Can babies and toddlers have seasonal allergies?

Ah, spring – the season of blooming flowers, longer days, and … itchy eyes and endless sneezing? Here’s when kids tend to develop seasonal allergies, and what you can do to help.

Have you noticed your child getting a stuffy nose, scratchy throat, or watery eyes right around the same time each year? You’re not imagining things – seasonal allergies (aka hay fever) could be to blame.

But can a baby or toddler get allergies, and how do you know that’s what you’re dealing with? “Parents often have a difficult time telling the difference between allergies and the common cold,” says Liz Donner, M.D., a pediatric hospitalist and member of the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board.

Whether you’re a seasoned allergy parent or just starting to wonder why your child’s nose won’t stop running, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll break down what seasonal allergies are, when they’re likely to start, how to spot the symptoms, and what you can do to help your child breathe a little easier during allergy season.

Key Takeaways

Seasonal allergies happen when our bodies overreact to airborne particles such as pollen or mold.
Though seasonal allergies are common in kids and adults, they’re rare in babies and toddlers – it’s more likely that your baby has a cold or a different type of allergy.
For kids with seasonal allergies, nasal rinses, nasal sprays, and antihistamines can help – but check with their doctor before you add to cart.
If your child has seasonal allergies, there are strategies to keep them more comfortable (and less sneezy and miserable), whether you’re inside or outdoors.

Do babies and toddlers get seasonal allergies?

It’s not impossible, but it’s unlikely that your baby or toddler is having seasonal allergies. While seasonal allergies are common (they affect 19% of children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), they rarely develop before age 2. That’s because it usually takes a lot of exposure to these allergens over time before a child’s body reacts to them.

Seasonal allergies involve airborne particles such as pollen or mold. This type of allergy kicks up at the times of year when certain trees, grasses, or weeds are in bloom, or when mold releases its spores into the air. Tree pollen is most active in the spring, grass pollen in the late spring to summer, and weed pollen (ragweed in particular) in late summer to fall.

When an allergic child or adult breathes in pollen or mold spores, their body perceives it as a dangerous invader and reacts by releasing histamine and other chemicals. The nose and airways become inflamed and hay fever symptoms develop.

People can develop seasonal allergies at almost any age, but they typically start before age 10 (most often between ages 2 and 5) and peak in the early 20s. Sometimes the symptoms disappear in adulthood, but not always.

If your baby or toddler has symptoms that you think may be from a seasonal allergy, consider other possibilities. One is that they have a cold. Seasonal allergies are pretty rare in babies in toddlers, but colds aren’t! (See below for tips on telling the difference.)

Another possibility is that your baby or toddler has a different type of allergy. If so, you’re more likely to see symptoms year-round, and they may show up before the first birthday. Other possible allergens include:

Some foods. Food allergies usually begin in the first two years of life. In fact, at age 1, when food allergies peak, about 6% to 8% of children have a food allergy. The most common food allergens for children are cow’s milk, eggs, fish, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, soy, wheat, and sesame.
Mold. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), there are about 1,000 species of mold in the United States, and many of them are invisible to the naked eye. When the spores – which can grow in damp places indoors or outdoors – become airborne, they can cause allergic reactions.
Dust mites. Dust mite allergens settle quickly into dust or fabrics. These allergens cling to bedding, mattresses, upholstered furniture, carpets, and curtains. According to the American Lung Association, most exposure to dust mite allergens occurs while sleeping.
Animal dander from pets. Cats are more likely allergens than dogs, but even short-haired animals can deposit dander (white, flaky specks of skin cells) and saliva. Keep in mind that pets who are outdoors can bring back pollen and mold on their coats, triggering an allergic reaction in your child (so they may seem allergic to your pet when they’re not).
Medicines, such as some antibiotics and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
Pests, such as cockroaches and rodents.
Chemicals, such as those in detergents, cleaners, and dyes.

Signs of seasonal allergies in children

Signs and symptoms of seasonal allergies in children include:

A stuffy, runny, or itchy nose
Sneezing
A scratchy throat
Nose and/or eye rubbing
Sniffling, snorting
Watery, red, or puffy eyes
Dark circles under the eyes
Itchiness in the ears
Mouth breathing
Dry cough
Wheezing
Headache
Itchy skin and hives (less common for seasonal allergies)

How to tell the difference between a cold and allergies in kids

Many allergy symptoms mimic those of a cold. And some (like a headache) might be hard to identify in a baby or toddler. So what’s a parent to do?

“The easiest way to spot a cold is by the presence of a fever, since allergies alone don’t cause fever,” says Dr. Donner. “Also, cold symptoms typically clear up within a week or two, whereas allergies will last for as long as the allergic trigger (such as pollen or animal dander) is present.”

Here are some more tips for telling the difference between allergy symptoms and cold symptoms in kids:

An itching or tingling mouth or itchy eyes is likely allergies. “Itchiness is not usually a complaint with a cold, but it is the hallmark of allergy problems,” says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). A young child might rub their eyes, mouth, or ears, while an older child may be able to tell you they feel itchy.
Symptoms that show up around the same time every year – and last for weeks or even months – are more likely to be due to seasonal allergies.
If your child has a wet cough, a cold is more likely. Children with allergies are more likely to have a dry, hacking cough (or no cough).
Clear, watery mucus is more common with seasonal allergies, while a cold will produce mucus that’s thick, cloudy, and discolored.
If your child seems better when inside the house or car with the air conditioner on, it’s most likely seasonal allergies. (Air conditioning filters most pollen out of the air.)
And, of course, if your child has been exposed to someone with a cold, chances are that’s what they have.

