Even though it is never a convenient time for kids to get sick, it seems to be worse when they are not feeling well in the summer. Allergies are usually associated with springtime, and colds are linked with winter. However, both of them can happen to children at any time of the year. It is easy to get confused and mistake one for the other because the symptoms are similar. The following can help you know whether your child has a summer cold or summer allergies.
Kids and summer allergies
Weeds and grasses are the culprits that cause summer allergies. Specific weeds that cause problems are tumbleweed, sagebrush, pigweed, cockle weed, and ragweed. Examples of grasses that cause allergies include Bermuda grass, sweet vernal, orchard, red top, and blue grasses.
Allergies can be caused by indoor or outdoor triggers. Going from an indoor environment with allergens to an outdoor environment with different allergens can make symptoms even worse. The most common symptoms of allergies are itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, and runny nose.
Kids and summer colds
Common colds are caused by a group of viruses that is different in the summer than it is in the winter. While colds are more common in the winter, they can still happen during the summer. Typically, a cold is something you should not be concerned about unless symptoms are accompanied by a high fever or they last longer than two weeks. Summer colds caused by viruses or bacteria often present headaches, fever, body aches, and discolored mucus.
Symptoms that summer allergies and colds share
It can be challenging for you to tell whether or not your child has allergies or a cold because the symptoms of the two are so similar. This is especially the case if your child is new to having allergies.
Common symptoms children experience from the two ailments include fatigue, headaches, stuffy nose, runny nose, coughing, congestion, and a sore throat. Depending on what caused the sickness, symptoms may present as mild, moderate, or severe. Your child’s individual reaction to allergies or colds is also a factor. Between one week and ten days is the duration of a summer cold, while allergy symptoms may last for a longer period of time.
How you can treat summer allergies and colds
Thankfully, the treatment for both allergies and colds is often the same because of the similarity in symptoms. Various recommended treatments include pain relievers, saline spray, over the counter decongestants, cough drops, proper hydration, and rest.
Specifically, allergies may be treated with over the counter antihistamines and eye drops. You may want to use a multi-symptom cold medicine to treat your child as well. The active ingredients in these include a cough suppressant, nasal decongestant, pain reliever, antihistamine, and a fever reducer.
Hot summer days are not the best time to treat children with warm soup or hot tea. Instead, consider a sinus rinse. You could also prepare some iced tea with honey for them. Increase vitamin C intake by serving your child citrus fruit and juices low in sugar. Finally, using a humidifier in their room relieves some of the symptoms of allergies and colds, without adding heat.
Get the right allergy testing and treatment for your child
If you think your child may be suffering from allergies, finding an experienced pediatrician is the best way to help. Dr. John M. Young is committed to providing the best clinical experience for you and your child. Our clinic is a friendly environment your child will enjoy without worry or stress. Call us today at (806) 354-0404 to schedule an appointment or Contact Us by email with any questions or to learn more about our Services. You can also stop by in person at 1500 S. Coulter St. #3 in Amarillo, TX.
