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Remember, if you are unsure about your diagnosis, or which treatment to use, consult a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Advice and Treatment

Hay fever and concentration

A study from the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit has revealed that hay fever symptoms can cause concentration problems throughout the school day, which may have an impact on your child's ability to learn¹.

However, it is possible to make a difference. BENADRYL® offers a range for children to battle their symptoms and help them stay on the ball.

Symptoms can affect children's quality of life

All sufferers will experience some or all of the usual physical symptoms like sneezes, sniffles and eye irritation. However, the study highlighted that, in children aged 7-10 years old, hay fever can also affect exam results and quality of life. The results of the study showed a correlation between high pollen counts and poor concentration levels.

The study also carried out research among 100 parents of non-medicated hay fever sufferers. 52% of parents questioned thought their child's quality of life was affected during the hay fever season and 50% of parents thought their child's ability to concentrate decreased. 60% of parents thought their child's sleep was affected and that they were more irritable.

What the experts say

Professor Jean Emberlin, Director of the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit comments:

The results of this study provide evidence that untreated hay fever has a detrimental effect on concentration in school age children. It appears that when suffering from hay fever, children are less able to concentrate on specific tasks. This is a trend that I have previously suspected and heard in anecdotal evidence, and this study offers further evidence to confirm the relationship. Often hay fever is trivialised, but this helps to bring it to the forefront of people's minds, and emphasises the need for parents to take the problem seriously and medicate their children.

How can parents help?

The effects of hay fever could have an impact on a child's long-term education or their willingness to join in with sports and activities, particularly if they take place on grassy playing fields. So what can parents do to help?

Understand how tiring and irritating it can be to suffer from hay fever and make allowances for your son or daughter's short temper.
Tell their teachers. That way they'll be able to keep an eye on your children and spot when they're having a difficult day.
Give your kids a hay fever kit to take to school, including plenty of small packs of tissues, and petroleum jelly for sore noses, so the troops are prepared.
Close the windows at home in the evening. It's the best way to avoid pollen when it's at its worst. Also place a humidifier in your child's room to help remove pollen from the air.
Get your kids back outside fast! If you've got sporty active kids they'll hate being stuck at home so try BENADRYL® Allergy Oral Syrup or BENADRYL® for Children Allergy Solution to help treat their hay fever symptoms and get them back outside enjoying the summer.
Make sure your children get a good night's sleep. Give your child time to relax and unwind, especially if they've been doing their homework in the evening. A warm drink and half an hour of reading can help them drift off to a good night's sleep.