Can Allergies Cause Coughing in Kids?

Seasonal Allergies and Cough: What Ontario Parents Need to Know

Yes, seasonal allergies absolutely can cause a cough in your child. If your little one has been coughing for weeks without fever or other cold symptoms, especially during spring or fall, allergies might be the culprit. The good news is that allergy coughs are treatable and nothing to panic about.

What's going on?

When your child breathes in allergens like pollen, tree spores, or ragweed, their immune system goes into overdrive. It releases chemicals that cause inflammation in their nose, throat, and airways. This inflammation creates extra mucus that drips down the back of their throat, triggering that persistent cough.

Allergy coughs are super common in Ontario kids. Tree pollen hits hardest in spring, grass pollen peaks in early summer, and ragweed dominates late summer into fall. If your child's cough seems to follow this seasonal pattern, allergies are likely the cause.

Unlike coughs from colds or infections, allergy coughs can stick around for weeks or even months while allergens are in the air. They're often worse at certain times of day, like early morning when pollen counts are highest.

What you might notice

- Dry, persistent cough that doesn't produce much mucus

- Coughing that's worse outdoors or after being outside

- Runny or stuffy nose with clear mucus

- Itchy, watery eyes

- Sneezing fits

- Throat clearing or scratchy throat feeling

What helps at home

Keep windows closed during high pollen days and run your air conditioning instead. Check Environment Canada's air quality reports, which include pollen forecasts for your area. Have your child shower and change clothes after spending time outside, especially after playing in grass or near trees.

A cool mist humidifier in their bedroom can soothe irritated airways. Saline nose rinses or sprays help wash out allergens and reduce the post nasal drip that triggers coughing. You can find these at any Ontario pharmacy.

Over the counter children's antihistamines like cetirizine or loratadine can work wonders for allergy coughs. Follow the package directions for your child's age and weight.

When to worry

Head to the emergency room if your child has trouble breathing, wheezing that doesn't improve with treatment, or severe throat swelling.

Contact your doctor or text Arlo if the cough is keeping your child awake at night, if they're coughing up blood or thick colored mucus, or if over the counter treatments aren't helping after a week. We can help figure out if it's really allergies or something else that needs different treatment.

The takeaway

Seasonal allergy coughs are frustrating but totally manageable. With the right approach, your child can feel much better and get back to enjoying Ontario's beautiful outdoors.

You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!

References - [Allergies (Environmental) - Caring for Kids](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/allergiesenvironmental)

- [Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) - AboutKidsHealth](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=778&language=english)

- [Air Quality Health Index - Environment Canada](https://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/indexe.html)