Hay fever in children

Hay fever in children

Ever wondered if your child has hay fever? Maybe you’ve noticed your little one sneezing a lot and you’re always having to wipe their runny nose. Or it could go the other way; they get blocked up and it’s a struggle to help them blow their nose.

Pollen allergy isn’t just for grown-ups. Hay fever in kids is common too. Millions of children worldwide have it. Climate change is already making pollen seasons both longer and more intense. That makes hay fever a hot topic for the next generation too.

When your little one is affected, you’ll want to know as much as possible about the common hay fever triggers as well as the signs and symptoms. Read on to find out how to spot hay fever in children and for tips on what to do next.

What is hay fever in kids?

Plants release pollen. Your child breathes it in and their immune system mistakes the particles for dangerous intruders, triggering an allergic reaction. Their body releases a substance called histamine, which makes the lining of their nose swell up. It also causes a runny nose, itchy eyes and other symptoms of hay fever.

Young girl playing in a field and sneezing into the crook of her arm. She’s picking flowering grass stems and has hay fever

When your little one is affected, you’ll want to know as much as possible about the common hay fever triggers as well as the signs and symptoms. Read on to find out how to spot hay fever in children and for tips on what to do next.

What is hay fever in kids?

Plants release pollen. Your child breathes it in and their immune system mistakes the particles for dangerous intruders, triggering an allergic reaction. Their body releases a substance called histamine, which makes the lining of their nose swell up. It also causes a runny nose, itchy eyes and other symptoms of hay fever.

Boy in a striped t-shirt gazing glumly out of the window, chin in his hands. He’s got hay fever and the pollen count is high

When do children get hay fever?

Common causes of hay fever are tree, grass and weed pollen. Pollen is part of the reproductive cycle of these plants which is tied to the seasons. Typically the fine powdery dust is only in the air from early spring, through summer and into fall. The precise timing of the pollen seasons depends on the type of plant and on where you live.

Hay fever or pollen allergy is also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis. It comes and goes. If your child has the same hay fever-like symptoms all year round, it could be a different allergy – maybe to house dust mites or animal dander. That’s also called perennial allergic rhinitis.

How do I know if my child has hay fever?

Hay fever can range from mild to severe and may even develop into allergic asthma if left untreated. These are some of the signs and symptoms to look out for:

Hay fever or pollen allergy is also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis. It comes and goes. If your child has the same hay fever-like symptoms all year round, it could be a different allergy – maybe to house dust mites or animal dander. That’s also called perennial allergic rhinitis.

How do I know if my child has hay fever?

Hay fever can range from mild to severe and may even develop into allergic asthma if left untreated. These are some of the signs and symptoms to look out for:

  • Stuffy nose. Your child might snore. Eating with their mouth closed could be a challenge if they can’t breathe through their nose.
  • Runny nose. Children do get snotty noses but it may happen to your child more often and come on suddenly.
  • Sneezing. Your baby’s first sneeze may seem cute; sneezing constantly is one of several hay fever symptoms in toddlers.
  • Sore eyes. Your child’s eyes may be red, itchy, swollen or weepy.
  • Tiredness. Hay fever may stop your child getting a good night’s sleep. They get overtired and this can lead to problems concentrating at school.
 Infographic describing 4 telltale signs of hay fever in children. Details of the infographic listed below

Itching could be a sign of hay fever rash in kids. They are more at risk of chronic urticaria (hives) if they react to pollen. Some plants’ pollen landing on skin can also cause a different kind of allergy called airborne contact dermatitis. Culprits behind this kind of rash include ragweed and mugwort.

 Infographic describing 4 telltale signs of hay fever in children. Details of the infographic listed below

Hay fever vs a cold

Hay fever in children may look a lot like a common cold. And young kids can have a lot of respiratory infections a year. So it may be tricky to tell if they’re having allergic reactions to tree pollen, for instance. But some of the symptoms are quite distinctive.

So what are the differences between the common cold and allergies? Thick yellowy-green mucus and fever are more likely to be a cold. The virus often builds over a couple of days and lasts less than 2 weeks. Clear watery mucus and itchy nose or eyes are typical of allergy. Hay fever symptoms can start quite suddenly and go on for as long as your child is exposed to their trigger, because pollen season can last for many weeks.

