How to know if your child is suffering from allergies or has a cold
'There are three different types of pollen mainly—tree pollen, grass pollen, and weed pollen,' Dr. Khan explains. 'Each of them have different times of the year that they peak, but right now, it's tree pollen season. That green and yellow dust you see on the ground and on your car. That's all tree pollen, and it's what triggers allergies and causes kids to have symptoms.'
Free summer events and camps for kids in Shreveport-Bossier
But how can you tell the difference between allergies and the common cold? Dr. Khan says it comes down to how your child is feeling overall.
'From a cold standpoint, those kids are typically going to be down for a day or two,' he says. 'They will be having fever, they might complain of some earache, and they might not be eating until they're full.'
So, if your child has a fever or isn't eating well, something more serious could be going on, and it's time to call your pediatrician. But if you suspect allergies, Dr. Khan recommends seeing an allergy specialist.
'When they come, we want to know what they're allergic to in their environment so we can educate them about preventative measures,' he says. 'It opens up the option of what we call allergy shots. That's kind of the long-term cure for these allergies.'
Loyola College Prep senior receives school's highest honor
In the short term, over-the-counter medications can help relieve symptoms. Dr. Khan suggests using Benadryl before bed and Zyrtec during the day. He also recommends bathing your kids after they spend time outdoors to wash away any lingering pollen and reduce discomfort.
Despite the allergy season being in full swing, Dr. Khan encourages parents to let their kids continue enjoying outdoor play.
'We never limit the kids from playing outside,' he says. 'They're kids, they're supposed to play. There's a hygiene hypothesis that says the reason allergies have gone up is because kids don't play outside anymore. They stay indoors, and their bodies don't learn how to respond.'
With a solid plan and proper care, Dr. Khan says kids can still embrace the joys of Spring, without all the sniffles.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
Woman Leaves US Due to Severe Allergies—Shock at What She Can Eat in Europe
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. "I didn't want to leave behind my entire life in the U.S., but I didn't feel like I had a choice," Bee told Newsweek, after allergic reactions meant she was only able to eat three foods. Previously, Bee, who doesn't wish to disclose her full name, could eat anything without concern. But in recent years, her body began to reject different foods, starting with gluten, dairy, coffee, certain vegetables, and then various types of berries. Every week it seemed like she developed a new allergy, and she couldn't fathom why. By 2024, she was only able to eat broccoli, coconut, and some chicken. It became "quite depressing" to stick to these three ingredients for every single meal. "I break out in hives, or a red rash or flushing that covers my chest and face," Bee said. "The rash is also hot and itchy. I'd have difficulty breathing, stabbing pain in my abdomen, migraines, tinnitus, joint pain, brain fog, congestion, and heard my heartbeat in my head." Bee with a rash on her neck and chest after eating in the US, compared to no rash in Europe. Bee with a rash on her neck and chest after eating in the US, compared to no rash in Europe. @bee70654 / TikTok Bee had to ensure she had an EpiPen, inhaler, Benadryl (and oddly enough, baking soda) on hand at all times in case she suffered a reaction. She couldn't take it any longer, and in November 2024, she left the U.S. and moved to Europe for a fresh start. (She doesn't wish to name the country publicly due to safety reasons.) "I had to, I felt like my body was slowly shutting down from lack of nutrition because my diet was so limited," she said. The first time Bee tried eating something that she's normally allergic to was purely by accident. She'd ordered a broccoli dish (of course) and discovered that it was cooked in a tomato sauce—one of her biggest triggers. She braced for a reaction, only for nothing to happen and no symptoms to arise. After that, she gradually expanded her reach and sampled other foods that would normally cause her an array of symptoms. To her amazement, she hasn't had a single reaction since leaving the U.S. Bee said: "I started with gluten, dairy, then moved onto fruits and vegetables. I was always safe about it—never doing it alone, knowing where the closest hospital was, having my meds on hand. After dozens of trials, I just kept getting the same results. "I almost didn't believe it at first and was pretty shocked. I knew that there was just something different about American food that I couldn't explain." Bee tested the limits of her allergies under the