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Hay is for Horses and Fevers! How to Diagnose if It’s A Hay Fever Or A Cold

2 minute read

As students head back to class, ragweed allergies are expected to flare. Hay fever symptoms can make it hard for a student to concentrate on class work. Unfortunately, it can also be difficult for parents to determine if a child has an allergy or a viral infection. Read below to help you diagnose if it is hay fever or cold.

Hay Fever or Cold?

Here Are Some Key Differences:

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), there are some clear signs that signal a child is having an allergic reaction and not suffering from a cold.

  1. While symptoms may be similar to colds, seasonal allergies usually last longer than two weeks and tend to occur at the same time each year.
  2. Dry, itchy skin or a rash is a common symptom with some allergens.
  3. If a child presents with a cough at night or when exercising, he or she may also be suffering from asthma.
  4. An allergy to food often presents with an itching or tingling in the mouth, throat or ears. Parents should make sure school nurses and teachers know if a child has food allergies. AAP recommends staying up-to-date on lunchroom menus and packing a kid’s meal when necessary.

Study-up on Ragweed Allergy Treatments before Sending Kids Back to School

If a student shows signs of asthma or allergies around the same time he or she heads back to school, it’s possible that ragweed is the culprit. However, AAP recommends that parents visit an allergist to identify exactly what it is their future honor student is allergic to. The organization explains that an important step in reducing symptoms is simply avoiding the trigger. However, it’s very hard to avoid ragweed because it grows throughout the country and easily makes its way indoors.

For children with an allergy to pollen, dust, or other airborne particles, keeping irritants out of the house is essential. Whole-house air purifiers can trap pollen in a home’s indoor air, so kids can breathe easier while studying. Also trapped are viruses and bacteria, which kids are sure to bring into the house more often after they go back to school.

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