Cold or Allergy?
Is It Itchy?
On the other hand, allergies usually bring on an itch. The throat, nose and even skin typically itch with an allergy, Laubach adds. So if your child is fine at home but walks outside and starts itching? Ding-ding-ding! It’s probably an allergy.
Look for Clues
However, allergies and colds respond to different treatments. Antihistamines (Claritin, etc.) will take down the swelling caused by a respiratory allergy, but will do little to relieve the symptoms of a cold.
“If my patients are unsure (about which they have), I tell them to try an antihistamine,” says Laubach.
How Old Is the Patient?
Because respiratory allergies are triggered by repeated exposure, children don’t typically develop seasonal allergies until they’re school age. “A recurrent runny nose in a baby or toddler is most likely a virus or infection,” Laubach says.
What Color Is the Mucus?
If you’re lucky enough to get a close look at the mucus, an allergy will usually produce clear stuff. Mucus from infections is either white, green or yellow.
What Is the Time of Day?
When does the sneezing and nose-blowing occur? If it’s when you go outside or in nature, it’s probably an allergy. Does your child wake up in the morning, blow his nose like crazy and then he’s fine until bedtime, when it kicks in again? This could be an allergy to dust mites, which live in the bedding.
What are the Social Exposures?
Did your child just start day care, preschool or kindergarten? And are there several runny noses?
