KNOW HOW TO SPOT ALLERGY SYMPTOMS IN KIDS

How do you know your child is suffering from allergies and not a cold? There are three factors to consider: your family allergy history, the type of symptoms, and the amount of time your child has experienced those symptoms.

KNOW YOUR FAMILY ALLERGY HISTORY

Allergies are often hereditary, which means they can be passed down through your genes to your children. You don’t pass on specific allergies; rather, just the likelihood of having them.1

But just because you or your partner has allergies doesn't mean all of your children will have them. The opposite is also true: some children have allergies even if they don’t have an allergic parent.

KNOW THE TELLTALE SYMPTOMS

Airborne allergens, such as pollen, mold, dust mites, and dander, can cause something known as allergic rhinitis. It will usually develop by the time your child is 10 years old and peak during the teenage years or early twenties.

Allergy symptoms in kids can include:

Sneezing
Sneezing

Itchy NoseItchy
Itchy NoseItchy

For more details on distinguishing among allergy, cold, and flu, symptoms see "Know Your Enemy: Cold, Flu or Allergies?"

KNOW THE TIMEFRAME

If your child’s allergy symptoms last longer than a week or two, or if he or she develops symptoms at the same time every year, consult your doctor or an allergist. An allergist will most likely do a skin test to determine if it’s allergies and, if so, the associated triggers.

Sources:

1. Hirsch, L. (2014, March 1). All About Allergies. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2015. http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/allergies/allergy.html