Can Babies Have Seasonal Allergies?
If your baby is experiencing signs of hay fever—itchy and runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing—could they possibly have seasonal allergies? We spoke with experts to find out.
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Medically reviewed by Maya Gharfeh, MD, MPH
During allergy season, you might not leave the house without checking the pollen count and stuffing your pockets with tissues. You know that outdoor allergens might leave you with itchy eyes, a stuffy nose, and sneezing. But if your little one develops any of these symptoms, you might be wondering if babies can have seasonal allergies, too.
As it turns out, seasonal allergies are rare in babies. Reactions to outdoor triggers—such as weeds, grasses, and trees— aren't typically seen until at least 2 or 3 years old. Keep reading to learn more about seasonal allergies (also called allergic rhinitis or hay fever) in young children.
Why Don't Babies Get Seasonal Allergies?
Allergies develop after a cumulative exposure to an allergen, explains Anne Miranowski, MD, a pediatric allergist in Fairfax, Virginia. "An infant doesn't spend enough time outdoors to develop a reaction to tree pollen, grass, or ragweed," she says.
Indeed, kids typically require at least two consecutive seasons of exposure to develop environmental allergies. That's why they often don't appear until the late toddler or early childhood years.
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When Do Kids Develop Allergies?
Seasonal allergies may kick in during toddlerhood or childhood—usually between 3 and 5 years old, though they can also appear later. An estimated one in five children have a seasonal allergy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Your child has an increased risk if either parent also has an allergy. Their trigger may be completely different, though; for example, if you're allergic to pollen, your child might react to cats. But even if you and your partner never itch or sneeze, your kid isn't necessarily in the clear.
Childhood allergies are on the rise, and many young sufferers have no family history. Some experts think our super-clean, ultra-hygienic lifestyle plays a role. If kids live in an almost-germ-free bubble, the theory goes, their immune system will pick fights with other invaders, like pollen or household particles.
Related: The Best Allergy Medicines and Treatments for Kids
What If My Baby Has Seasonal Allergy Symptoms?
If you take your baby for a walk outside and often notice a runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and trouble breathing, your baby may have an allergy, says Renee Matthews, MD, an asthma and allergy expert in Chicago. But kids aren't typically bothered by outdoor triggers like grass and ragweed until after age 3, so the cause is likely something else entirely.
Other causes of allergy-like symptoms include recurrent colds, food sensitivities, and more. Also, babies can be bothered by household allergens such as mold, dust mites, pet dander, and cockroaches.
Pay close attention to when your child's sneezing or itching peaks: This can clue you in to what's responsible. For example, dust mites live in bedding and furniture, so if your child is allergic to dust mites, they'll probably wake up with itchy eyes and a runny nose after inhaling them overnight. Or if your baby can't tolerate pet dander, you might notice that their symptoms erupt when you're visiting Grandma and her cats.
Related: What to Know About Indoor Allergies in Kids
Allergy Symptoms in Babies and Kids
Seasonal allergies usually show up after age 3. Symptoms result from an overreaction of the immune system when exposed to the allergen, and they might include:
Runny nose
Itchy or watery eyes
Sneezing
Nasal congestion
Coughing
Wheezing
Dark under-eye circles
Frequent mouth breathing
Testing Your Baby for Seasonal Allergies
It's unusual for a baby to be tested for pollen allergies, but an allergist can help decide if a blood test or a skin prick test is necessary. During a blood test, the health care provider withdraws blood and measures antibody levels toward certain allergens to see if the levels are high.
On the other hand, a skin prick test involves a sharp, pointed metal probe coated with a drop of solution containing a certain allergen. The needle (or several needles coated with different allergens) is then used to gently prick a baby's arm or back so the substance can enter under the skin's surface. The allergist will then wait about 15 or 20 minutes and observe if there's a reaction to the allergen, such as the appearance of a hive, rash, redness, or swelling.
"The skin prick tests can determine whether the problem is allergens caused by pollen, or indoor allergens caused by pet dander, dust mites, and cockroaches," says David Stukus, MD, pediatric allergist and professor of clinical pediatrics at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
Related: 10 Home Remedies for Seasonal Allergies
What to Do for a Baby With Seasonal Allergies
If the blood test or skin prick test determines your baby has allergies, the doctor might prescribe medication or suggest a treatment plan. Otherwise, you can take certain measures to prevent your baby from coming in contact with allergens.
Avoid going outdoors at peak pollen times, usually early morning and late evening. Instead, head outdoors in the afternoon, and try not to go outside during windy days. If you need to run errands with your baby during peak times, wash your hands and your baby's hands after you come back inside to remove any pollen, or bathe your baby to wash away traces of pollen. Keep windows closed and air conditioners on in the warmer months.
Limit dust and pet dander at home by laundering sheets and towels in hot water once per week, and avoid line-drying clothes, as pollen can stick to them. Vacuum floors and carpets at least once a week, and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which removes pet dander. These simple changes to your routine can help you and your baby enjoy the outdoors in all seasons.
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