Does your child have a stuffy or runny nose? Watery eyes? Scratchy throat?
Allergy season runs from late August all the way through October, and sometimes into November… so, maybe it’s allergies.
But the fall is also a common season for colds to ramp up, especially with school starting and more intermingling of sniffly, watery eyed, scratchy throat kiddos.
So, maybe it’s a cold?
How can you tell the difference?
Although common colds and allergies share some similar symptoms, they are vastly different issues. Common colds are caused by viruses, while seasonal allergies are an immune response to an allergen in the atmosphere.
According to the Mayo Clinic, common cold symptoms can last between 5-7 days whereas allergy symptoms may stick around for weeks, depending on how prevalent that particular allergen is and how frequently your child is exposed to it.
Because colds and allergies have such different origins, they have to be treated differently in order to get any relief.
Rest, pain relievers, and cold remedies are recommended to treat cold symptoms. While you use antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal steroid sprays to treat allergy symptoms.
No one likes watching their child suffer (and no one wants to have to call off work to deal with a suffering kiddo). To get them the right treatment, it’s important to know what you’re up against.
Judging the Symptoms of Colds vs. Allergies
Here’s a quick guide to tell whether your child is dealing with colds or allergies:
Cold symptoms:
- Cough (Usually)
- Sneezing (Usually)
- Sore throat (Usually)
- Runny nose (Usually)
- Stuffy nose (Usually)
- General aches and pains (Sometimes)
- Tiredness and weakness (Sometimes)
- Fever (Sometimes)
- Itchy eyes (Rarely)
Allergy symptoms:
- Runny nose (Usually)
- Stuffy nose (Usually)
- Itchy eyes (Usually)
- Sneezing (Usually)
- Cough (Sometimes)
- Tiredness and weakness (Sometimes)
- Sore throat (Rarely)
- General aches and pains (Never)
- Fever (Never)
If it seems like your child gets the same “cold” every year at the same time, it’s possible they’re really dealing with allergies. Ashland ENT offers pediatric allergy testing and treatment to get to the bottom of your child’s discomfort. They do not have to go on tolerating these uncomfortable symptoms.
Schedule an appointment with our experienced staff or call (419) 289-8919 for a comprehensive evaluation of your child’s allergy symptoms.
