Ask Dr. Hirsch: Weekly Q&A with Dr. Shari Hirsch, Pediatrician and Lactation Specialist at Lev Pediatric Care

This Week’s Question:

“How can I tell if my child has spring allergies or just a cold?”

Dr. Hirsch’s Answer:

Every spring, the same question comes up. The weather warms, trees bloom, and suddenly your child has a runny nose, cough, and watery eyes. Is it a cold? Allergies? Something else?

The challenge is that symptoms overlap. But a few key differences can help guide you.

Why spring brings symptoms

In the spring, viruses are still circulating while pollen levels rise. That means children can have symptoms from a cold, allergies, or sometimes both at once.

Signs it may be allergies

Allergies happen when the immune system reacts to things like pollen. Symptoms often include a clear runny nose, frequent sneezing, itchy eyes or nose, watery eyes, and congestion without fever.

Symptoms tend to last for weeks and are often worse outdoors or on high-pollen days. Children with allergies usually feel well otherwise.

A common clue parents notice is that symptoms never fully go away.

Signs it is more likely a cold

Colds are caused by viruses and follow a more defined pattern. Symptoms may include runny or stuffy nose, cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue, and lower appetite.

Colds usually start suddenly, last about a week, and then improve. Fever and fatigue point more toward a cold than allergies.

The eye clue

Itchy eyes are a strong sign of allergies. Mild redness can happen with colds, but itching is much more typical of allergies.

Timing matters

If the same symptoms show up every spring, allergies are likely. If symptoms start after exposure to someone sick, it is more likely a cold. Symptoms that linger for weeks without fully improving often point to allergies.

Treatment is different

Colds are treated with rest, fluids, and time. Allergies may improve with antihistamines or nasal sprays when appropriate.

When to check in

Reach out if symptoms last longer than 10 to 14 days without improvement, fever persists, cough worsens, breathing seems difficult, or symptoms interfere with sleep or school.

Bottom line

Spring sniffles are very common and usually not serious. Whether it is a cold, allergies, or a mix of both, the goal is to keep your child comfortable and watch for changes.

If you are not sure, you are not alone. Sometimes it takes time to see the pattern.

Dr. Shari Hirsch, MD, specializes in infant feeding, including expert newborn support, lactation guidance, and frenotomy (tongue-tie release). She also offers emotional wellness care, with guidance and medication management for attention, mood, and anxiety support.

Lev Pediatric Care is located at Evergreen Uptown Mall in Pomona. Their hours are Sunday through Thursday, 10:00 am to 7:45 pm, and Friday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Same-day appointments are available. To schedule, call 845-579-5700. They also provide free car service to and from doctor visits.

Have a question for next week’s column? Send it to Lev Pediatric Care, and Dr. Hirsch may feature it in an upcoming Q&A