Seasonal allergies are one of the most common reasons families visit us this time of year.

At KidsWatch in Falls Church, we’re seeing more children come in with sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, and symptoms that seem to linger longer than expected.

For many parents, it can feel confusing.
Symptoms come and go, don’t fully resolve, and often look like a cold.

To help you better understand what’s going on, here are five things many parents don’t realize about kids’ seasonal allergies.

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1. Allergies can trigger asthma symptoms

If your child has asthma—or even a history of wheezing—seasonal allergies can make symptoms worse.

Pollen and other environmental triggers can irritate the airways, leading to:

• Persistent coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath

This is especially common during spring when pollen levels are high.

That’s why breathing symptoms may seem more noticeable during allergy season—and why early management matters.

2. Waiting for symptoms to start can make them harder to control

Many allergy treatments work best when started early.

If your child has a pattern of seasonal allergies each year, beginning treatment before symptoms peak can help reduce how severe they become.

By the time symptoms are in full swing, it can take longer to get them under control.

3. Not all “natural remedies” are effective

You may have heard that local honey can help prevent allergies.

While honey can soothe a cough (for children over 1 year old), there’s no strong evidence that it treats or prevents seasonal allergies.

It’s fine as a comfort measure—but shouldn’t replace appropriate treatment if your child is uncomfortable.

4. Pollen counts don’t always match your child’s symptoms

Checking pollen levels can be helpful—but it doesn’t tell the full story.

Different children react to different allergens, including:

• Tree pollen
• Grass pollen
• Weed pollen

Some kids may have strong symptoms even when overall pollen counts seem moderate.

That’s why patterns—like symptoms worsening after outdoor play—can be more useful than numbers alone.

5. There are more treatment options than you might think

For children with ongoing or more severe symptoms, there are options beyond basic over-the-counter medications.

These may include:

• Targeted allergy treatments
• Age-appropriate medications
• Symptom-specific care plans

The right approach depends on your child’s age, symptoms, and how often symptoms occur.

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What This Means for Parents

If your child’s symptoms are lingering, worsening, or not improving as expected—you’re not alone.

We’re seeing a lot of this right now.

Sometimes it’s straightforward seasonal allergies.
Other times, symptoms overlap with colds or even asthma.

Either way, getting clarity helps you take the right next step—and helps your child feel better sooner.

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Allergy Care at KidsWatch

At KidsWatch, we provide both pediatric primary care and urgent care, so you don’t have to guess where to go.

We help:

• Identify whether symptoms are allergies, a cold, or something else
• Recommend age-appropriate treatments
• Monitor patterns over time—not just treat one visit

We also offer telehealth visits, so you can start from home if you’re not sure your child needs to come in.

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Seasonal allergies can be frustrating—especially when symptoms don’t go away as expected.

If you’re unsure what’s normal or what to do next, it’s always okay to have your child evaluated.