox"> <div id="reviewedBy">Reviewed by: Stephen F. Dinetz, MD</div> <div id="reviewedDate">Date reviewed: January 2022</div> </div><span class="ISI_MESSAGE"><!--Thank you for listening to this KidsHealth audio cast. The information you heard, is for educational purposes only. If you need medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment, consult your doctor. This audio cast is Copyrighted by KidsHealth. All rights are reserved.--></span></div> </div> </div> </div> <!--googleoff:all--> <div id="relatedBoxParents" class="t1 "> <div id="navTabs"> <ul id="navTabsPKT" role="tablist" aria-labelledby="moreOnThisTopicHeader"> <li role="presentation" class="wascurrent" id="PKTtabTeens"><button class="PKTJSTButton" role="tab" id="teens_tab" aria-controls="relatedArticlesListTeens" aria-selected="false" tabindex="-1"><span>for Teens</span></button></li> <li role="presentation" class="wascurrent" id="PKTtabKids"><button class="PKTJSTButton" role="tab" id="kids_tab" aria-controls="relatedArticlesListKids" aria-selected="false" tabindex="-1"><span>for Kids</span></button></li> <li role="presentation" class="current" id="PKTtabParents"><button class="PKTJSTButton" role="tab" id="parents_tab" aria-controls="relatedArticlesListParents" aria-selected="true" tabindex="0"><span>for Parents</span></button></li> </ul> </div> <div id="mainBar"> </div> <div id="mrLinks"> <h2 id="moreOnThisTopicHeader">MORE ON THIS TOPIC</h2> <ul id="relatedArticlesListParents" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="parents_tab"> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/allergy.html?WT.ac=p-ra">Kids and Allergies</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/weather-asthma.html?WT.ac=p-ra">Can the Weather Affect My Child's Asthma?</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/seasonal-allergies.html?WT.ac=p-ra">Seasonal Allergies (Hay Fever)</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/trigger-mold.html?WT.ac=p-ra">Dealing With Triggers: Mold</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/triggers-irritants.html?WT.ac=p-ra">Dealing With Triggers: Irritants</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/asthma-triggers.html?WT.ac=p-ra">Asthma Triggers</a></li> </ul> <ul id="relatedArticlesListKids" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="kids_tab"> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/kids/triggers.html?WT.ac=p-ra">What Are Triggers?</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/kids/weather-asthma.html?WT.ac=p-ra">Can the Weather Affect My Asthma?</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/kids/asthma-triggers.html?WT.ac=p-ra">Dealing With Asthma Triggers</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/kids/asthma.html?WT.ac=p-ra">Asthma</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/kids/allergy-asthma.html?WT.ac=p-ra">What's Allergy-Triggered Asthma?</a></li> </ul> <ul id="relatedArticlesListTeens" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="teens_tab"> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/allergy-asthma.html?WT.ac=p-ra">Definition: Allergy-Triggered Asthma</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/triggers.html?WT.ac=p-ra">Definition: Triggers</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/asthma-homes.html?WT.ac=p-ra">Asthma-Safe Homes</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/asthma-triggers.html?WT.ac=p-ra">Dealing With Asthma Triggers</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/weather-asthma.html?WT.ac=p-ra">Can the Weather Affect a Person's Asthma?</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/allergies.html?WT.ac=p-ra">Allergies</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/asthma.html?WT.ac=p-ra">Asthma</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="boxBreaker"> </div> <div id="zeroTester"> </div> <div id="relatedButtonsHolder"> <div id="relatedButtonsBoth"> <ul> <li id="relatedPrinterButton"><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/triggers-pollen.html?view=ptr&WT.ac=p-ptr" rel="nofollow" onclick="printWindow(this.href); return false;" title="This link will open in a new window.">Print<span class="newWindowIcon_leftSpace"> </span></a></li> <li id="relatedEmailFriendButton"><a rel="nofollow" href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/triggers-pollen.html?view=emailto&WT.ac=s2af-en-parents-triggers-pollen.html" target="_blank" title="This link will open in a new window.">Send to a Friend<span class="newWindowIcon_leftSpace"> </span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div><br clear="all"></div><br clear="all"><script>window.onload=setVars('');PKTChoose(6,5,7,0);</script><div id="kh_lic_footer"> <nav aria-label="Content info"> <ul id="kh_lic_footer_links"> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/editorial-policy-licensee.html">Editorial Policy</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/policy-licensees.html">Privacy Policy & Terms of Use</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/copyright.html">Copyright</a></li> </ul> </nav> <div id="kh_lic_footer_legalease"> <p><img lang="en" alt="A KidsHealth Education Partner" src="/images/n00/logos/eduPartner3.svg"> Note: All information is for educational purposes only. 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