Common Pediatric Seasonal Allergies Q&A

Spring and summer can be miserable for allergy sufferers, and that goes for kids as well. Even the most seasoned parent can have a hard time distinguishing between children’s allergies and a cold, even when they recognize their own allergy symptoms. When a child has allergies, he or she may feel miserable and not be able to concentrate in school or during extracurricular activities. It is common for children with seasonal allergies to sound stuffy and congested. Also, parents may notice that their child is eating with their mouth open because they have trouble breathing through their nose. Allergies are usually characterized by sneezing, itching of the nose and throat, and redness and itchiness in the eyes. The nasal drainage caused by allergies is similar to that caused by a cold, but it looks clear and watery. The mucus discharge from a cold is thicker and yellow or green in color.
 
Seasonal allergies can affect children between the ages of 3 and 5. Kids as young as 1 or 2 years old can be affected by indoor allergens such as dust mites and pet dander. It is possible for adults to outgrow childhood allergies, or they can persist throughout their lives.
 
The only way to know for sure if your child is suffering from seasonal allergies is to consult a medical professional. Seasonal allergies are identifiable by their recurring nature. Allergy tests may be run in some cases. Seasonal allergies occur most frequently in the spring and summer months.

A common childhood ailment caused by allergies is allergic rhinitis. Runny and itchy noses, sneezing, postnasal drip, and nasal congestion (blockage) are common symptoms. Chronic ear infections and itchy, watery, red eyes can also be symptoms of allergies in children. Allergy rhinitis isn’t triggered by hay and doesn’t cause fever, even though it’s often called “hay fever.”

It is possible that seasonal allergies are to blame if your child develops cold symptoms at the same time every year. People who are exposed to allergens usually suffer from sudden allergy symptoms that last as long as they are exposed to the allergen.

Allergic conjunctivitis is characterized by itchy, watery, and/or red eyes. Allergies that trigger asthma in kids may also cause coughing, wheezing, and/or shortness of breath.

The terms “hay fever” or “seasonal allergic rhinitis” are sometimes used to describe seasonal allergies. A tree, grass, or weed releases tiny pollen particles into the air during certain times of the year, causing allergy symptoms.
 
Pollen-allergic people’s immune systems treat these particles (allergens) as invaders and release chemicals, including histamine, into their bloodstream to combat them. As a result of their release, allergy symptoms occur.

Pollen can cause allergic reactions in some people. A person’s allergic reaction is determined by the type of allergen. Children with allergies to tree pollen, grass pollen, and weed pollen are likely to experience increased symptoms during spring and summer.
 
Seasonal allergies can develop even in kids who have never had them before. Children can develop seasonal allergies at nearly any age, but they usually do not begin before they are two years old. By the age of 20, most people who are going to develop seasonal allergies will have done so.
 
If your child is suffering from seasonal allergies, Pediatric Associates of Frisco, TX can diagnose and treat them. Contact us through our website to book your next online appointment and to meet our team of medical professionals. We are conveniently located at 9191 Kyser Way Suite 500, Frisco, TX 75033 . We serve patients from Frisco TX, Little Elm TX, The Colony TX, McKinney TX, Prosper TX, Aubrey TX, Oak Point TX, Lakewood Village TX, Plano TX, and Dallas TX.