| Allergies and colds have many common symptoms, | | | | to, you can conduct some home experiments to figure |
| but since they have different treatments, it's important | | | | it out. Think about the possible allergens your child |
| to be able to tell the difference between the two. So if | | | | often comes into contact with and try decreasing or, |
| your kid has a stuffed up nose, other sinus congestion, | | | | ideally, completely removing it from their lives. Do this |
| watery eyes, and can't stop sneezing or coughing, | | | | one at a time with the different possible causes and |
| how do you know if it's allergies or just a cold? | | | | watch for a decrease in allergy symptoms. |
| *Symptoms* | | | | You can also decrease the amount of general |
| The Boys Town Asthma and Allergy Hospital lists the | | | | allergens in your home by simply vacuuming once a |
| following as an allergy-specific set of symptoms: | | | | week with a high quality vacuum, washing bed linens in |
| * Cold symptoms that last for more than two weeks | | | | hot water, washing your pets regularly and replacing |
| * Chronic cough | | | | furnace filters every couple of months. These are all |
| * Clear mucus (as opposed to yellow or green) | | | | basic home cleaning practices that will help keep your |
| * Stuffy nose and congestion | | | | house free of various bacteria and dust that often |
| * Red, itchy eyes | | | | cause allergic reactions. |
| * Dark circles under eyes | | | | *Allergist* |
| These symptoms, all at once, indicate an allergy to a | | | | If you can't figure it out on your own or if your child |
| food, animal, mold, or medication rather than a common | | | | needs immediate relief, go to an allergy specialist. |
| cold. Allergies are often accompanied by digestive | | | | Allergists have tests they can run to determine pretty |
| problems and skin irritations, as well, and usually make | | | | much any allergy out there and are sure to track |
| people more susceptible to ear infections and asthma. | | | | down what is affecting your child. Your appointment |
| The most significant thing to pay attention to is | | | | will be most effective if you think ahead of time about |
| duration. Children can suffer from untreated allergies | | | | when your child's symptoms are most severe, when |
| for years because their parents just assume it's a cold | | | | they first appeared, what tends to relieve them, and |
| and don't take note of how long it's lasted. The cold | | | | what allergens he may be coming in contact with |
| virus usually settles down after a week, so if your kid | | | | regularly. |
| is still sick after 7-10 days, she's probably suffering | | | | It's useful to keep a diary of symptoms over a few |
| from allergies. Some allergies do last for short periods | | | | days or a week to accurately track what is happening |
| of time, though, so also note the time of year when | | | | for your child. Whether you home test or see a health |
| diagnosing your kid. Short bouts of watery eyes, | | | | practitioner, this will be valuable information for them in |
| congestion and sneezing are common in the spring | | | | helping to diagnose your child correctly. Taking the time |
| because of the pollen-filled air. | | | | to do this can prevent incorrect treatments being |
| *Home Testing* | | | | recommended for your child and increase their overall |
| To further determine what exactly your child is allergic | | | | wellbeing. |