As the seasons change, many parents notice their children sneezing, rubbing their eyes and dealing with a constant runny nose. If these symptoms seem to happen around the same time each year, seasonal allergies may be the cause. But what about younger children? Can babies and toddlers have seasonal allergies, too?
To help answer these questions, we spoke with Nora Odisho Domit, DO, an adult and pediatric allergist and immunologist with Banner Health, who shared insights on when seasonal allergies typically appear, what causes them and how you can help your child find relief.
Why babies and toddlers are too young for seasonal allergies
If your baby or toddler has a runny nose, sneezing or congestion, you may wonder if allergies are to blame. However, Dr. Odisho explains that it usually takes two full seasons of exposure to airborne allergens before a child becomes sensitized and develops allergic reactions.
“Most children are diagnosed with seasonal allergies by age 6,” she said. “Perennial allergens, such as animal dander or dust mites, can appear sooner due to more frequent exposure, but seasonal allergies don’t typically develop in toddlers because they haven’t had enough time to build an allergic response.”
In other words, young children need repeated exposure to things like pollen before their immune system recognizes them as allergens and reacts. If your baby or toddler has cold-like symptoms, they’re more likely due to a virus, teething or indoor irritants rather than seasonal allergies.
What causes seasonal allergies in children
The most common cause of seasonal allergies are airborne allergens, including:
- Tree pollen (spring)
- Grass pollen (late spring and early summer)
- Weed pollen (late summer and fall)
- Mold spores (damp weather, piles of fallen leaves)
“These pollens and molds cause seasonal symptoms, while allergens like animal dander and dust mites can cause symptoms year-round,” Dr. Odisho said.
Common symptoms of seasonal allergies
Seasonal allergies often look similar to colds, but they tend to last longer and follow a pattern each year. The most common signs include:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Postnasal drip
- Itchy nose and ears
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Trouble sleeping
- Skin rashes (such as eczema)
- Coughing or throat-clearing
Unlike a cold, allergies don’t cause fever or body aches. If your child has chronic congestion, sneezing and itching around the same time each year, allergies are probably to blame.
Safe and effective treatments for children with allergies
You can do the following to help your child this allergy season.
1. Avoid the problem
“The mainstay allergy treatment is avoidance,” Dr. Odisho said. However, she acknowledged that this can be difficult with environmental allergens like pollen.
To reduce your child’s exposure, you can:
- Keep windows closed during peak pollen seasons
- Use air purifiers and air conditioning with high-efficiency (HEPA) filters
- Wash clothes and bathe your child after outdoor play
- Wash bedding frequently in hot water
- Check pollen counts and limit outdoor activities when levels are high
2. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
Most allergy medications are safe for children.
“You can try second-generation antihistamines, such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin), as these are non-drowsy options that have fewer side effects,” Dr. Odisho said.
She also highlighted that intranasal steroid sprays (nasal sprays) can help relieve congestion and other symptoms. “Saline sprays in the nose can also help wash out allergens and particles,” she said.
3. Allergy testing and immunotherapy
If your child continues to have chronic and severe symptoms, allergy testing can help identify the root cause.
“Allergy testing is recommended closer to age 3 or older for environmental allergies,” Dr. Odisho said. “By age 5, allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots) can be considered as a treatment option.”
Allergies or asthma? How to tell the difference
You may wonder if your child’s symptoms are caused by allergies or something more serious, like asthma. Dr. Odisho explained that allergies can trigger asthma but shouldn’t cause lower airway symptoms on their own.
“If your child has a cough, shortness of breath and/or is wheezing, it’s important to think of asthma,” she said. If your child has problems breathing along with allergy symptoms, talk to their health care provider to discuss testing and treatment options.
When to see a health care provider
You should see your child’s provider if:
- Your child’s allergies affect daily activities or sleep
- OTC medications don’t seem to help
- Your child has asthma symptoms along with allergies
- You’re unsure whether your child’s symptoms are due to allergies or something else
Takeaway
While seasonal allergies can make kids miserable, they are manageable with proper care. Babies and young toddlers typically don’t develop seasonal allergies, but children over age 2 can start showing symptoms after repeated exposure to allergens like pollen and mold.
By tracking your child’s symptoms, limiting allergen exposure and using provider-recommended treatments, you can help your child feel better and enjoy each season with fewer allergy struggles. If your child's symptoms don’t improve or worsen, talk to your provider or a Banner Health specialist about allergy testing and immunotherapy as the next step.
