If your child has prolonged cold symptoms, breaks out in rashes or sneezes frequently, he or she may be one of the more than 2 million American children with common childhood allergies. he most common symptoms for children include:

• Change in behavior;
• Feeling slower and drowsy;
• Itching and sneezing.

Since children cannot always verbalize their symptoms, they may exhibit behavior problems in school and at home. Parents should be on the alert for possible allergies if their child has periods of irritability, behavior problems or decreased ability to concentrate in school.

Family vacations are a special time for family members to explore new places and experiences together. But keep in mind that with the excitement of visiting different areas of the country, staying in hotels, and being exposed to different environments, your child's allergy symptoms can get worse. To avoid serious allergy problems, you may want to follow some of these tips:

• Speak with the pediatrician about what you should do if your child's allergies get worse during your vacation. Find out which allergy medicines to use for various situations, and the dose of each medicine. Keep a list of your child's medicines and the doctor's instructions handy.
• Make sure your child's allergy symptoms are under control before you leave.
• Choose motels that do not allow pets. Request nonsmoking rooms.
• If you plan to fly or travel by train or bus, use a carrier that doesn't permit smoking.
• Pack enough of your child's allergy medicine to last 1 or 2 days longer than the vacation (just in case you come home a day or two later than expected).
• Pack dust mite encasings for pillows (or bring your child's pillow with a few clean pillow cases).

While you are traveling, always carry your child's allergy medicines with you so you will have them just in case your luggage gets lost or you go out somewhere on the spur of the moment. If you are traveling by plane, have your child chew gum or suck on a lollipop during takeoffs and landings to reduce pressure in the ears. While traveling in the car, keep the windows closed and set the air conditioner on recirculate.