You want your child to be healthy. So when kids start sneezing, parents start looking for solutions! The trouble is that symptoms like sneezes or runny noses can have multiple causes. And to most parents, sneezing due to allergies will look identical to sneezing due to a rhinovirus infection. Only your child’s pediatrician will be able to tell you with certainty which is which.
If your goal is to make your child feel better when the sneezing starts, knowing the cause is going to be important. Over-the-counter medications that alleviate cold symptoms won’t always work when the cause is an allergic reaction. (The opposite is also true–what works on allergies won’t always work on colds.)
This can be frustrating for a parent. Finding out what’s driving those symptoms can help you provide better care and comfort.
What is an Allergy?
Most people think of allergies as something like hay fever–or sometimes even “spring fever.” Turns out these names are misnomers; allergies are not contagious and they almost never present with fevers.
In order to recognize allergies in your children, it may be important to understand what they are and how they function. (This can also help make it clear why allergies are sometimes difficult for parents to identify.)
Essentially, allergic reactions occur because your body makes a mistake. Let’s examine, for example, an allergy to pollen. When pollen enters your body, your body mistakenly identifies this pollen as a harmful substance. As a result, the body’s immune system activates, just as it would if a cold virus invaded your cells. All kinds of immunological reactions begin occurring, including inflammation and the production of excess mucus. When a non-harmful substance like pollen causes this immune response, it’s called an allergic reaction.
Types of Allergies
Allergic reactions like this usually occur in response to a specific substance, called an allergen. Most people will only be allergic to a handful of very specific things.
Common types of allergy categories include:
Seasonal allergies: These are allergies which are triggered by allergens that have a seasonal cycle. For example, trees, weeds, and other plants release pollen on a very reliable annual cycle. If you are allergic to any of these pollens, you’ll likely experience allergy symptoms around the same time every year–on a seasonal basis. (Hence, the so-called “spring fever.”)
Food allergies: When you are allergic to food, you may have a response from physical contact, ingestion, or both. In some cases, these responses can be quite serious. Peanut allergies are famous for being a particularly common and serious food allergy, but they are far from the only one. Some food allergies can be life threatening, so it’s important not to take food allergies lightly.
Insect allergies: Another common allergy type is an insect allergy. The most common example is an allergy to bee stings. Sometimes these allergies can be life-threatening, so having an EpiPen on hand is usually recommended when you know you have such an allergy.
Latex allergies: For some people, contact with latex can cause an allergic reaction. The severity of this reaction can vary from person to person.
Mold allergies: It’s also possible to have allergies to airborne particles, such as mold and dust. These allergies will often create symptoms very similar to seasonal allergy symptoms.
Your symptoms may vary depending on the allergen. For example, allergies to food, insects, latex, and medications tend not to cause sneezing.
The cause of your allergies is important to identify. Some allergies (especially food and insect allergies) can produce a condition called anaphylaxis, in which your immune system floods your body with enough chemicals to send you into shock. Anaphylactic shock can be life threatening, so it’s important to talk to your pediatrician about how to be prepared.
How to Identify Sneezing Due to Allergies
So, you’ve noticed that your child is sneezing, but you aren’t sure whether that’s sneezing due to allergies or a cold they picked up at school. There are a couple of ways you can try to identify allergy-related symptoms.
Here are some questions you can ask that will help you:
What is the color of the mucus? It may not be the most glamorous thing, but take a look at the color of mucus produced by your child’s sneezes. Clear mucus usually indicates an allergic reaction of some kind. If the mucus has a distinct color (such as green or yellow), that’s usually a good sign that there’s an illness at work.
Does my child have a fever? If your child is running a fever, that’s a good indication that they are dealing with an illness of some kind. Allergic reactions will almost never result in a raised temperature. Of course, the lack of a temperature is not in itself proof that there is no bacteria or virus at work. Many illnesses will not necessarily result in a fever. It’s maybe better to think about it like this: if your child has a fever, it’s likely not allergies.
Do the symptoms go away after a week? Most colds and similar illnesses will resolve in a few days–sometimes a few weeks. Even sinus infections will usually only last for a couple of weeks. So, if your child’s symptoms are hanging on week after week, it’s likely that there’s an allergy at play. For example, if your child is allergic to a pet, the sneezing may continue for weeks on end.
Are the symptoms consistent? Most people are not exposed to specific allergens all day every day. For example, if your child is allergic to pollen, they will likely be more symptomatic when they are outside or around open windows. If your child is allergic to pet dander, they will be more symptomatic inside your home (especially when your pet is in the same room). Noticing when your child is most symptomatic can help you narrow down the cause.
Does your child complain of itchiness? If things are itching, that’s a strong sign that allergies may be at play. As with other presentations, the lack of itchiness does not necessarily indicate a lack of allergic reaction. But if your child is scratching their eyes and sneezing, there’s a strong chance that allergies are the culprit.
Does an antihistamine clear up your child’s symptoms? If you provide your child with a child-safe antihistamine and their symptoms clear up, it’s likely that allergies were indeed the cause. In most cases, antihistamines will not help your child feel better if they are fighting off a cold or other illness. But they do help with allergies.
Does your child appear to have a black eye (or two): Look below your child’s eyes. If they appear black and blue (what’s sometimes called an “allergy shiner”), this may be a good indication that an allergic reaction is at work.
Do your child’s symptoms occur at the same time every year? If your child starts sneezing in the middle of March every year, it’s likely that seasonal allergies are the culprit. Of course, this isn’t always cut and dry. Children often get sick, for example, when school starts and germs begin moving from student to student quite freely.
This list can help you determine whether your child is sneezing due to allergies or not. However, it’s important to point out that health can be complex, and you may need a diagnosis or referral from your pediatrician to be sure.
What Can You Do About Allergies?
If you’re concerned about your child’s allergy symptoms, you can make an appointment with your pediatrician to talk about your options. In general, the following treatments and therapies are available for allergies:
Allergy testing: You’ll be referred to a specialist who can attempt to test your child to determine their specific allergens. This can help your child avoid those allergens in the future.
Symptom management: In some cases, your child may be able to manage their symptoms by avoiding allergens and using over-the-counter medications. Your pediatrician can help you determine what this might look like.
Long term treatment plan: If your child’s allergies are impacting their day-to-day life, you may discuss possible long term treatment plans with your pediatrician. This can include several therapy options, including allergy shots.
It’s possible that your child may outgrow their allergies over time. For others, their allergies may be with them for the rest of their lives. Most people with allergies are able to avoid allergens and self-treat symptoms, leading otherwise healthy and normal lives.
If It’s Not An Allergy, What is It?
So, if your child is not dealing with sneezing due to allergies, what is causing their symptoms? There could be a few explanations, but the most likely is going to be a viral or bacterial infection of some kind. This could include:
A common rhinovirus, such as a cold
Influenza
Covid-19
RSV
Sinus infections
And more
A one-off sneeze may also be caused by non-harmful, and non-disease-related occurrences. For example, inhaling a small amount of pepper or spices can cause you to sneeze. Recurring sneezing can be caused by:
Nasal polyps
Environmental causes
And more
Get the Sneezing Solutions Your Child Needs
If your child is sneezing and you don’t know why, it may be a good idea to talk to your pediatrician. You can talk about allergies, the best way to spot them, and the best way to treat them during your child’s annual wellness visit–or you can make a special appointment by contacting our Chicago or Northbrook offices today!