guidance of a doctor and doesn't encourage anyone to try this without seeking medical advice. After doing tests with her doctor, Bee learned that she has high levels of the mycotoxins Ochratoxin A, Trichothecenes, Aflatoxins, Gliotoxin, and Zearalenone. These are toxic substances produced by molds which can contaminate certain agricultural products. She was also diagnosed with a gene that impacts how efficiently her body can process mold-related toxins. Bee eating shrimp for the first time in years and not experiencing a reaction. Bee eating shrimp for the first time in years and not experiencing a reaction. @bee70654 / TikTok As Bee puts it, it's not the food she's allergic to, but the mold instead. "Over time, my body couldn't handle it because of my genetic factors. My doctor also thinks that preservatives and additives could have also been contributing to the histamine reactions because my body had such high levels of mold, so it was more sensitive," Bee told Newsweek. The EU and U.S. have different regulations when it comes to mycotoxins in food. The EU tends to be stricter and allows lower limits of toxins, while the maximum limits are often higher in the U.S. Aflatoxin M1 can be found in milk, and the U.S. allows a maximum of 500 nanograms per kilogram, in contrast to the EU which permits a limit of 50 nanograms per kilogram. Dr. Saira Q. Zafar, a board-certified allergist and immunologist at Schweiger Dermatology and Allergy, told Newsweek that Bee's experience is "not entirely surprising" since certain artificial dyes, preservatives, and pesticide residues that are banned or tightly regulated in the EU are allowed in the U.S. In some cases, what may seem like an allergy may in fact be a sensitivity to additives or contaminants, including pesticides or mycotoxins. Zafar said: "Histamine intolerance—where the body reacts to histamine-rich or histamine-releasing foods like shellfish, aged cheese, or fermented products—can cause symptoms like rashes, flushing, or gastrointestinal upset. These may mimic an allergy but stem from impaired histamine breakdown. "If U.S. food production and storage methods lead to higher histamine or mold byproducts, it's conceivable that moving to a country with stricter regulations and fresher, less processed food could reduce symptoms." However, Bee's experience is anecdotal and it's important to stress the difference between that and a confirmed food allergy. Some food reactions may not be true allergies, but could relate to environmental exposures, microbiome changes, or chemical sensitivity, Zafar noted. After relocating, Bee started documenting her experiences of trying foods that once gave her allergic reactions on TikTok (@bee70654). The videos have captured plenty of attention online, with one even amassing over 1.8 million views and 188,000 likes at the time of writing. Bee can eat everything now in Europe, much to her delight. She's missed bread and dairy the most, and she cannot get enough of being able to eat them without fear. When she's returned to the U.S., the "food makes [her] sick" and she develops histamine reactions once more. "People shouldn't have to uproot their entire lives just to eat. I was disappointed to discover that the U.S. allows higher levels (or has no limits) mycotoxins in food," Bee said. "It's a relief to learn that my allergies were related to Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, which was triggered by mycotoxins and mold. I know there are people with real food allergies who don't have the privilege of eating foods abroad, or the privilege of uprooting their lives the way I did." Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Let us know via health@ We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
CNN
a day ago
- CNN
Common allergy medication's risks outweigh its usefulness, experts say
Prescription drugsFacebookTweetLink Follow Dr. Anna Wolfson says she sees dangerous misuse of the allergy medication diphenhydramine in her clinic every day. 'If someone has an allergic reaction to a food, people will say, 'Don't worry, I have diphenhydramine in my purse,' and I would say, 'Really, epinephrine is the first-line treatment for food allergies,'' said Wolfson, an allergist at Massachusetts General Hospital. Diphenhydramine can be harmful if people take it after having an allergic reaction to food, she said, because the drug – best known by the brand name Benadryl – makes them drowsy and can cause them to miss signs that their symptoms are getting worse. 'It's time to move on. For every single indication that people are using diphenhydramine, there are better drugs that are more effective at treating the symptoms people are trying to treat with fewer side effects,' she said. 