April 18, 2024

Allergies or a Cold? Navigating Spring Illnesses

As allergy season heats up, your little ones may show cold-like symptoms. Allergies and colds can cause symptoms like sneezing, coughing, or running nose. So, how can you tell the difference?

With the Get Well Place, your child will be cared for in a comfortable and child-friendly environment. Staffed by a medical professional, the Get Well Place provides short-term care for mildly ill children with common childhood illnesses such as colds, flu, stomach bugs, and more. Our staff also provides support for children enrolled in LeafSpring School with chronic or unique needs, giving families peace of mind throughout the day.

Differences in Cold and Allergy Symptoms

During the spring, allergens like pollen, trees, grasses, and pet dander all increase. In some cases, it can trigger an increase in immune function or allergic reaction. In most cases, allergy symptoms will include:

• Itchy, watery eyes
• Congestion
• Occasional sore throat
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Puffy eyes
• Tiredness

With a cold, however, symptoms can be more pronounced than those caused by allergies. Colds can come from person-to-person contacts, surfaces, or respiratory droplets. Symptoms for colds or can include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Achiness
• Congestion

Determining if your child has allergies or a cold can be tricky. When in doubt, contact your pediatrician. You can also use these factors to help determine what’s causing your child’s symptoms.

1. COVID test
2. Check for fever– according to Children’s Health, the presence of a fever usually indicates a cold or COVID instead of allergies.
3. Check your child’s eyes– red, irritated eyes or purple or red discoloration under their eyes (sometimes called an ‘allergic shiner’) can indicate congestion and irritation caused by allergies.

The best practice is to contact your pediatrician is always the best course of action. However, with Get Well Place, you can rest assured that you have a partner to provide excellent, individualized care for your sick child while they are away from you. For more information, click here.