Vicenza ES Newsletter

"Cougar Cub” Families!

Am I sick, or do I have allergies?

Symptoms for allergies and an illness such as a cold or a sinus infection often start out the same — nasal congestion, headaches, and sniffles. So how do you know if your child is suffering from allergies versus an illness? 

Itchy eyes and/or watery eyes.

Pollens and dander release histamines, which cause inflammation, which can affect the blood vessels in your eyes, making them feel itchy and irritated.

Symptoms on a regular basis.

Do you get the sniffles each March/April/May? Watery eyes and/or sneezing for weeks in March or April? Because allergies are often caused by environmental factors, such as tree or weed pollens in the air, you will likely experience symptoms around the same time each year. Try tracking your allergies so you can identify which pollens might be causing your symptoms. If you know that this week, for instance, ragweed pollens will be high, you can proactively manage symptoms.

You don’t develop new symptoms.

If you have allergies, you will likely experience the same symptoms for several days. With a cold or other illness, symptoms can develop — you might have a runny nose one day, which turns into a sore throat and cough the next.

Three steps for seasonal allergy relief in ADULTS:

If you are experiencing a runny nose, nasal congestion or pressure headaches from seasonal pollens or pet dander, try these steps:

1. Take an over-the-counter antihistamine, such as Zyrtec, Allegra or Claritin, or a generic version. Consider taking it before bed, as these can make you feel drowsy. An antihistamine blocks chemicals that cause inflammation in the body.
2. Switch to another medication if you aren’t seeing results after a week or two. Each of these antihistamines has a different active ingredient, so it may take time to find the one that works best for your allergies. 

Common Allergy Signs in Children

Children with severe seasonal allergies often exhibit specific behaviors: 

• Allergic Shiners: Dark, puffy circles under the eyes caused by restricted blood flow in the nasal passages.
• The "Allergic Salute": Wiggling the nose side-to-side or pushing the nose upward constantly to relieve itching and clear congestion. 

 Why the distinction matters

Allergies are an immune system reaction to pollen and are not contagious. A virus is a contagious infection. If you suspect allergies, over-the-counter antihistamines and saline nasal drops often provide relief.

Key Symptoms Checklist

To figure out if your child is sick or battling spring pollen, compare their symptoms to this breakdown: 

Allergies are an immune system reaction to pollen and are not contagious. A virus is a contagious infection. If you suspect allergies, over-the-counter antihistamines and saline nasal drops often provide relief. 

When to call a pediatrician

If your child's symptoms overlap or you are uncertain, it is always safest to consult your doctor. You can verify child-specific guidance and symptom comparisons using the HealthyChildren.org Symptom Checker or contact your health care provider.