'I've had patients where I worried that diphenhydramine was impairing their ability to drive or fully participate in their daily lives.' Wolfson isn't alone in preferring alternatives. In a review published in February, allergy experts from Johns Hopkins University and the University of California, San Diego called for the removal of diphenhydramine from over-the-counter and prescription markets in the United States, saying it's outdated, dangerous and eclipsed by safer alternatives. A first-generation antihistamine approved in 1946, diphenhydramine is widely used for allergies, sleep aid and cold symptoms. It's a common over-the-counter medication in the US, with usage rising in the summer months as people use it to treat itching from bug bites or poison ivy, as well as sneezing and runny nose caused by grass and pollen allergies, according to the American Pharmacists Association. Despite its longstanding presence in American homes, the authors of the new review say it poses disproportionate risks, especially for children and older adults, than newer antihistamines. 'Patients should trial alternatives agents like loratadine, which is Claritin, or cetirizine, which is Zyrtec, or fexofenadine, which is Allegra,' to alleviate allergy symptoms, Dr. James Clark of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the lead author of the paper, told CNN. The Consumer Healthcare Products Association, which represents the OTC medicine industry, says that common side effects associated with products containing diphenhydramine are disclosed on the label. However, it notes, 'these products are not intended for long-term use.' 'When used as directed, these medicines provide well-established therapeutic benefits for common health ailments like allergies, the common cold, motion sickness, minor skin irritations, and occasional sleeplessness,' the group said in a statement on behalf of Benadryl's maker, Kenvue. 'Like all medicines, responsible use is essential, and consumers should always follow directions and warnings on the Drug Facts labels and consult healthcare providers if they have questions.' Antihistamines work by blocking receptors called H1, part of the body's system for responding to allergens, which trigger symptoms like sneezing, itching and a runny nose. But older drugs like diphenhydramine don't just block the allergy-related receptors, they can also affect other parts of the brain. Diphenhydramine often causes sedation, cognitive impairment, and in some cases, dangerous cardiac effects, the authors wrote. In older adults, the drug can stay in the body for up to 18 hours, resulting in lingering sleepiness, disorientation and increasing risk of falling. The review also highlighted a possible link between long-term diphenhydramine use and dementia. In children, the risks can be even more pronounced. The review's authors cite cases of accidental overdose; paradoxical reactions such as agitation, extreme sedation and coma; and even death, particularly with pediatric formulations, because of accidental ingestions. The medication was linked to several child hospitalizations and fatalities during the viral 'Benadryl Challenge' on TikTok. Dr. Manuela Murray, director of general pediatrics and urgent care at the University of Texas Medical Branch, says diphenhydramine 'should not be used lightly.' 'It should always be used under the guidance of a Medical Professional, and it is only indicated to treat allergic reactions and motion sickness,' Murray wrote in an email. The medication is often misused and 'doesn't offer a benefit for treatment of cold symptoms, and it is not a safe sleep aid medication,' she said. In fact, it can have the opposite effects in children, leading to hyperactivity. Dr. Alyssa Kuban, a pediatrician and associate medical director at Texas Children's Pediatrics, also said that she finds diphenhydramine overused for symptoms it does not directly treat and that there are safer alternatives. 'I see some families use diphenhydramine when the child has a cold or upper respiratory infection, thinking it will help with the congestion and help them to sleep better at night,' she said. 'This is not effective for cold symptoms, nor is it very safe.' She recommends over-the-counter cetirizine to treat children with hives, seasonal allergies or an itchy rash. Cetirizine is also longer-lasting and not as sedating as diphenhydramine, she says. Murray agrees that loratadine and cetirizine are safer for children over 6 months, and saline drops and suctioning are better alternatives for infants. Diphenhydramine appears in over 300 OTC formulations, often blended into combination products for coughs, colds and flu. The authors of the review say that, like products with pseudoephedrine, diphenhydramine should at minimum be moved behind the counter, allowing pharmacists to guide patients toward second-generation alternatives. The American Pharmacists Association says patients should use caution with combination cough and cold products that contain diphenhydramine. Pharmacists may recommend