Childhood Spring Allergies

Spring is a beautiful time of year—but for many children, it also marks the beginning of

seasonal allergy symptoms. As trees begin to bloom and pollen levels rise, many kids

develop what we call seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever. Some

have allergic conjunctivitis (pink eye) too. While allergies are not dangerous for most

children, they can make kids miserable, disrupt sleep, affect concentration in school,

and sometimes worsen asthma.

What Causes Spring Allergies in Children?

Spring allergies occur when a child’s immune system overreacts to pollen in the air, especially from:

• Tree pollen (most common in early spring)

• Grass pollen (late spring into summer)

• Environmental allergens stirred up after winter

When these allergens enter the nose or eyes, the immune system releases histamine,

which causes the symptoms. Children with a family history of allergies, asthma, or

eczema are more likely to develop seasonal allergies.

Is this a cold... or is it allergies?

Common Symptoms of Childhood Spring Allergies

Allergy symptoms often last weeks to months, unlike viral colds that typically improve

within 7–10 days. Often, the symptoms of both can appear very similar.

Typical signs include:

• Runny nose (usually clear drainage)

• Nasal congestion

• Frequent sneezing

• Postnasal drip

• Itchy nose

• Itchy, watery eyes

• Redness of the eyes

• Dark circles under the eyes (“allergic shiners”)

Other symptoms include:

• Scratchy throat

• Mild cough

• Fatigue from poor sleep

• Frequent nose rubbing (sometimes called the allergic salute)

• Unlike a cold, fever and body aches are not typical with allergies.

When Can I Expect Childhood Spring Allergies to Start?

In the Midwest, allergy season usually begins: Late March–April with tree pollen and May–

June with grass pollen. Symptoms may worsen on dry, windy days when pollen counts are

high.

My Child Has Allergy Symptoms: What Can I Do?

Many children benefit from a combination of environmental measures and medications.

1. Antihistamines - block histamine, the chemical responsible for allergy symptoms.

• Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

• Loratadine (Claritin)

• Fexofenadine (Allegra)

  
  

These are non-drowsy and safe for most children when used appropriately.

2. Nasal Steroid Sprays- Often the most effective treatment for nasal allergy symptoms by

reducing inflammation in the nose directly and reduce congestion, sneezing and runny

nose.

• Fluticasone (Flonase)

• Triamcinolone Acetonide (Nasacort)

  
  

These sprays work best when used daily during allergy season, not just when symptoms

appear.

3. Allergy Eye Drops - Most helpful when itchy eyes are a major issue and relieve eye

itchiness, redness and watery eyes.

• Ketotifen (Zaditor or Alaway)

Natural and Supportive Approaches

Many families also want to support their child’s

body naturally during allergy season. While these approaches may not completely replace

the need for medications for moderate to severe allergies, they can sometimes help reduce

symptoms.

1. Nasal Saline Rinses - Saline sprays or rinses can help wash pollen out of the nasal

passages. They can reduce congestion, clear allergens from the nose and is safe and well

tolerated for daily use.

2. Local Honey - Some families try small amounts of local honey, hoping exposure to local

pollen may help improve allergen tolerance. Scientific evidence on this is mixed, but it is

generally safe for children over age 1 and may be worth a try! So find your local

beekeeper.

3. HEPA Filters - Using HEPA air purifiers in bedrooms can reduce indoor pollen exposure.

Other Strategies to reduce exposure include:

Keeping windows closed during high pollen days

Showering after outdoor play

Changing clothes after being outside

4. Herbal Remedy: Quercetin - a plant flavonoid found in foods like apples, onions, and

berries. Some studies suggest quercetin may stabilize mast cells involved in allergies and

reduce histamine release. It is generally consider safe in the short term but clinical trials

are limited with minimal studies in kids.

It is important to discuss herbal supplements with your pediatrician before starting them,

as dosing and safety in children can vary. Most herbal and homeopathic remedies for

allergies have very limited evidence at this time.

You should talk with your pediatrician if:

• Symptoms interfere with sleep or school

• Over-the-counter medications aren’t helping

• Your child develops wheezing or breathing issues

• Symptoms occur year-round

Sometimes allergy testing or additional treatments may be helpful in the above cases.

Spring allergies are extremely common in children and can be frustrating for families—but

the good news is that there are many safe and effective ways to manage them.

Often the best approach is a combination of:

• Environmental measures

• Appropriate medications

• Supportive natural strategies

With the right plan, most children can enjoy the outdoors again without constant sneezing

and itchy eyes.