Winter can be a one-two punch for people with sensitive immune systems. Extended time spent indoors can lead to increased exposure to indoor allergens like dust mites, while illnesses like the cold, flu and pneumonia also become more common this time of year. It can be difficult for parents to determine whether their child’s allergies are flaring up or if they’re actually sick.
We spoke with Dr. Merritt Fajt, an allergist and immunologist at UPMC, headquartered in Pittsburgh, about key differences between allergy and illness symptoms.
Allergies:
- Itchy throat
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Itchy ears
- Dry cough
- Symptoms persist for several weeks
Illness:
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Wet cough
- Muscle pains
- Symptoms persist for several days
Both:
- Tiredness
- Runny nose
- Stuffy nose
- Sneezing
Fajt also notes that there are many things parents can do to decrease their children’s allergy symptoms in their own home.
“A dehumidifier can actually increase the levels of dust mites in a home, which people don’t realize,” she explains. “Some simple things that can be done for dust mite prevention include washing your sheets weekly in warm water, limiting vacuuming and limiting exposure to items like stuffed animals, which could carry dust mites. If pet allergies are a problem, you should try to keep your pet out of the bedroom and off of the bed.”