alternative medications for older adults who have a history of being cognitively affected by certain medications, the group says, and it 'encourages patients and parents/caregivers to ask their pharmacist for the most appropriate treatment recommendation for their symptoms' with the least amount of side effects. The review authors also emphasize that there is no strong clinical data that may suggest that diphenhydramine works better than other options. Although it may reduce symptoms like sneezing and itching, it has minimal effect on nasal congestion and doesn't outperform second-generation drugs in randomized trials. Newer options, such as oral cetirizine, offer 24-hour coverage with fewer adverse events. However, in the US, the medication remains a staple. According to the review, more than 1.5 million prescriptions are still written annually, not counting untracked OTC purchases. 'In the past, it has been a useful medication that has helped millions of patients; however, its current therapeutic ratio is matched or exceeded by second-generation antihistamines, especially due to their markedly reduced adverse reactions. It is time to say a final goodbye to diphenhydramine, a public health hazard,' the authors wrote.
UPI
2 days ago
- UPI
Your heart could be aging faster than you are
The research team theorizes that telling folks their heart age might help spur them to healthier lifestyles and treatment. Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay July 31 (UPI) -- Researchers who have developed a new "heart age" calculator say many Americans have unhealthy hearts that are physiologically older than their chronological age, with men faring worse than women. The research team theorizes that telling folks their heart age might help spur them to healthier lifestyles and treatment. "Many people who should be on medicine to lower their risk for heart attack, stroke or heart failure are not on these medications," explained study senior author Dr. Sadiya Khan in a news release. "We hope this new heart age calculator will help support discussions about prevention and ultimately improve health for all people." The new heart age calculator, which is free to the public, is available online. Study findings were published Wednesday in JAMA Cardiology. Khan, a professor of cardiovascular epidemiology, and her colleagues at Northwestern University in Chicago, note that the calculator is based on the American Heart Association's PREVENT equations, which talk about a patient's heart risk in terms of percentages. For example, a doctor might use the equation to tell a patient, "8 out 10 people with your [cardiovascular] profile may have a heart event in the next 10 years." Khan's group hoped that expressing the heart's condition as an age might be easier for folks to grasp. To test the new heart age tool, they applied it to data on 14,000 nationally representative U.S. adults, ages 30 to 79, who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2011 and 2020. None of the participants had any prior history heart disease at the time of the analysis. In most cases, people's heart age was older than the number of candles on their birthday cake. For example, over the whole cohort, women had an average heart age of 55.4 years, compared to an average chronological age of 51.3, the study found. The news was worse for men: Their average heart age was 56.7, compared to an average chronological age of 49.7. Certain demographic factors were in play, Khan's group noted. Among men, for example, nearly a third of those who had achieved a high school education or less had a heart age that was 10 years or more older than their chronological age, the study found. For men and women alike, being Black or Hispanic also tended to widen the gap between heart age and chronological age. "Black men had a heart age 8.5 years older than their actual age, compared to 7.9 years for Hispanic men, 6.7 years for Asian men and 6.4 years for white men," a Northwestern University news release said. "The gaps were 6.2 years for Black women, 4.8 years for Hispanic women, 3.7 years for white women and 2.8 years for Asian women." The key to shrinking these health gaps is prevention, Khan said. She hopes the new tool can help motivate people. "We hope this tool helps doctors and patients discuss risk for heart disease more effectively so we can better inform what therapies can prevent heart attacks, stroke or heart failure events from ever happening," Khan said in the news release. "The important thing is that we have very good options available in our toolbox to help slow that aging down if we can identify it," she added. "This may be even more important in younger people who don't often think about their risk for heart disease." More information Find out more about keeping your heart healthy at the American Heart Association. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
