Caring for kids in allergy season

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/05/2025 (315 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Summertime and the livin’ is sneezy … when you have a kid with allergies.

Time off school means time outdoors doing all the fun stuff – unless a stuffy nose comes with it. And leaving allergies untreated won’t just make for a miserable child, it can potentially lead to other issues.

“It is important to treat seasonal allergies in children because their symptoms are often more severe than adults. Seasonal allergies in children are also more likely to be associated with conditions such as asthma, eczema and conjunctivitis (pink eye),” says Dr. Stepanie Liu (@lifeofdrmom), a family physician, and assistant clinical professor at the University of Alberta and founder of By Dr. Mom.

“Untreated seasonal allergies in children can significantly impact their physical and mental well-being, quality of life, and ability to function at school. There are also studies to suggest that untreated seasonal allergies can increase the risk of developing asthma, sinus problems and ear infections.”

She adds that since children may not always understand what allergies are, they sometimes put up with severe symptoms.

“Seasonal allergies can make it difficult to sleep at night which can lead to feeling tired or having trouble concentrating during the day, difficulty completing schoolwork, irritability or trouble with sports,” she says.

Symptoms in children are generally similar to those in adults.

“They may include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, sore or itchy throat and coughing. However, children may have more intermittent and severe symptoms,” she says.

Where you live also matters.

“There are some differences in seasonal allergies in the rural communities versus urban areas due to differences in environmental exposures and air quality,” says Dr. Liu.

“Even though rural areas have higher pollen counts compared to urban areas, urban areas tend to report higher symptom severity due to the higher amounts of pollutants.”

Since seasonal allergies can mimic the common cold, how can a parent be sure what is causing those sniffles? Duration could be your first clue.

“Allergies can last for weeks or months, while the common cold usually has a shorter duration typically less than two weeks. Seasonal allergies also tend to recur yearly around the same time each year,” says Dr. Liu.

“Allergy symptoms appear immediately after exposure to allergens such as pollen.”

She explains that cold symptoms can show up more gradually starting with a sore throat or stuffy nose.

“With allergies, nasal discharge is usually clear and watery, while the nasal discharge with a common cold can be clear or thicker and discolored. Common colds can sometimes be associated with a fever, whereas allergies are not,” she says.

“Allergies are commonly associated with itchy eyes, nose or throat and bouts of sneezing.”

Dr. Liu recommends a thorough medical history and physical exam focusing on the timing and nature of symptoms.

Once a diagnosis is made, a visit with a pharmacist is in order.

“This is essentially a minor ailment that in most cases can be managed quite well with interaction in the pharmacy,” says Rob Jaska, manager/pharmacist at Medical Centre Pharmacy in Brandon, Manitoba.

“Oftentimes, the parent could speak to the pharmacist and we would do a brief assessment and medical history to determine if it is in fact seasonal allergies and rule out any other conditions.”

Jaska says over-the-counter antihistamines are the go-to treatment.

“Aerius, Claritin, Reactine, or generic versions of those medications are the drugs of first choice,” he says.

With some medications, you could see results within hours. Jaska suggests a one to two week trial to see how your child responds and if a change is needed. For some, a nasal steroid spray might be in order – then it’s time to go back to the physician.

If your child is taking other medications, whether prescribed or over the counter, it’s important to share that information with the pharmacist.

Jaska says that parents can get a handle on seasonal allergies.

“Sometimes the best results are when medication is used as prevention or used on a daily basis to prevent the onset of allergies,” says Rob Jaska.

“Engaging in proper allergen avoidance and learning some prevention strategies can really help.”

» wendyjbking@gmail.com