Signs of Allergies in Children
It’s springtime, and if the new season has brought the sound of sneezing and sniffles to your house, your kids might be suffering from seasonal allergies. But how do you know if your child just has a cold, or if it’s more than that? And what should you do if you suspect allergies? Here are some clues.
- Duration. Colds generally last around one week and then resolve. The symptoms of allergic reactions usually persist longer than that.
- Nasal discharge. A cold often causes thick, yellow or green nasal discharge with a low-grade fever. Watery, clear discharge without fever is most often an allergy.
- Timing. If your child seems to have symptoms at the same time every year, seasonal allergies are likely the culprit.
- Age. Children under age 3 are unlikely to have a seasonal allergy. Experts believe it takes two to three seasons to develop the immunologic response to pollen which causes an allergic reaction.
- Family history. Allergies tend to run in families, so if you have allergies, your child is more likely to have the same reaction.
Help Kids Cope with Seasonal Allergies
Allergies can strike at any time, depending on geography. In the Northeast, many kids start to feel the effects of tree pollen as early as February, with April through June being the peak of the spring allergy season. Grass pollen causes reactions in the summer, and weeds in the fall. In many Texas cities such as San Antonio and Austin, cedar fever is a common allergy that peaks over the winter months.
If your child’s allergy symptoms are bothersome, the good news is that treatment really works. RediClinic’s board-certified clinicians can help you to manage symptoms with over-the-counter antihistamines and eye drops, prescription nasal sprays and nebulizer breathing treatments for children age 18 months and older. No appointment is necessary, so you can get the relief your child needs seven days a week.
