As parents, when our children are coughing and sneezing with a runny nose, we automatically run to the medicine cabinet for the cold medicine. But, does your child actually have a cold or could it be allergies? So many people confuse the two because the symptoms are very similar. It’s important though to know what’s going on with your child in order to treat the symptoms accordingly.
Coughing, sneezing, a sore throat and runny nose are very common symptoms of a child with allergies, but when things start to get itchy, that’s when you can be almost sure of it. Your child may complain of itchy eyes, an itchy nose or even in the roof of their mouth. That could be the determining factor for you, but here are some other ways to tell if you’re dealing with allergies or a cold.
Make sure your child isn’t running a fever. Children usually get fevers because of an infection and not allergies. If a fever is present, be sure to keep a close eye on your child and bring them in if you sense something serious.
Keep track of the symptoms. Allergy symptoms can last for weeks at a time, while a cold can come and go in a few days.
Is it springtime? Children with allergies usually see the worst of their symptoms during the springtime, and sometimes during fall. If you notice your child developing heavy symptoms around the same time each year, then you can almost guarantee it’s seasonal allergies.
Pay attention to your child’s activities. If your child loves playing outside, but they always come back inside sneezing or coughing, it’s probably allergies. Grass and other plants, especially during pollen season, are prone to triggering allergy symptoms. You should also make sure your pets aren’t triggering symptoms if you have them.
If you still aren’t sure what’s going on with your child, don’t hesitate to bring them in for a checkup. At Pediatric Partners, we have a pediatric allergist on staff to diagnose and treat your child’s symptoms. Whether your child is dealing with seasonal allergies or allergic asthma, we can help.
We have three locations to better serve our patients: Augusta, Evans, and Grovetown. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment!
