Spring in the Augusta area is usually yellow. There’s pollen everywhere! Although pollen isn’t the only allergen that can trigger your little one’s allergies, it is one of the biggest offenders. Pediatric Partners of Augusta is lucky to have Dr. Mary Anderson on our team. As a pediatric allergist, she specializes in preventing and treating allergies in children.
Even with all the pollen, allergies to inhaled substances, such as pollen and pet dander, are rare in baby’s first year, though allergy symptoms can begin at any age. Children usually develop seasonal allergies between the ages of 3 and 5. Most children with allergies will have symptoms by the age of 10.
When children inhale allergens, their immune systems start cranking out histamine, which causes symptoms, including:
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Itchiness that causes babies to rub their nose and/or eyes
- Watery, red or puffy eyes
- Frequent mouth breathing
- Sneezing
- A hacking, dry cough that produces clear mucus
- Wheezing
- Irritability, restlessness or excessive fatigue
- An itchy, runny or stuffy nose
- Trouble sleeping
- Headache
- Itchy ear canals
Is it allergies or a cold?
Because the symptoms of allergies and a cold are similar, it helps to know the difference. Here are a few ways to determine which condition your child might have.
Duration of symptoms: With a cold, symptoms tend to be the worst for the first few days then taper off and clear up completely within a couple of weeks. If symptoms stay the same and do not clear up, your child is suffering from allergies.
Family history: If one parent suffers from allergies, your child has a 25 percent chance of having them, too. If both parents have allergies, there’s a 60-70 percent chance of having them.
There’s a bug going around: If your child’s symptoms resemble those of his or her playmates, chances are that your child has the cold or virus that everyone else does.
Talk to your pediatrician
If you have any questions about allergies in your child, ask your pediatrician. Dr. Anderson, our pediatric allergist will be happy to help you discover, manage and prevent allergies in your children.
Pediatric Partners has three locations to better serve our patients. The Evans office is at 411 Town Park Blvd.; the downtown Augusta office is at 1303 D’Antignac St., Suite 2600; and the new Grovetown office is at 5135 Wrightsboro Road. For more information about Pediatric Partners, call the office at 706-854-2500, visit PedPartners.com, or follow the Pediatric Partners of Augusta Facebook and Instagram pages.
