[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/06\/seasonal-allergies-in-kids\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/06\/seasonal-allergies-in-kids\/","headline":"Signs of Seasonal Allergies in Kids","name":"Signs of Seasonal Allergies in Kids","description":"Signs your child may have seasonal allergies; symptoms, treatment, management","datePublished":"2023-06-30","dateModified":"2026-04-15","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/GettyImages-653833004.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/GettyImages-653833004.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/06\/seasonal-allergies-in-kids\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Pediatrics"],"wordCount":1244,"articleBody":"You may chalk your kid\u2019s sniffles, sneezes, or never-ending runny nose up to a simple cold. But if cold-like symptoms happen at about the same time each year, then seasonal allergies are a possible cause.Here\u2019s how to tell if your child has seasonal allergies.What Are Seasonal Allergies?Seasonal allergies are a type of allergic rhinitis. They occur when a trigger, called an allergen, irritates or inflames your nose or nasal passages.Seasonal allergies happen mainly because of pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds. But outdoor mold \u2014 often found in leaf matter \u2014 can also trigger seasonal allergies.Can Kids Get Seasonal Allergies?Seasonal allergies in kids are common. They often begin in childhood and worsen as you age and come into contact with more environmental allergens. But they can also run in families \u2014 if one or both of your parents have seasonal allergies, you\u2019re more likely to develop them, too.Nearly one in five children has seasonal pediatric allergies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Boys are more susceptible \u2014 about 20% of boys have seasonal allergies, but fewer than 18% of girls do.Can toddlers have seasonal allergies?A toddler usually needs at least a couple of exposures to seasonal allergens to develop seasonal allergies. Still, the CDC estimates that 10% of children under age 5 have seasonal allergies.Because younger kids can\u2019t tell you how they\u2019re feeling, you have to look for symptoms and clues.Signs of Seasonal Allergies in KidsColds can happen at any time of year, with cold symptoms lasting about a week to 10 days. But your child may have a seasonal allergy instead of a cold if:Ongoing and repeated cold-like symptoms persist for more than a week.Symptoms happen at about the same time every year.Symptoms of seasonal allergiesSeasonal allergies rarely cause a fever. If your child has a fever, it\u2019s more likely due to a viral infection, such as the common cold or flu.Typical seasonal allergy symptoms in kids include:Congested or stuffy nose.Ear popping or infections caused by inflammation and fluid buildup.Itchy nose or throat.Itchy, red, runny, or watery eyes.Mouth breathing during sleep because of a stuffy nose.Runny nose.Sneezing or sniffling.Sore throat because of postnasal drip in the back of the throat.Problems With Seasonal Allergies in KidsKids\u2019 seasonal allergies are more than annoying. They can affect your child\u2019s health and quality of life.Allergies, including seasonal ones, are a big reason kids miss school. Seasonal allergies can also make asthma worse.According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 80% of kids who have asthma also have allergies. For these kids, allergy triggers are the most common cause of an asthma attack.If your child has seasonal allergies, it\u2019s important to get testing and treatment and reduce their risk.Testing for Seasonal Allergies in KidsYour child\u2019s doctor can help figure out if your child has seasonal allergies or something else. They may refer your child to an allergist, a specialist in treating allergies. The allergist will decide which tests your child needs to find out if they have seasonal allergies.Testing for seasonal allergies involves:Doing a physical exam.Learning your child\u2019s and family’s medical history.Ordering allergy sensitivity testing, including skin prick tests or blood tests.Tips for Managing Kids\u2019 Allergy SymptomsYou can\u2019t prevent your child from developing seasonal allergies. But there are things you can do to reduce your child\u2019s risk.If you know what triggers their allergy symptoms, you can work to avoid or reduce their exposure. For instance, you can check pollen and mold forecasts and stay inside when levels are high.If pollen is the culprit, you can also keep windows and doors closed during allergy season and use air conditioning instead. You should also avoid hanging clothes or bedding outside to dry to avoid pollen allergy symptoms.You can also teach your child to:Change their clothes when they come home for the day.Limit contact with pets who spend time outdoors. Wipe down their fur when they come inside.Not touch their eyes when they\u2019re outdoors.Shower before bed to remove pollen from their skin and hair.Take off their shoes before coming inside.Wash their hands as soon as they come in the house.Treatments for Seasonal Allergies in KidsYour child\u2019s doctor will decide how to treat your child\u2019s allergies. Options for allergy relief for kids depend on specific symptoms, their medical history, and how they react to the medicine.If your child has mild symptoms, simple lifestyle changes may do the trick.Allergy medicine for kidsSimple saline nasal sprays, which help flush pollen out of the nose, can also help relieve allergy symptoms. Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicines include:Antihistamines (oral, liquid, or nasal spray) \u2014 Block histamine reactions.Corticosteroid nasal sprays \u2014 Reduce swelling and inflammation.Decongestant nasal sprays \u2014 Provide short-term relief (less than three days).Many adult OTC allergy meds are safe for children in kid-sized doses. But always talk to your child\u2019s pediatrician first to confirm before giving them any medicine. If their doctor recommends allergy medicine, help your child take it safely by:Giving the dose your doctor suggests for your child\u2019s age or weight.Making sure the active ingredients aren\u2019t the same as those in other medicines they take.Reading and following the medicine\u2019s label.ImmunotherapyIf medicine doesn\u2019t help your child or they have trouble taking it regularly, allergen immunotherapy is another possible option. It involves seeing a pediatric ENT (ear, nose, and throat specialist) and getting:Allergy shots \u2014 From an allergist.Allergy tablets \u2014 Which dissolve under the tongue.Allergy medicine works best when taken at least two weeks before allergy season begins. This helps prevent your child\u2019s body from releasing histamine and other chemicals that cause seasonal allergy symptoms.Different plants release their pollen at other times, causing pollen seasons. When you know what plant causes your child\u2019s seasonal allergies, you can look up when it releases pollen where you live. Use that timeline as a guide for starting treatment.Pollen seasons vary by region, but for example:Grass pollen \u2014 Occurs from April through June.Tree pollen \u2014 Occurs from February through May. In some warmer climates, tree pollen may start as early as January.Weed pollen \u2014 Occurs from August through November.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on June 30, 2023, and was last reviewed on April 15, 2026.SourcesMore Than a Quarter of U.S. Adults and Children Have at Least One Allergy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics. Link. Diagnosing Allergies in Children. American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Link. Seasonal Allergies in Children. American Academy of Pediatrics. Healthychildren.org. Link. 9 Asthma Triggers and What to Do About Them. American Academy of Pediatrics. HealthyChildren.org. Link. Hay Fever Triggers. Tips For Parents. American Academy of Pediatrics. HealthyChildren.org. Link. Common Seasonal Allergy Triggers. American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Link.Pollen and Your Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Link. Pollen Allergy. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Link. Nasal Allergies (Rhinitis). Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Link.Allergy Relief for Your Child. Food and Drug Administration. Link. Seasonal Allergies: Which Medication is Right for You? Food and Drug Administration. Link.Flonase, Afrin, Nasacort, and More: What's the Best OTC Nasal Spray for Allergies? GoodRX. 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