What’s the impact of hay fever on kids’ daily lives?

You’ll know how foggy your brain can feel when you don’t get enough sleep. That could happen night after night during pollen season. When kids have hay fever, they often perform less well in cognitive tests. Also, taking allergy medication for a runny nose, sneezing and so on makes kids more likely to drop a grade in exams taken in pollen season compared to at other times of year.

It’s not only about kids’ education either. During pollen season they may have to stay indoors when their friends are outdoors playing sport, or just playing. This can isolate them from their peers and deprive them of activities they love. Some children even have to avoid certain fresh fruit and vegetables if eating them causes a mild local reaction.

A tingly mouth can be a sign of hay fever

There are some surprising symptoms connected with hay fever. Maybe your child has complained about an itchy, tingly mouth when they’re biting into a crunchy apple. It’s called oral allergy syndrome (OAS) or pollen food syndrome (PFS).

Infographic about the impact of hay fever on children. Details of the infographic listed below

It’s not only about kids’ education either. During pollen season they may have to stay indoors when their friends are outdoors playing sport, or just playing. This can isolate them from their peers and deprive them of activities they love. Some children even have to avoid certain fresh fruit and vegetables if eating them causes a mild local reaction.

A tingly mouth can be a sign of hay fever

There are some surprising symptoms connected with hay fever. Maybe your child has complained about an itchy, tingly mouth when they’re biting into a crunchy apple. It’s called oral allergy syndrome (OAS) or pollen food syndrome (PFS).

Certain proteins in fruits and vegetables are similar in structure to proteins in some pollen. This confuses the immune system into reacting. Always speak with your doctor about your child’s symptoms. They could also be signs of food allergies.

Hay fever and food: Some common cross-reactions

Alder

Apple | cherry | peach | pear | parsley | celery | almond | hazelnut

Ash

Pineapple | horseradish

Birch

Apple | apricot | cherry | peach | pear | plum | carrot | celery | parsley | peanut | soybean | almond | hazelnut

Juniper

Apple | banana | tomato

Timothy and orchard grass

Peach | watermelon | orange | tomato | white potato

Ragweed

Cantaloupe and honeydew melon | watermelon | banana | cucumber | white potato | zucchini | sunflower seeds

Mugwort

Bell pepper | broccoli | cabbage | cauliflower | chard | garlic | onion | parsley | aniseed | caraway | coriander | fennel | black pepper

Do babies and toddlers get pollen allergy?

It’s rare for hay fever to start before the age of two. Usually, the earliest a child can get symptoms is as a toddler. They need to have lived through at least two pollen seasons for their immune system to react to it.

Children are more likely to get hay fever if they have food allergy and eczema as babies. Kids with hay fever are then at higher risk of developing allergic asthma. This interconnection of symptoms is called the atopic or allergic march.

An early diagnosis is the first step in managing hay fever. So if you notice any seasonal allergy symptoms in toddlers or older kids, book an appointment with your doctor and ask for a referral to see an allergist.

Child in a white coat playing at being a doctor – they’re using a stethoscope to examine their teddy bear
Child in a white coat playing at being a doctor – they’re using a stethoscope to examine their teddy bear

Find an allergist

Need to take your little one to see a specialist? We can help you find one so you can ask your doctor for a referral.

Diagnosing hay fever in children

Skin prick tests and allergy blood tests are common and show what children could be allergic to. They need expert interpretation, alongside symptoms and medical history, to make an allergy diagnosis.

It’s a good idea to track your child’s symptoms and the effect on their day-to-day activities in preparation for the clinic appointment. Your doctor will probably ask if you or other members of your family have hay fever too. Allergy can be hereditary.

How to manage your child’s hay fever

Finding out that your child has hay fever opens a whole new range of questions. How can I help my child? What’s the right medicine? Your doctor will work with you to find the right treatment plan for your child. It’s likely to start with avoiding their trigger.

