Can Allergies Cause A Fever In A Child

Causes Of Allergy Symptoms

Your body responds too strongly to pollen produced by flowering plants. The pollen is the male reproductive cell of the plant. If you are not allergic, the pollen does not make you sick, but if you are allergic, your body mounts a defensive response.

Brightly colored flowers rarely produce allergy-causing pollens. The problem comes from plants that pollinate using the wind to spread each pollen cell. Large quantities of pollen can be spread on a windy day, sometimes as much as 20 miles.

The troublesome pollens come from junipers, pine trees, all grasses, several varieties of weed and many common deciduous trees those trees whose leaves mature and fall in the autumn.

• Your body responds too strongly to pollen produced by flowering plants.
• The troublesome pollens come from junipers, pine trees, all grasses, several varieties of weed and many common deciduous trees those trees whose leaves mature and fall in the autumn.

What Are Colds And Allergies

The common cold is a virus of the upper respiratory system which causes symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, sore throat, and general low-level feelings of unwellness. Typically, toddlers with a cold start to feel better within a couple of weeks.

Allergies are caused when your toddlers immune system overreacts to usually harmless elements, such as pollen, pet dander, mold, and insect bites. Allergy symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose, range from mild to life-threatening. Allergy symptoms usually continue until you remove the allergen or receive treatment.

Is There A Fever

Allergies can bring on sneezing, watery eyes, itchiness of the eyes, nose, and roof of the mouth, and sometimes a sore throat.

But âyou donât get fever with allergies,â even though they’re often called âhay fever,â says Marc McMorris, MD. He’s a pediatric allergist and immunologist with C.S. Mott Childrenâs Hospital.

âUsually, colds will come on gradually and you get runny nose, itchy eyes, and a low-grade fever .â

You May Like: What’s The Best Antihistamine For Allergies

Whats Up With Their Buddies

Your childâs friends could be a big clue. Have you noticed any of them sniffling lately? Kids tend to pass colds and other illnesses back and forth.

âMost parents know who their kids have been around. We know whatâs going through the community,â McMorris says.

If other children aren’t sick around your child, then you may have to think of other issues that might be causing their symptoms.

Can Allergies Cause Fever In Children

Q:Can allergies cause fever in children?

A:Can allergies cause a fever? Generally, no. Sometimes, however, allergy symptoms can make you vulnerable to a bacterial or viral infection. A bacterial or viral infection can lead to a fever, which you can indirectly blame on your allergy.

Some symptoms of an allergic reaction can cause mucus build up in different parts of the childâs body, leading to an infection. The most common secondary infections found in children with allergies are ear infections, sinus infections and bronchitis. Talk with a pediatrician to determine the cause of the fever.

Allergy Treatment

• A pediatrician will properly diagnose and recommend the most effective treatment.
• Prevent allergic reactions by identifying the allergens causing the reaction.
• Avoiding allergens and giving the child a daily antihistamine.

Fever Treatment

• Treat a fever resulting from allergies with a pain reliever/fever reducer.
• Do not use aspirin on children under the age of 18 years. Aspirin products may increase the childâs risk of developing Reyeâs Syndrome.
• Dressing the child in loose-fitting clothing, giving a warm bath and providing plenty of fluids.

Go to see a doctor immediately if a child with allergies shows the following signs: a fever over 105 degrees, constant crying, has a stiff neck, has difficulty waking up, develops purple spots or has difficulty breathing.

Keyword: can allergies cause fever children

You May Like: How To Treat An Allergy Headache

Can Allergies Cause A Low

Allergies happen when the body overreacts to a substance it considers harmful. As a result, the immune system produces antibodies and histamine to fight off the perceived invaders, causing an inflammatory reaction that makes you feel downright lousy.;

Even though seasonal allergies are sometimes called hay fever, they dont usually trigger a rise in temperature, says Natasha Burgert, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician for Pediatric Associates in Overland Park, Kansas. Fevers are more likely to be viral or bacterial in nature, adds Dr. Jain.;

Its important to note that your child’s immune system works overtime to fight off allergies, which increases their susceptibility to colds, sinus infections, or viruses. Your kid can definitely run a fever while suffering from allergies, but their high temperature wont actually be caused by the allergies.

• RELATED: The Best Allergy Medicines and Treatments for Kids

Can Allergies Cause Fever In Kids

While some symptoms of seasonal allergies, such as a runny nose and coughing, mimic those of a cold, fever doesnt occur in allergies. Allergies should never cause a fever in a patient, says Dr. Nick DeBlasio, a pediatrician and medical director of the Pediatric Primary Care Center at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati. If a child has a fever, they likely have either a viral or bacterial infection. I often use the presence of a fever as one way to distinguish between allergies and infection.

