Though it can be dependent on where you live, pollen allergy is most common from early spring through to late summer and fall. For this reason, the typical symptoms are also called seasonal allergic rhinitis. If your child experiences allergy symptoms all year round they might be allergic to house dust mites or your pet. Then they may have what is known as perennial allergic rhinitis - perennial meaning all year.

Seasonal pollen allergies can already develop in toddlers and young children aged two to five years old. Symptoms of seasonal allergies for families and caregivers to look out for can include:

• Stuffy nose (nasal congestion) – this can make your child breathe with their mouth open
• Runny, itchy nose and sneezing – they might rub their nose and look like they’ve got a constant cold
• Itchy, watery eyes – they might rub their eyes a lot and blink
• Tiredness – hay fever might interrupt their sleep

Symptoms of pollen allergy can take a toll on your child's social life and their schoolwork. It might be difficult to join in outdoor activities with their friends and in school during the pollen season. Daytime allergy symptoms can be very distracting, and children may also feel tired because allergic rhinitis tends to disrupt sleep. You can see why hay fever could impact your child's performance at school.

Pollen that spreads with the wind and which children can breathe in is the problem. Waxy pollen from flowers such as roses don’t usually cause pollen allergies. Pollen from trees, grasses and weeds are the most common causes of hay fever. 

The tricky thing is that some pollen can cause cross-reactions potentially prolonging your child's personal allergy season. So if your child is allergic to birch, then it's possible that other types of trees such as alder and hazel may also make them sneeze. The same can happen with different types of grasses. The allergenic proteins in different pollen types can have a similar structure, so your child's immune system might react to them too.

Different pollen types flower at various times of the year. Trees usually start the allergy season in early spring, grasses dominate the summer months and weeds cause hay fever in the fall.

When dealing with your child's pollen allergy it's important to keep track of what pollen is in the air. Pollen forecasts and pollen calendars are useful tools here. Tracking your child's allergy symptoms throughout the pollen season can help your doctor figure out allergic triggers and what treatment options are most suitable for them.

Children with pollen allergy may also get an itchy mouth, lips and throat when they eat certain foods. Just as different types of pollen can have proteins with similar structures, so do some foods. This is called oral allergy syndrome (OAS) or pollen food syndrome (PFS).

Symptoms of oral allergy syndrome are usually not serious. However, if your child is reacting to foods, in particular to peanuts, soybeans, almonds or hazelnuts, it's important to see your doctor to find out if it's caused by a pollen allergy or might be a food allergy. Food allergies are common in children and can be life-threatening.

The aim of allergy immunotherapy is to help build up tolerance of an allergen. Repeated doses of pollen extract help accustom your child's immune system to their trigger. Retraining the immune system this way can reduce symptoms and the need for medication both during treatment and afterwards. The body needs some time to relearn and remember, so treatment usually takes about 3 years.

Allergy immunotherapy is available as tablets (SLIT) that dissolve under the tongue and injections also called allergy shots (SCIT) depending on the pollen type.

Pollen allergy gives children hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis. It usually starts after the age of two. Symptoms are like a cold but can go on for weeks and weeks. Trees mainly release their pollen in the spring, grass in summer and weeds in the fall. Children may react to one pollen or several. And certain foods could give them a tingly mouth and lips. That’s a cross-reaction called oral allergy syndrome (OAS).

Diagnosing pollen allergy in kids usually involves allergy testing combined with details of their symptoms, medical history and any allergy in your family as it’s often inherited.

Make sure your doctor understands the severity of your child’s symptoms are and the effect on their daily life. A clear description from you helps them work out the best treatment plan. Options range from saline eye drops and nasal sprays, to short-term allergy medications and possibly allergy immunotherapy.

Hay fever is no fun but knowing what sets it off means you can help your child get the treatment they need.

Last medically reviewed on 27 June 2023