Seasonal allergy, or seasonal allergic rhinitis, involves a set of allergic symptoms that occur during certain times of the year. Specifically, this happens when trees and other plants release pollen particles that affect the immune system of some people. These allergens are attacked by the body through certain substances that the cells generate, and cause the well-known allergic symptoms. These usually present characteristic patterns, so parents can identify if their children have seasonal allergies.
Although in most cases it is not something that is serious for children’s health, the symptoms can be quite annoying. Furthermore, it should be taken into account that this can lead to other clinical conditions. For example, asthma, a disease of the bronchi, which requires monitoring by qualified medical personnel to assess its severity and the treatment to follow.
Seasonal allergy symptoms include sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, cough, itchy eyes, watery or red eyes, and sometimes a sore throat. When the allergy seems to largely affect the eyes, it could be a case of allergic conjunctivitis. On the other hand, if the child has wheezing and has the sensation of choking, in that case it is possible that the allergic symptoms have given rise to asthma.
However, something that often happens with seasonal allergies is that they tend to be confused with colds, since they share several symptoms. But they also differ in many other ways. Therefore, one way to distinguish between both conditions is to pay attention to certain warning signs, such as the presence of fever or fatigue, which are generally linked to a cold. The duration of symptoms is another clue, since colds usually don’t last more than a couple of weeks. If these persist, it is most likely a seasonal allergy.
Distinguishing between the two is important, since the treatment the child undergoes will depend on this. However, the most advisable thing would be to directly go to a medical consultation with the minor, in order to receive an appropriate diagnosis. The professional will determine the best treatment depending on the symptoms and other particular characteristics of the child.
In the case of seasonal allergies, this is treated with antihistamines and sometimes nasal sprays. It is also advisable to take certain precautions, such as washing the child’s clothes after being exposed to the outdoors, as well as using air purifiers and filters at home. Another recommendation is to vacuum the rooms often.