Its also important to keep in mind that babies dont typically suffer from hay fever so if theyre congested or generally feel unwell, its doubtful its related to allergies. Its rare for a child to suffer from seasonal allergies under age 2, notes DeBlasio. Unlike food allergies, which can develop any time during a childs first year, children need at least two seasons of exposure to the main culprit behind seasonal allergies pollen in order to have a negative reaction, according to Seattle Childrens Hospital.;

Don’t Miss: Is Palm Oil Safe For Peanut Allergy

Does My Child Have Allergies Or A Cold

With the weather changing this time of year, kids may have a multitude of cold-like symptoms. Both allergies and a cold can cause a runny nose and sneezing, so how can you tell what is causing your childs symptoms? Lets take a look at other common symptoms to help you differentiate:

Cold

• If your child has a fever, it is most likely a cold because allergies do not cause an elevated temperature.
• A sore throat is more common with a cold.
• A cold and its symptoms usually are worse during the first three to four days, but it usually runs its course in one to two weeks.

Allergies

• If your child has itching of the eyes, nose or skin, it is most likely allergies. A cold does not cause itching.
• Allergies usually cause symptoms that last for longer than two weeks.
• Allergy symptoms come in a predictable pattern. For example, if symptoms show up every spring or every summer, this typically indicates your child has allergies.

If you suspect your child has allergies, knowing what some of the common allergens are can help you identify what might be causing your childs symptoms. Indoor allergens include:

• Foods;
• Animals, such as cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, gerbils, guinea pigs and others;
• Clothing and toys, particularly ones made or trimmed with animal hair; and
• Latex or bacterial enzymes in items such as rubber gloves and balloons, elastics in clothes and cleaning products.

Outdoor allergens include:

Controlling exposure

Medications

Care Advice For Nose Allergies Or Hay Fever

You May Like: How Long Do Fall Allergies Last

What Kind Of Congestion Is It

• A runny or stuffy nose with thin, clear fluid, accompanied by sneezing are common symptoms of a cold.
• A clear runny or stuffy nose and sneezing can also be seen in environmental allergies, which often also cause an itchy nose and itchy, watery, red or swollen eyes.
• Thick, green nasal discharge and a cough are typically signs of a cold or other infection such as sinusitis.

Treating Common Colds In Children

• Use saline solution in the nose to loosen congestion and help children blow their noses. Or, suck out the congestion with a bulb syringe.
• Try certain home remedies to help relieve your child’s symptoms. For children over age 1 year, a spoonful of honey by mouth may help soothe a sore throat.
• Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen, as prescribed by your doctor, to treat aches, pain and fever.
• For children over age 2 years, you can use mentholated ointments;on top of the chest to soothe and calm coughs, especially nighttime coughs.
• For children over age 6 years, you can use a topical decongestant;such as nasal spray;to help relieve nasal congestion. If used, use at night for no more than 3 days in a row.
• Learn when to consult your physician if your young baby has common cold symptoms.

Keep in mind that oral cough and cold medications are not recommended for children under the age of 6 years. “Typically, I try to avoid oral cough and cold medications for children of any age,” says Dr. Lee. “They are not effective and can have potential side effects, such as elevated blood pressure.”

If your child’s cold and allergy symptoms last more than two weeks, consult your doctor.;If you are concerned your childs symptoms are COVID-19, you should also contact your childs pediatrician. Learn more about allergies vs. COVID-19.

Also Check: What Is The Best Vitamin For Allergies

What This Means For You

In order to reduce confusion about your child’s symptoms, work with your doctor, consider trends , and examine symptoms closely. Doing these things can help prevent your child from missing school unnecessarily.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.

Allergies In Children With Fever

A fever in a child with allergies is most likely the effect of a secondary infection. Allergies never cause a childs body temperature to rise, according to MayoClinic.com. Some symptoms of an allergic reaction can cause mucus build up in different parts of the childs body, leading to an infection. The most common secondary infections found in children with allergies are ear infections, sinus infections and bronchitis. Talk with a pediatrician to determine the cause of the fever.

Read Also: Can You Develop An Allergy To Alcohol

Is It A Cold Or An Allergy Should You Call Your Primary Care Provider

Your child has a runny nose and a headache. You are worried it might be more than just a cold, but youre not sure. How do you tell the difference between a cold, allergies and a chest infection? Should you call your primary care provider?

