Does your child also have a series of sneezes when he wakes up in the morning? Does his nose constantly run watery? Are his eyes red and itchy? When these things continue, how sad do you feel as a mother or father who watches them? Many parents think at times like this, "The dust and wind in the area where we live must be bad. Maybe if we move to another place, this disease will get better." This is a common thought among many people. But does moving really improve a child's allergies? Let's talk about this today.
What exactly is this allergy?
Simply put, an allergy is an overreaction of our immune system to something that is normally harmless (such as dust, pollen, or certain foods). The things that cause this reaction are called allergens . When these enter the body, the immune system thinks it is a big enemy. It then starts to fight against it. The sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and sometimes skin rashes are the result of that fight.
Now let's look at the relationship between what you think about moving and what actually happens.
Is relocating really a solution?
Many people think that if they move from their humid, dusty environment to a place with dry, clean air, this problem will be solved. Imagine that you are in an urban area like Colombo, with a lot of traffic fumes and dust. You think that if you move to a place with cold, clean air like Nuwara Eliya, your child's allergies will be greatly improved. Or if you move to a place with dry weather like Hambantota, it will be better.
There is a little truth in this story, and there is also a big mistake.
Moisture and House Dust Mites
If your child's allergies are caused by house dust mites, a type of tiny animal found in house dust , moving from a humid area to a sunny, dry area may provide some relief. These dust mites need a lot of moisture to live and breed. They have a hard time surviving in a dry environment.
But remember, making a decision like this without knowing for sure whether dust mites are the cause of your child's allergy is risky .
Outdoor Allergens
This is where many people make a mistake. If the cause of your child's allergy is not dust mites, but something outdoors, like pollen from trees, flowers, or grass , then no matter where you go, it may not work.
Imagine that you went to a region that is as dry as a desert. In those regions, trees, grasses, and shrubs that are native to that environment grow. Those trees also release pollen. That means that even if you are safe from one type of pollen, there is a high chance that your child will be allergic to a new type of pollen.
| Allergen Type | The impact of changing residence |
|---|---|
| House Dust Mites (More common in humid environments) | Moving from a humid area to a drier area may provide some relief , but it may not be a complete solution. |
| Pollen (Every region has its own unique trees, flowers, and grasses.) | Moving from one area to another will not solve the problem . The child may become allergic to the pollen types in the new area. |
| Molds (Grows in soil, damp walls, among leaf litter) | Molds grow in the soil even in dry areas, so moving house won't make much of a difference. |
The disadvantage of dry air
There's another thing. Let's say you've moved to a dry area. When you breathe in extremely dry, hot air all the time, the delicate tissues in your child's nose and throat, which are already sensitive to allergies, can become even more dry, irritated, and painful . That means you could end up with another problem instead of getting rid of it.
So what is the solution?
Before making a big, life-changing decision like moving, there are a few things you need to do.
1. See a specialist: The most important thing you need to do is refer your child to an allergist . Or, talk to your family doctor about this.
2. Find the exact cause: The doctor can perform various tests (e.g., a skin prick test) to find out exactly what the child is allergic to. Once they know whether it's dust mites, a type of pollen, or something else, it's much easier to treat .
3. Manage the environment: Once you know the cause, you can make your home environment child-friendly.
- For dust mites, you can: wash bedding and pillowcases regularly in hot water, vacuum the house thoroughly, and remove things like carpets.
- For pollen : You can do things like keep windows closed during high pollen times (like early morning) and wash your body after playing outside.
4. Take medication as prescribed by your doctor: Taking the medications prescribed by your doctor (e.g. antihistamines, nasal sprays) exactly and for the right amount of time can go a long way in controlling these symptoms.
Moving your home may be a last resort, but it should only be done after you know exactly what's causing your child's allergies and under medical advice. Otherwise, guessing will only make things worse for you and your child.
Take-Home Message
- Relocating due to a child's allergy is not always a successful solution.
- Moving from a humid environment to a dry one can provide some relief from allergies caused by house dust mites .
- However, for outdoor allergens like pollen , moving is not effective because each area has its own unique pollen types.
- Extremely dry air can further dry out a child's already sensitive nose and throat, increasing pain.
- The best thing you can do is to definitely see a doctor, especially an allergist, to find out the exact cause of your child's allergies before making a big decision like moving.
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