4 Signs Your Kid Is Dealing With Allergies (& What To Do About It)

There are few things more confusing and stress-inducing than attempting to distinguish whether your little one has a cold or allergies. As a parent, you’ve most likely been there before — scrambling to figure out the best way to help your miserable kiddo dealing with a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, or an itchy throat. It doesn’t help that symptoms of pesky allergies and the common cold, especially when on the milder side, are nearly identical. If you pay close attention, though, there are certain clues that will signal what’s going on with your kid. And just know you’re not alone: According to a National Health Interview Survey, 18.9% of children were reported to have a seasonal allergy. In fact, in school-aged children aged 6 to 7, prevalence globally has been reported greater than 8.5%.*

While they produce incredibly similar symptoms, there are certain ways to discern whether your child has caught a cold (which is super common when attending day care or school) or if allergies are plaguing them. For one, fevers or chills may be a clearer indication your child has a cold or viral infection. Other distinct markers of colds include muscle aches and pains or watery eyes on its own. If mild-to-moderate allergy symptoms bother kids, they should be able to function without missing school or activities. On the other hand, a cold may often leave your child completely wiped out, especially when a cold has first struck. Read on for more telltale signs that your child is dealing with allergies:

1. Itchy, Watery Eyes.

Watery eyes can be hard to tell on its own. However, eyes that are itchy, watery and red, or even swollen are typically indicative of allergies. Your child might also develop what is medically referred to as an “allergic shiner,” which looks like reddish-purple discoloration under the eyes. This is a result of the congestion in their sinuses.

2. Nasal Discharge.

If you notice they’re producing clear, thin nasal discharge and/or have developed a horizontal nasal line across the bridge of the nose from repeatedly wiping their nose, your kid is likely dealing with allergies. Both are signifiers. Meanwhile, thick yellow or greenish nasal discharge is generally associated with the common cold.

3. Lingering Symptoms When Exposed To Allergens.

Colds usually should clear up within several days, while kids with allergies will experience lingering symptoms over an extended period of time as long as they’re exposed to allergens. Pollen season (spring through fall, depending on the season and region) can lead to symptoms lasting for longer than 14 days and may be hard to shake for months.

4. Sudden Onset Of Symptoms.

When symptoms come on suddenly after exposure to common allergens such as animal dander, pollen from trees, grasses, weeds, and dust mites, it's fair to say your child is having an allergic reaction caused by the aforementioned allergens.

If the symptoms above track with what you’re observing in your child, they may be experiencing allergies. A good idea is to keep a non-drowsy antihistamine in your cabinet in case situations like this come up. The #1 allergist-recommended non-drowsy oral antihistamine brand on the market for indoor and outdoor allergy relief is Children’s Allegra, which is not only long-lasting (up to 12-hour relief), it also won’t make them sleepy. Not to mention, it has a kid-approved berry flavor.

To learn more about Children’s Allegra, click here.

*Source: Schuler et al. Allergic rhinitis in children and adolescents. Pediatr Clin North Am.

2019 Oct; 66(5):981-993.