Allergies and asthma are two common pediatric conditions. In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that “just over one-quarter of children in the United States had at least one allergic condition.”
Each condition can affect a child’s airways and cause similar symptoms, which can make it hard to tell whether your child has allergies, asthma or both.
Asthma Symptoms in Children
Asthma is an inflammation and swelling of the bronchial tubes that carry air to your lungs. Symptoms of asthma include:
- Wheezing
- Coughing (especially with physical activity or at nighttime)
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Feeling a tightness in the chest
Having asthma can be very disruptive to a child’s life, causing them to miss school and making activities like joining a sports team or even playing with their friends at Hazel Parker Playground more difficult.
Allergy Symptoms in Children
Pediatric allergies occur when a child’s body mistakes a harmless substance (such as pollen, grass or mold) for something harmful. Their immune system mounts a response to coming into contact with their allergen, and this response triggers their allergy symptoms.
Common allergy symptoms include:
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Dry cough
Do Allergies Cause Asthma in Children?
Allergies do not cause a child to develop asthma, and vice versa. However, children who have asthma can have their asthma symptoms triggered when they experience an allergic reaction.
Children who have allergic asthma will experience wheezing and other symptoms when exposed to allergens. If they are affected by seasonal allergies, they may experience more asthma symptoms in the spring or fall.
However, other non-allergen triggers can also bring on asthma symptoms in children, including exercise, smoke exposure, cold weather or a respiratory infection.
See a Doctor to Find Out What’s Causing Your Child’s Symptoms
If you’re not sure what is causing your child’s symptoms, contact their pediatrician or reach out directly to an allergy and asthma specialist to help determine an official diagnosis.
Before the appointment, it can be helpful to write down your child’s symptoms, as well as how frequently they occur and if anything seems to trigger them. At the appointment, your doctor will ask additional questions about your child’s symptoms as well as their personal and family medical history.
From there, they may recommend further testing, including allergy testing, as well as develop a treatment plan to help manage your child’s symptoms.
To learn more about allergies and asthma in children or to schedule an appointment with one of our pediatric specialists, call Charleston ENT & Allergy today.