Children with seasonal allergies may also struggle with:

Poor concentration
Tiredness, because chronic nasal stuffiness may interfere with the quality of their sleep
Sinusitis and chronic ear infections, if left untreated
Asthma (Allergens are the most common asthma trigger, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.)
Behavioral problems

What to do if you think your child has allergies

Talk to your pediatrician if you think your child may be developing allergies. They may refer you to a pediatric allergist, who can determine what your child is allergic to and how to manage the allergy.

BabyCenter Community member SME1921 says, “Our allergist has been a game-changer for our son. It’s helpful to pinpoint exact allergies so you can better manage them. And they can tailor treatments to your child’s needs.”

Allergy testing may be necessary to identify the exact cause of your child’s symptoms. The allergist may:

Perform a skin-prick test. This involves pricking the surface of your child’s skin with a drop of liquid allergen. After 15 to 20 minutes, the allergist looks for bumps or welts, like small mosquito bites, which indicate an allergy. The allergist may test a number of substances at the same time, depending on your child’s age.
Do secondary skin testing. Sometimes an allergist requests intradermal testing, in which a lower concentration of allergen is injected deeper into the skin with a fine needle. This is done when the allergist needs to be sure of certain allergens that tested negative with skin-prick testing.
Take a blood test. A blood test can check for antibodies specific to particular allergens. Blood testing isn’t as reliable as skin testing, but it has benefits in some cases.

How do you treat seasonal allergies in children?

It depends on how severe your child’s symptoms are. For most kids, symptoms can be controlled by avoiding the allergen and using nonprescription medicines, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Talk with your child’s doctor before giving medication for their allergy symptoms. There are children’s forms of some of the medications, and some are approved for babies as young as 6 months, but many are for children 2 and older.

Treatment options for allergies in kids include:

Saline nasal rinses. These are a safe way to clear your baby or toddler’s nose. If your child still seems stuffy after you squirt saline spray into each nostril, you can use a bulb syringe to finish the job. Learn more about how to use a bulb syringe or nasal aspirator and how to treat your baby’s congestion.
Nasal sprays. Some nasal sprays aren’t for children younger than 4, but there are several nasal sprays now approved for children ages 2 and up.
Antihistamines. These can help with itchy, watery eyes; a runny nose and sneezing; and itchy skin and hives. Older antihistamines can make your child drowsy, but several non-drowsy, newer meds are available over the counter.
Allergy shots. If your child’s allergies don’t respond to medications, these might be a good option. In general, allergy shots are for kids 5 and older.
Sublingual immunotherapy. If your child’s allergic to ragweed, grasses, or dust mites, they may be able to forgo allergy shots and do sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) instead. This involves placing an allergy tablet under the tongue, which can be done at home.

Can I prevent my child from getting allergies?

Sadly, no. The combination of family genetics and environmental influences determines whether your child will develop allergies.

According to the AAP, if either of a child’s parents has allergies of any kind, the child has a 40% chance of developing allergies, though not necessarily the same ones. If both parents have allergies, the likelihood jumps to 80%!

Although you can’t change the genetics, you can take steps to minimize your child’s exposure to allergens – which will greatly reduce your child’s symptoms. Here’s how:

Indoors

Keep things clean. Windows, bookshelves, and air conditioning vents collect dust and mold that can provoke allergies, so be extra diligent about cleaning. Wash bedding weekly in hot water. And use a HEPA filter in your vacuum.
Have everyone take off their shoes at the door so they don’t track in potential allergens.
Keep your child away from chemical irritants. Fumes from tobacco smoke, paint, insect sprays, and even new carpet can irritate the lungs and worsen your child’s allergic response.
Prevent mold from growing inside your home. If indoor humidity is above 50%, mold will thrive, says the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Use a dehumidifier, especially in the bathroom, basement, and laundry room. Clean the dehumidifier regularly to keep mold from growing in it. Don’t use a vaporizer or humidifier, which add moisture to the air.
Keep the windows closed and run the air conditioner, if you have one, during allergy season. (Close car windows and turn on the A/C when driving, too.)
Replace air filters in your air conditioner and furnace.
Remove drapery and carpeting in your child’s room, as these can trap allergens.
Don’t let anyone smoke in your home, car, or near your child.
Consider placing an air purifier in your child’s bedroom. An air purifier with a HEPA filter can help clear the air of some allergens. Experts debate how effective air purifiers are, but most agree they’re beneficial when used with other allergy-busting measures.
Keep pets out of your child’s bedroom, as your furry friends can track in pollen and mold.
Brush your pet outside to limit pet dander indoors, and wash your pet’s bedding often.
Give your dog a weekly bath. This will get rid of outdoor allergens in their fur.

Outdoors

Check the local pollen count. If possible, keep your child indoors more when the pollen count is high. You can check the pollen and mold levels for your area on the National Allergy Bureau website.
Schedule outdoor activities around pollen levels. In spring and early summer, pollen levels are highest in the evening. In late summer and early fall, pollen levels are highest in the morning.
Have your child wear a pollen mask if they’re spending time outdoors when the counts are high.
Stay off freshly mown grass. Mowing releases pollen and other allergens into the air.
Avoid old leaves. If your child is sensitive to mold, don’t make raking up leaves one of their chores. They probably won’t mind that, but the flip side is that playing in piles of leaves is a no-go!
Change your child’s clothes after they play outside. Make sure those items get washed before being worn again. If possible, have your kiddo hit the bath or shower right away – if not, wash their hands and have them bathe and wash their hair before going to bed.
Don’t hang laundry out to dry if your child is allergic to stuff in the air.