24/04/2026
Are you noticing your child having more emotional ups and downs latelyâŚ
struggling to focusâŚ
or seeming more sensitive than usual?
At this time of year in the UK, there can be a reason that isnât always obvious.
From March to May, tree pollen peaks.
Then from May to July, grass pollen rises, this is the biggest trigger for most people.
More pollen = more immune activity
More immune activity = more histamine released in the body
And this is where it gets interestingâŚ
Histamine isnât just involved in allergies.
Itâs also a neurotransmitter, meaning it directly affects how the brain functions.
So when histamine levels rise, it doesnât just look like hay fever.
It can look like behaviour.
⢠More emotional reactivity
⢠Lower frustration tolerance
⢠Poorer focus
⢠Feeling mentally âbusyâ
⢠Increased sensory sensitivity
⢠Sleep struggles
This is because the nervous system can become more âon edgeâ, shifting slightly into a fight or flight state, where calm is harder to access.
So itâs not âjust behaviourâ
It can be a reflection of whatâs happening underneath, a body thatâs slightly inflamed and more alert.
You may also notice the more obvious signs alongside this, runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, unsettled sleep.
From a supportive point of view, simple things can help:
⢠Getting outside earlier in the day when pollen is lower
⢠Rinsing hands and face after being outdoors
⢠Keeping windows closed on high pollen days
⢠Supporting the body nutritionally
Vitamin C is particularly interesting here.
Itâs involved in how the body breaks down histamine, and studies have shown lower vitamin C levels are linked with higher histamine levels.
Itâs not a cure-all, but it can be a really supportive nutrient, especially during times like pollen season.
And just to say, every child is different.
Not all children will be affected, and for some, symptoms can be more complex.
But if youâve been noticing changes recentlyâŚ
it might be worth considering whatâs in the air, not just whatâs in front of you
