My daughter is 4 and has been on Zyrtec since she was 6 months old. We live in OK so it's no surprise she has environmental allergies. She recently started Pre K and since then she has been sick 3 times. One was confirmed allergy related and one was a bad cold. Now she is coughing and her nose is running AGAIN. Is there a way to tell the difference in cold and allergy symptoms?
Is her mucus clear or yellow/green? Fever or no fever? Coughing or very congested (chest congestion) cough? Clear discharge and no fever with no other symptoms besides a cough would indicated allergy related. Colored mucus, fever, and congested cough probably means she is sick.
If it's not responding to Zyrtec, it's a cold.
Fever present? Cold.
5 fingered/palm nose swipe salute? Allergy.
Once sneeze at a time? Cold
Rapid sneezes? Allergy.
If her allergy symptoms are usually conrolled by Zyrtec, then it's probably a cold. Also, was she at home before starting PreK or daycare? Most kids go through multiple colds back to back within the first few months of starting daycare/school. As their immune systems gets stronger with additional contact with other kids/germs, the frequency of colds diminishes.
It's all about the snot color. If it's green then it's more than likely a cold. Clear, allergies.
check for mold in the classroom.....that was the culprit with my son!
Sorry if I'm being redundant to other posts...but yea...our ped and allergist both have said that if a 'cold' lasts longer then 7 days it's prob not a cold. My son gets chronic sinus infections, (he's 2 /1/2)-that's his reaction to his allergies, so as soon as a 'cold' is running long, the snot is think and way gross and he's super congested I call the dr.
Have you taken her to an allergist? If not-there are presc meds that work better then OTC - plus they'll test for all things and determine what she is really allergic too.
It is no fun for anyone that's for certain! Good luck.
A cold... will progress and more symptom will present itself. And then in 7-10 days, it will end. This is a typical cold.
An allergy... will be watery eyes, sneezing, clear nose mucous... and will 'stop' if given kids Zyrtec or kids Claritin.
If symptoms still occur, even with Zyrtec, it is a cold.
Or, the Zyrtec does not work for her.... and so try another kids' allergy med, like Claritin.
For allergy meds... not all will work for everyone. For me, Claritin works, but it does not work for my Mom. So she takes Zyrtec. For me, Zyrtec does not work, and Claritin does.
I ONLY take the allergy meds, IF I get allergy symptoms.... ie: watery eyes, itchiness in my nose, sneezing, itchy eyes. I don't need to take Claritin everyday. I am allergic to any dust or pollen or things in the air, or days it is windy.
Kids in school, get sick a lot in the beginning.
If your child is coughing... and congested, this is typically a cold.
I would think if she's on allergy medication and still having the symptoms, then it's a cold. You may want to switch medications to see if maybe she built up an immunity to Zyrtec (if that is even possible!).
