How to Tell if Your Child Has Allergies: 5 Signs to Look For

Symptoms

Allergy symptoms can vary depending on the allergen and each individual child. Below are common allergy symptoms often seen in kids and toddlers¹:

Runny or stuffy nose

Sneezing

Itchy and watery eyes

Sore throat

Itchy nose or throat

You can find more detail about each symptom here.

It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between allergies and cold symptoms, especially when it comes to children. Symptoms like body aches and fevers are symptoms of a virus, such as the common cold, and are not considered allergy symptoms. Allergy symptoms stick around longer than cold symptoms, which typically only last for 7 to 10 days. You can read more about cold vs allergy symptoms to help tell the difference.

Timing

Tracking the timing of your child’s allergy symptoms can help you identify whether the cause is indoor (year-round) or outdoor (seasonal) allergens².

For example, if your child experiences the same symptoms at roughly the same time every year, it is more likely that they are allergic to outdoor allergens such as pollen from tress or weeds³.

On the other hand, if symptoms occur throughout the year, they may be caused by indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, or indoor mold².

Outdoor Triggers

Outdoor allergies are caused by triggers that exist primarily outdoors, like pollen. Pollen allergies are seasonal, so if your child experiences allergy symptoms after being outside at a specific time each year, they may have seasonal allergies.

Some common outdoor/seasonal triggers for allergies include⁴:

Tree pollen: Tree pollen is most prevalent in the spring but can vary depending on the region⁴.

Grass pollen: Grass pollen is most prevalent in late spring, between April and June⁵.

Ragweed pollen: Ragweed pollen is most prevalent in the fall peaking in mid-September⁶.

Mold spores: Mold spores can be present throughout the year, although many become inactive in cooler months⁷.

Indoor Triggers

Indoor allergies can happen year-round. Pay attention to any patterns you notice. For example, does your child show more symptoms around pets or dust? Do you notice a difference when your child is at home vs at school or daycare?

Some common indoor/year-round triggers for allergies include:

Dust Mites: Dust mites are tiny creatures that live in dust and feed on dead skin cells. They are found in bedding, carpets, furniture, and other household items.^8,9,13

Pet Dander: Pet dander is made up of tiny flakes of skin shed by animals. It can be found on pet fur, clothing, and furniture.^10,13

Indoor Mold: Mold is a type of fungus that grows in damp, humid environments. It can be found in basements, bathrooms, and other areas of the home.^11,13

Cockroaches: Cockroaches are pests that can produce allergens that trigger allergies and asthma.^12,13

Genetics

Genetics play a large role in allergies. A child has a 30-50% chance of developing allergies if one parent has allergies, and a 60-80% chance if both parents have allergies. This is because certain genes that are associated with allergies can be passed down from parents to children.¹⁴

However, it’s important to note that genetics are not the only factor that determines whether your child will develop allergies. Environmental factors, like being exposed to allergens, can also play a role.¹⁴

If you think your child has allergies, talk to your pediatrician. Explore our helpful Allergy Guide to learn more about kids and allergies, or discover Children’s ZYRTEC® products to help provide your child with powerful 24-hour relief that works on allergens indoors & outdoors, and all year round.

Learn More

To learn more about how to help your child get relief from seasonal allergies visit this article. To compare antihistamine products for children use this comparison tool. Ready to buy? Browse Zyrtec products for children here.