children's allergies and their effect on sleep
Children’s allergies, such as asthma, hay fever and eczema, can affect their sleep by being disruptive. Ways to reduce their symptoms are to keep their bedroom clean, control the humidity of their sleeping environment, keep their windows closed, give them regular baths and use hypoallergenic bedding.
Asthma affects 1 in 11 children in the UK, and eczema affects 1 in 10 children.
Asthma worsens at night because sufferers experience a reduction in epinephrine and an increase in histamine
Children's allergies and their effect on sleep
Now that World Asthma Day has been and gone, there is no better time to discuss the uncertainties and worries that come hand-in-hand with childhood allergies. Asthma, food intolerances and eczema are just a handful of the types of allergies that children can experience from a young age.
More often than not, these allergies can impact the quality of sleep children get, which is detrimental to their health and growth. This then leaves parents feeling even more helpless, but that doesn’t have to stay the case. Whether your child is coughing at night or in distress after a meal, we’re here to delve into children’s allergies and how they can affect their sleep, while providing you with ideas on how to make a nursery or bedroom allergy friendly.
the most common children’s allergies
Children are at risk of obtaining many different allergies, some more obvious in their symptoms than others. Here’s an insight into some of the most common:
Food intolerances: food intolerances affect nearly 5% of all children under the age of five years. The most common being egg, milk, soy and wheat which are sadly all beneficial in a child’s growth and development. But as a silver lining, there are ways that you can support your child in growing out of a food intolerance - a popular solution is to introduce the food back into a child’s diet gradually.
Asthma: similarly, asthma affects 1 in 11 children in the UK, making it a huge worry for parents across the nation. Unfortunately, asthma isn’t curable, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to minimise its symptoms which we will address later in this article.
Eczema: like asthma, eczema affects a staggering 1 in 10 children and unfortunately, it's an ongoing problem that although can be reduced in severity, is with someone for life.
Hay fever: Hay fever is a very common allergy, in children and adults alike. From itchy eyes to sniffly noses, hay fever affects 0-15% of all children as a result of an allergic reaction to pollen. Like in adults, reducing the effects of hay fever is done through Antihistamines but child-friendly variations.
how do you know if your child has asthma?
While we always recommend seeking medical advice if you’re concerned your child has asthma, there are common signs that you can look out for. These include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and wheezing (a whistling noise when breathing). If your child seems like they’re in a lot of pain next to these symptoms, it could be down to chest tightness or other pain connected to asthma.
how does asthma affect a child’s sleep?
Due to the above symptoms of asthma, including a child coughing at night, it's no surprise that a child’s sleep is affected, especially when there’s a much higher chance of experiencing them in bed. Nocturnal asthma, also known as nighttime asthma, is much more dangerous and should always be monitored alongside the required treatment given by a doctor.
With asthma, studies have shown that when a child is constantly coughing at night with shortness of breath, they spend less time asleep as they do awake. The same disruptions occur for other allergies, including hay fever and skin irritation from eczema. Because of this, sleep quality is diminished, which plays such a vital role in a child’s health and development.
how can you tell the difference between asthma and a viral cough?
To determine whether your child’s cough is a sign of asthma or a common viral infection, it's important to figure out when the coughing happens most. For instance, nighttime coughing usually signals asthma as once a child falls asleep, they experience a reduction in epinephrine and an increase in histamine production. The hormone histamine tightens airways, whereas epinephrine opens the airways instead. If it's a viral cough, on the other hand, it tends to be pretty consistent throughout the day too.
children's allergies and sleep apnea
With common symptoms of allergies being nasal congestion and airway inflammation, it’s no wonder that they can cause the onset of sleep apnea . Sleep apnea refers to your breathing pausing multiple times during the night, and many allergy triggers can worsen its effects. Usually, you can pinpoint whether your child might be suffering from allergies and OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) from loud snoring, restless sleep, behavioural issues and daytime sleepiness.
how can you reduce a child’s allergies at night?
Now that you have a better understanding of common allergies in children and how they can impact their sleep routine, let’s talk about how we can lessen the effects at night to ensure a quality night’s sleep for your little one.
Keep the bedroom clean: Dust, mould and other unwanted substances in a bedroom space can be a huge contributor to forming allergies or causing symptoms to worsen. You should keep on top of dusting, hoovering and washing bedding to eliminate dust mites and other allergens from the air.
