May 2025 Issue 9
Framingham Pediatrics Family Fun Day
Saturday May 31st, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Join us on our front lawn for a day full of arts and crafts, face painting, story time and a visit from the Framingham Library Bookmobile.
Allergy Season is here!!
Spring allergy season has arrived! Warmer weather and windy days lead to pollen on our cars and annoying allergy symptoms in those of us who are allergic to pollen. Common allergy symptoms are clear runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and throat clearing. Allergies can often be distinguished from colds by the watery nasal discharge, the absence of a fever, and by the return of symptoms at the same season year after year. Allergies can also be a trigger of asthma symptoms in patients who have asthma.
The first step in helping your child with seasonal allergies is to minimize their exposure to pollen. Keep your child's bedroom window closed and keep car windows closed to avoid pollen blowing into children's faces while driving in the car. Because children spend at least one third of their day in the bedroom, it is worth trying to keep the bedroom as pollen-free as possible. Don't bring anything in to the bedroom that might carry pollen from outdoors. This might include removing coats, hats, and even shoes before the child returns to the bedroom. Don't let pets that have been outside bring pollen in to the bedroom. Consider washing your child's hair before bed to avoid bringing pollen from outside into the bedroom and on to the pillow.
Allergy medications can help relieve many of the symptoms of seasonal allergies. It is generally a good idea to have your child take allergy medication(s) regularly during the allergy season, rather than just when they have symptoms. These medicines are often more effective at preventing the onset of symptoms than at treating them once symptoms occur, and they also can take several days before becoming effective.
The main treatment option for seasonal allergies is oral antihistamines. The non-sedating oral antihistamines (Claritin®, Zyrtec®, Allegra® or Xyzal® are all available over the counter without a prescription. They all can be given in a single daily dose, though Allegra for kids is usually given twice a day. We recommend either Zyrtec® (cetirizine) or Claritin® (loratadine) as a first choice in this category and Allegra® (fexofenadine) or Xyzal® (levocetirizine) as a second option. These medications are generally preferred over Benadryl®, as they last all day and do not cause sedation.
Zaditor® (ketotifen) is the most effective eye drop for allergy symptoms of itchy, teary or red eyes. It is available over the counter.
Steroid nose sprays are generally more effective than oral medicines for nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. Flonase® (fluticasone) and Nasacort® and others are available over the counter without a prescription. If your child is taking an oral non-sedating antihistamine and is not getting as much relief as you would like, adding a nose spray is a good next step.
With the correct avoidance measures and treatments, most children will be able to find relief from allergy symptoms and be able to function normally during their allergy season.
For additional information on allergic rhinitis, check out our website.
Did you know?
Our office is open 365 days a year. Come to your medical home before going to Urgent Care! And our web page is open 24/7/365 with lots of information about medication dosing, common health topics, office information and so much more!
Spring Fun Helpful Reminders
Use inspect repellent with 10-30% DEET
Apply only once a day to children over 2 months of age (Length of protection increases with concentration)
Check for ticks regularly if your child has been outside (It takes at least 24 hours of tick attachment to transmit Lyme Disease)
Children should always be supervised at pools, lakes or the ocean. Drowning is the leading cause of injury death in US children 1 to 4 years of age and the third leading cause of unintentional injury death among US children and adolescents 5 to 19 years of age.
Always use sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher
- apply at lease 15 minutes prior to going outside
- reapply often in children over 2 months of age
Always wear a helmet while biking, rollerblading or riding a scooter (Don't forget your wrist guards, elbow and knee pads)
Employee Spotlight
Hannah - Medical Home Care Coordinator
How long have you been at Framingham Pediatrics? 23 years, in various roles
Favorite ice cream flavor: A combo of mint chocolate chip and coffee oreo
Favorite places you've traveled to: Belize and Costa Rica
Favorite Disney movie? The Lion King
What is the best part about working at Framingham Pediatrics? The connections I have made over the years; with patients and coworkers. I love watching our patients grow and change over the years and getting to know the families - both old and new to the practice. Strong bonds are created within the staff here as we are a tight knit team. I still keep in touch with many former coworkers as time goes on.
Do you have any hobbies? Photography; specifically scenic/nature