How is allergic rhinitis different in children?

A child may have sneezing, an itchy or runny nose, watery eyes, mouth breathing or a cough linked to drainage from the nose. Repeated rubbing can irritate the skin around the nose. Nasal blockage may disturb sleep and leave a child tired or less attentive during the day. Symptoms can be seasonal, or continue around indoor triggers such as dust, mould or animal dander. These features can overlap with viral infections, so the pattern and duration matter.

Notice when symptoms start and where your child was spending time. Reduce exposure to a suspected trigger where practical, keep smoke away, and use saline rinsing only when suitable for the child’s age and ability. A clinician can check the nose, eyes and breathing and choose a child-appropriate antihistamine or nasal treatment if needed. Follow the product instructions carefully; some medicines are unsuitable for young children or can cause drowsiness.

Arrange medical advice if symptoms interfere with sleep, eating, school, exercise or hearing, or if treatment does not help. Seek urgent help for difficult or rapidly worsening breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, faintness, or a child who is unusually hard to wake. A wheeze or repeated night cough also deserves assessment because nasal allergy and asthma can occur together.

Ask which triggers fit your child’s symptom pattern, whether the symptoms could be asthma or an infection, which treatments match your child’s age, and how to use a nasal spray correctly. Ask how long to try the plan and what changes should prompt a review.