A recent Parenting.com article featured on CNN Health discusses why kids get sicker at night and points out that one reason is asthma and allergies.

Dr. Santiago Martinez, a pediatric allergist and clinical assistant professor of medicine at Florida State University Medical School in Tallahassee, describes why asthma symptoms worsen at night: "The body's level of cortisol drops at night, and cortisol has some preventive effects on asthma." Conversely, histamine levels rise at night, exacerbating allergy and asthma symptoms. In addition, dust mite allergen and pet dander are often present in higher concentrations in children's rooms, increasing exposure during sleep.

Parenting.com offers the following tips for helping allergic and/or asthmatic children through tough nights:

• Antihistamines, which should only be used in consultation with your child's doctor, can alleviate symptoms.
• Consider immunotherapy shots, which slowly build immunity to allergens.
• For asthmatic children, have a bronchodilator on-hand at all times. Peak flow meters to monitor your child's breathing and medications are also important to have on-hand.

"Preventing steps to reduce allergens can go a long way, too," writes Laura Flynn McCarthy, who recommends:

• Keeping the child's windows closed to reduce pollen exposure.
• Banning pets from the child's bedroom.
• Using allergy-proof covers on bedding.
• Using a HEPA vacuum cleaner and vacuuming your child's bedroom and the home frequently.
• Using a HEPA air filter in the bedroom to minimize allergen exposure.
• Cool-mist humidifiers to help ease respiratory congestion.

For allergy products specially designed for children, see our Child Allergy and Asthma page.