What Are Winter Allergies In Kids?

Your toddler may not have a cold if the symptoms have persisted for more than a month during the winter. Your kid may be hiding winter allergies from you. Seasonal allergies can be extremely miserable for many children. As a rule, they are not pleasant and might be challenging to control. Your kid, if this describes them, is not alone. It is estimated that 7.1% of American children have environmental allergies.

 

What Are Seasonal Allergies?

Sometimes referred to as "hay fever" or "seasonal allergic rhinitis," seasonal allergies affect approximately 10% of the population. Allergies typically flare up at specific times of the year, when pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds is floating through the air.

 

People who are allergic to pollen have immune systems that mistake these particles (called allergens) for foreign intruders and respond by releasing chemicals like histamine into the circulation to combat them. Allergy symptoms are brought on by the release of these substances.

 

Seasonal allergies can develop in children even if they have never had them before. A youngster typically doesn't develop seasonal allergies until beyond the age of 2. By the time they reach their 20s, the vast majority of persons who suffer from seasonal allergies have already developed them.

 

Effects of Allergies on Kids

• Rash or hives on the skin (atopic dermatitis or eczema)
• Breathing problems (asthma)
• Symptoms include sneezing, hacking, a runny nose, or irritated eyes
• Diarrhea and/or stomachache

Why Do you Get Colds and Allergies Every Winter?

Here are several common winter allergens to be aware of, from cat dander to dust mites.

1. Pet Odors

Allergens like pet dander and skin cell proteins are a year-round concern, but they tend to be more of a problem when we spend more time indoors in the colder months.

2. Mold

It's general knowledge that mold spores are a major trigger for seasonal allergies, especially in the winter. The fungus is like the pollen in the winter, only they aren't from flowers. Like pollen, mold spores can drift through the air and irritate your respiratory system and eyes.

3. Spider mites

Dust mites, which feed on dead skin and dander, can be found on your couch, bed, and carpets. These pests thrive in warm, humid climates, making them a year-round nuisance but especially troublesome in the winter.

Talk to your doctor if you think you could be allergic to pets, mold, or dust mites, or if you have any other allergy symptoms.

Instances of Childhood Allergies

• • Nasal allergy symptoms (hay fever) is the main example. Most cases of allergic illness in children manifest as allergic rhinitis. Nasal congestion, postnasal drip, runny and itchy nose, and sneezing are all symptoms (blockage). Eyes and ears may also be affected by an allergic child's symptoms. Commonly referred to by its colloquial name, "hay fever," allergic rhinitis is really characterized by nasal congestion rather than fever and is not caused by hay.
  • Congestion in the nasal passages (a stuffy nose) is a frequent childhood complaint, and allergies are a leading cause. If a child's nose is stuffed up, they may have to resort to mouth breathing, even when sleeping. The youngster may have trouble falling asleep, leading to fatigue the following day. Untreated congestion and mouth breathing can stunt the development of teeth and facial bones. Nasal congestion can be avoided if allergies are treated early on.

• Itchy Ears

 

• Itchy ears are also a symptom. Allergies can induce fluid buildup and ear inflammation, both of which can contribute to hearing loss and ear infections. A child with hearing loss may struggle to learn a language properly. Earaches, itching, popping, and fullness (sometimes known as "stopped-up ears") are all symptoms that can be brought on by allergies. Anyone experiencing these signs and symptoms should consult an allergist for diagnosis and treatment options.

• Sensitivities to certain foods are common. An estimated 6 million American youngsters suffer from food allergies. Some infants with severe food sensitivities may develop an allergy to the mother's diet if she is breastfeeding. Allergy testing is available for newborns. Possible alleviation for the baby if mom avoids certain meals. Peanuts and milk allergies are the most prevalent types in children, although other common allergens include eggs, fish, shellfish (crab, lobster, crayfish, and shrimp), soy, tree nuts (such as pecans, cashews, and walnuts), and wheat.

• Hypersensitivity is a potentially fatal reaction that can occur in a child with a food allergy. It can cause the child to have trouble breathing, their blood pressure to drop rapidly, and their body to go into shock.

Some tips to prevent seasonal allergy 

There are measures you may do to keep your allergies at bay even when pollen seems to be covering everything in its path:

• To prevent getting pollen in their eyes and nose, have your child wash their hands and face as soon as they come in from playing outside. Wipe them in the shower if you can.
• Keep an eye on the pollen prediction and cut back on outside activities if necessary.
• Wash and dry your clothes in the dryer. Pollen can stick to fabric, so don't dry your clothes outside.
• At night, before bed, give your kid a bath. If you suffer from allergies at night, this should help.
• Try to avoid letting outside air into your home or automobile by closing windows and turning on the air conditioner. The air conditioner should be set to the recirculate setting.

Conclusion

The pollutant in the air around us are the most common allergens in the winter. Because of the colder weather, more time is spent indoors, where these pests thrive. Let the best child specialist look up your kid's nose if you have any doubts about what's wrong.

FAQs

1. Are seasonal allergies typical throughout the winter months?

Despite the fact that seasonal allergies are often overlooked, many people nevertheless suffer from them during the winter. Nonetheless, it's essential to be aware that winter allergies are unique from other types of seasonal allergies.

2.How long does winter itch last?

This extremely unusual skin illness manifests itself after being exposed to cold in the form of swollen, itchy lumps known as hives. Some people are cold-sensitive and break out in hives when exposed to even somewhat cool air, while others experience it only after swimming in cold water. Although The rash disappears within two to four hours after being exposed to cold, and it is just brief.

3. Does cold weather aggravate allergies?

Although these allergens are always present indoors, so they may cause more trouble in the winter when you're stuck indoors with the windows shut. But when you turn on your home's furnace, so it may also be distributing harmful contaminants throughout the air.