Juhee Lee, MD, an attending physician with the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia , offers guidance to parents on:

• Recognizing the symptoms of different conditions that cause nasal congestion
• When to call your primary care provider
• What specialists can help

Nose And Eye Allergies: Age Of Onset

• Seasonal pollen allergies usually begin at age 2 to 5 years.
• The symptoms peak in school age children, teens and young adults.
• Pollen symptoms are rare in children under age 2. They require at least 2 seasons of exposure to the pollen.
• Children under age 2 who have chronic nasal symptoms have other causes. Examples are recurrent colds, large adenoids or cow’s milk allergy.
• Food allergies can start during the first year of life, but not pollen allergies.

You May Like: Can Allergies Cause Eye Sensitivity To Light

Allergies Follow A Pattern And Symptoms Tend To Stick Around Longer

If you have allergies, your symptoms will flare up at certain times throughout the year when the allergens youre sensitive to are present. For example, if you have a tree pollen allergy, your symptoms will first appear in the early spring.

This also means that your symptoms can last for several weeks until that particular allergy season has ended. To put that into perspective, colds usually only last about a week.

Cold viruses are present all year, so you can catch one at any time. However, the winter cold season is when getting sick is more likely.

What Causes Seasonal Allergies In Babies And Toddlers

Seasonal allergy symptoms usually occur during spring, summer and fall. Depending on where you live, the seasons and specific plants causing allergies vary. Unfortunately, no region of the United States is completely untouched by allergy triggers.

When your little one inhales one of the following seasonal allergens, her immune system churns out antibodies that jumpstart the release of a protein called histamine, which causes allergy symptoms:

• Spring allergies :;Tree pollen. The most common culptrits cedar, birch, oak, maple and pine are found in most parts of the U.S. The farther south you live, the earlier the season usually starts.
• Late spring to summer allergies :;Grass pollen.;Grasses, including Bermuda, orchard, brome, rye and Timothy, are more likely to produce symptoms in late spring and early summer in the northern states, but are always problematic in the South, since grasses there pollinate year-round.
• Late summer to fall allergies : Weed pollen .;Ragweed grows in nearly every climate and is the biggest source of hay fever symptoms.

Read Also: How To Stop Sore Throat From Allergies

When To Call Your Primary Care Provider

If your child is 3 months old or younger, call your primary care provider whenever your child has nasal or chest congestion.

If your child is more than 4 months old, call your primary care provider if your child:

• Has had thick nasal discharge lasting more than 10 days
• Has a barking cough
• Coughs with exercise
• Has a wheezing cough
• Is coughing up thick greenish-yellow phlegm
• Has a fever that rises repeatedly to 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• Has a fever with temperature higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit for more than three days
• Has ear pain
• Has swelling or dark circles around the eyes
• Is having trouble sleeping
• Has symptoms of allergies that are interfering with daily activities and you want to know if a specialist might be able to help

Seek emergency care if your child:

• Is having trouble breathing or is taking short, rapid breaths
• Has bluish lips or fingernails

Treatments are different depending on the cause of the congestion. Your childs primary care provider can tell you what steps to take to relieve symptoms and help your child get better.

What’s The Difference Between A Cold And Allergies

When exposed to certain particles such as animal dander, pollen, trees and grasses children may have an allergic response. This occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens, triggering the release of histamine and other chemicals into the bloodstream.

This response causes common allergy symptoms, including:

• Itchy, watery eyes

• Fever, in some cases

Also Check: Can You Have An Allergy To Beans

Talk With A Doctor Or Clinician To Create A Personalized Treatment Plan

If you arent sure if its a cold or allergies, or if your symptoms are severe or long-lasting, its best to connect with a care provider to get an official diagnosis and treatment plan.

If your allergy symptoms are left untreated, you could become more prone to getting sinus infections or other upper respiratory infections, or may lead to poor asthma control.

Also, a common cold can turn severe. So, if your cold has had you laid up longer than a day or two, get in touch with your doctor.

You have a couple options:

Make an appointment for face-to-face care from a primary care doctor or clinician. Whether you choose a video visit or in-person appointment, your doctor will listen to your symptoms, answer questions and work with you to create a tailored treatment plan including connecting you with an allergist or an otolaryngologist if needed.

Start a virtual visit anytime, anyplace through Virtuwell.;With;Virtuwell, no appointment is necessary and treatment is available 24/7. Getting started is easy. Well ask you a few questions, and youll get your diagnosis and treatment plan from a board-certified nurse practitioner. Each visit is just $59 or less, depending on your insurance.