Hay fever in children: 7 practical tips for parents

Try to limit your child’s exposure to pollen. Here are some ideas for you to try:

  • Use a pollen calendar and pollen forecast. Plan outings for when your local pollen count is lower. Our app can give you accurate forecasts and you can also use it to track your child’s hay fever.
  • Get your child to wear a hat and sunglasses. This helps shield their eyes from pollen.
  • Keep windows and doors closed. If you need to open them, do it when the pollen count is low. Installing air conditioning at home or special air purifiers can help too.
  • Wash your child’s hair. This gets rid of pollen so do it often, especially before bed.
  • Keep bedrooms pollen-free. Get your child to take off the clothes they were wearing during the day outside their bedroom.
  • Don’t dry laundry outside. Use a tumble dryer or hang your washing up indoors.
  • Go on holiday! Head for the seaside during the worst periods if you can; pollen counts are usually lower there.
Five kids in shorts running across the grass in a park. They all have backpacks with them
  • Get your child to wear a hat and sunglasses. This helps shield their eyes from pollen.
  • Keep windows and doors closed. If you need to open them, do it when the pollen count is low. Installing air conditioning at home or special air purifiers can help too.
  • Wash your child’s hair. This gets rid of pollen so do it often, especially before bed.
  • Keep bedrooms pollen-free. Get your child to take off the clothes they were wearing during the day outside their bedroom.
  • Don’t dry laundry outside. Use a tumble dryer or hang your washing up indoors.
  • Go on holiday! Head for the seaside during the worst periods if you can; pollen counts are usually lower there.

Short-term allergy medicine

There are antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays that kids can use, depending on their age. These allergy medicines for children can often help to relieve symptoms and control nasal inflammation. You may be able to find the right one over the counter at the pharmacy. But always ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before giving your child any medication.

A child-friendly saline nasal spray can flush pollen out of your child’s nose and help clear away mucus. They seem to help regular allergy medications work better to. You could try saline eye drops, or artificial tears, if itchy eyes are bothering your child.

A child-friendly saline nasal spray can flush pollen out of your child’s nose and help clear away mucus. They seem to help regular allergy medications work better to. You could try saline eye drops, or artificial tears, if itchy eyes are bothering your child.

Long-term relief for hay fever with allergy immunotherapy

Symptomatic allergy medicines may not be enough to deal with your child’s hay fever symptoms. Allergy immunotherapy could then be an option. This treatment works with your child’s immune system tackling the underlying cause of hay fever. The aim is to train your child’s body not to overreact. Building up tolerance with controlled, repeated doses of their allergic trigger can ease symptoms during and after treatment.

The treatment typically takes 3 to 5 years and is available for some pollen allergies as sublingual tablets (SLIT) that dissolve under the tongue or injections (SCIT) also called allergy shots. Children usually need to be 5 years old.

The treatment typically takes 3 to 5 years and is available for some pollen allergies as sublingual tablets (SLIT) that dissolve under the tongue or injections (SCIT) also called allergy shots. Children usually need to be 5 years old.

The short version

Hay fever affects millions of children around the world. It’s an allergic reaction to tree, grass or weed pollen causing symptoms such as a blocked nose, or one that’s runny for weeks, and itchy eyes. Hay fever is also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis as it’s bound to the pollen seasons. That is, mainly from spring through to summer and fall.

Children with food allergy and eczema are more at risk of developing hay fever. It doesn’t normally show itself before 2 years old. The symptoms can affect your child’s health now and in the longer-term, their education and happiness. Getting a diagnosis from your doctor is crucial so that your child can get the treatment they need.

Ready to kick butt?

Your child doesn’t have to put up with hay fever, not with you on their side. You’re their superhero. And we’re here to help. Send us an email if there’s anything we didn’t mention or that you’d like to know more about – anything at all. You’ll also find klarify on Facebook and Instagram.

klarify takes allergy science and makes it simple, and we have rigorous process for doing this. We use up-to-date and authoritative sources of information. Medical experts review our content before we share it with you. They and the klarify editorial team strive to be accurate, thorough, clear and objective at all times. Our editorial policy explains exactly how we do this. 

Last medically reviewed on 29 August 2023

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