Control humidity: The humidity level of your child’s bedroom should stay between 30-50% as too much humidity can encourage mould growth, and too little can irritate the nasal passages. What’s more, high humidity levels will increase the chances of your child coughing at night. A dehumidifier is your best bet at combating these issues.
Keep windows closed: It's no surprise that leaving your windows open all day can allow pollen to enter the space, which is why keeping it closed is recommended, especially during high pollen seasons. Worried about it getting too hot in their room? Our article on how to keep a room cool with give you some helpful tips and tricks.
Give them regular baths: Bathtime should become a part of their daily routine in order to wash off any allergens that they may have picked up during the day. This avoids transferring said allergens onto their bed.
Use Allergen-Proof Covers: Invest in hypoallergenic mattresses and bedding to help aid air quality and avoid allergens forming in their bed. Many of our mattresses, pillows and mattress toppers are naturally resistant to allergens, giving you peace of mind that your child is getting a healthy night’s sleep.
comparing the sleep disturbances caused by pet allergies vs. dust allergies in children
While the symptoms of pet allergies and dust allergies can manifest the same in children, there can be some differences which’ll allow you to distinguish which they’re suffering from.
pet allergies
Causes: Animal fur and saliva
Symptoms: Usually sneezing, congestion, coughing, itchy eyes and sometimes skin flare-ups
Sleep impact: Difficulty falling and staying asleep
dust allergies
Causes: Dust mites
Symptoms: Often sneezing, worsen asthma and eczema, congested sinuses, itchy eyes, and sometimes skin flare-ups
Sleep impact: Breathing is usually impacted, therefore the ability to fall and stay asleep is a struggle
faqs
Find out all the answers to our most commonly asked questions around children’s allergies and sleep.
are children's allergies impacting sleep more than adults?
Yes, it’s possible for allergies to affect children more than adults as they’re still developing physically, and with smaller airways, it’s easier for them to become congested.
what’s the impact of dust mite allergies on a child's sleep quality?
As dust mites tend to live in bedding, allergies can become more severe at nighttime, often leading to sleep disruption that’s caused by symptoms like consistent coughing, sneezing and itching, as well as nasal congestion. The more disruptions they experience, the less time they spend in deep, restorative sleep which is vital for development.
how do food allergies affect children's sleep?
How food allergies affect their sleep will depend on the severity of the allergy. In severe cases, children will experience sleep attacks, but for common food allergies like dairy or soy, their sleep may just be disrupted by stomach pain, itching or even eczema flare-ups.
is there a correlation between the severity of allergies and sleep problems in children?
Yes, there’s definitely a correlation; with allergies often causing children to find it harder to fall and stay asleep, as well as experience frequent wakeups and lack of REM sleep.
are mattress protectors good for allergies?
Yes, our naturally hypoallergenic mattress toppers are fantastic if you or your child suffers from an allergy as they help prevent dust mites, pet dander and other allergens forming in your mattress.
do anti-allergy mattresses work?
Our anti-allergy kids mattresses are effective for reducing allergy symptoms as they resist dust mites and other allergens too. Using special hypoallergenic and breathable materials, the airways are given a much better chance of staying open.
are hypoallergenic sheets worth it?
Similarly, hypoallergenic sheets are made from tightly woven fabrics which prevent dust mites, pollen and pet dander from forming in a child’s bed. Not only will allergic reactions be minimised using hypoallergenic sheets but overall comfort will be enhanced.
what kind of pillow is best for asthma?
We recommend a hypoallergenic pillow if you or your child suffers from asthma. Like the above, you will be less exposed to common allergens which often trigger asthma symptoms. Our naturally hypoallergenic pillows come in a range of firmness's and materials, allowing you to find an option suited to your sleeping style.
are down pillows good for asthma?
We’d suggest that you steer away from using down pillows if you suffer from asthma. Down pillows are a lot less breathable and don’t hold the same properties as other varieties of pillows, including synthetic and hypoallergenic.
what are the best duvets for asthma sufferers?
The best type of duvet to use when suffering from asthma are hypoallergenic duvets made from materials such as organic cotton, wool, polyester or synthetic down alternatives like microfibre. Always go for a washable duvet to remove any potential allergens regularly by washing it on a hot cycle and try to look out for breathable qualities to promote good airflow.
By creating an allergy-friendly bedroom for your child, which works in conjunction with any prescribed medication for their asthma, you can help your child stop coughing at night. What’s more, you’ll help them gain quality sleep each bedtime, aiding their growth and development.
