Kids' hay fever linked to aches, pains

Children who suffer from bouts of hay fever may be more likely to suffer from headaches, facial pain and ear aches, the results of new research indicates.

Hay fever, which is also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, is a condition in which a person is allergic to pollen and spores. Symptoms include a runny nose, congestion and itchy eyes. An estimated one in 10 Irish people are affected.

A team of researchers looked at 500 children with current symptoms of hay fever and 504 children without the condition. They wanted to determine if children with hay fever suffered any additional problematic side effects.

The study found that 55% of children with hay fever experienced an increased occurrence of headaches compared to 19% of those without the condition.

A further 29% of those with hay fever reported facial pain or pressure, compared to just 3% of children with no hay fever.

Meanwhile 23% experienced ear pain or pressure, compared to 5% of the children without the condition.

The researchers suggested that facial symptoms associated with hay fever may be an under-appreciated source of discomfort for many children.

Details of these findings were presented at the 2008 meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) in Chicago.

For more information on hay fever, click on…http://www.irishhealth.com/clin/asthma/hayfever.html

[Posted: Mon 22/09/2008]