Kids' Allergies: When They Start, Symptoms, and Safe Relief

Seasonal allergies are the most common allergic condition among American children. In 2021, 18.9% of kids had one, ahead of eczema at 10.8% and food allergy at 5.8%, and 27.2% had at least one allergic condition (CDC).

These allergies are uncommon in the first couple of years and climb with age: about 8.5% of preschoolers, 20% of elementary kids, and 36.3% of teens. Doctors call the sequence eczema, food allergy, then seasonal allergies the allergic march.

Seasonal allergy climbs with age

The allergic march: hay fever is uncommon in preschoolers and rises sharply through the school years.

Preschool8.5%

CDC/NCHS — seasonal allergy prevalence

Elementary20%

CDC/NCHS — seasonal allergy prevalence

Teen36.3%

CDC/NCHS — seasonal allergy prevalence

Share of children with seasonal allergy, by age band. Source: CDC/NCHS 2021.

When kids' allergies start

Seasonal allergies are rare before age 2 and become more common through the school years, rising from about 8.5% in preschool to 36.3% by the teen years. Many children follow the allergic march: eczema and food allergy in infancy, which often ease by ages 3 to 5, can give way to allergic rhinitis and asthma. This sequence is not universal, but a baby with eczema is more likely to develop hay fever later.

Symptoms parents miss

Children do not always say their nose is itchy, so signs can be subtle. Watch for allergic shiners, the dark circles under the eyes, the allergic salute of rubbing the nose upward with the palm, and a horizontal crease across the lower nose. Mouth breathing, snoring, and an open-mouth posture are common too, and chronic untreated congestion can even affect how the teeth and face grow. A child who seems to have a months-long cold every spring is usually dealing with allergies.

Safe treatments for kids

Second-generation, non-drowsy antihistamines are the usual starting point, and intranasal corticosteroid sprays are the most effective class, with several approved for children as young as 2. For longer-term relief, sublingual immunotherapy tablets are FDA-approved from age 5 for grass and ragweed, and the dust-mite tablet from age 12. A pediatrician or allergist can match the option to the child's age and symptoms.

When to see a pediatric allergist

See an allergist when over-the-counter medicines and avoidance are not enough, when symptoms are severe or last for months, or when allergies disrupt sleep, school, or a child's breathing. Testing can pinpoint the triggers, and a roughly three-year course of immunotherapy can not only ease symptoms but may lower the chance a child goes on to develop asthma. Early treatment also protects sleep and school performance, since poorly controlled allergies are a common hidden cause of daytime fatigue and trouble concentrating in class.

Allergic conditions in U.S. children

27.2%

have at least one allergic condition

CDC/NCHS 2021

18.9%

have seasonal allergy / hay fever

CDC/NCHS 2021

10.8%

have eczema

CDC/NCHS 2021

5.8%

have a food allergy

CDC/NCHS 2021

The pollen calendar to plan around

Knowing your child's trigger season lets you start relief before symptoms flare.

JFMAMJJASOND
TreeMar–May
GrassMay–Jul
RagweedAug–Oct
Tree, grass, and ragweed shading is Weather Story’s deterministic seasonal-estimate model (regional AAFA/ACAAI season windows; see methodology), not measured pollen counts. Darker = higher typical intensity.

Check your local pollen forecast

Pollen seasons vary sharply by region. These metros see some of the worst pollen pressure — check the current forecast for each, or look up any US city on the pollen count hub:

Frequently asked

How common are seasonal allergies in children?
Very common. In 2021, 18.9% of US children had a seasonal allergy — the most common allergic condition in kids, ahead of eczema (10.8%) and food allergy (5.8%).
At what age do kids' allergies start?
They are rare before age 2 and increase with school age — from about 8.5% of preschoolers to 20% of elementary kids and 36.3% of teens.
What is the allergic march?
A common sequence where eczema and food allergy in infancy, which often ease by ages 3 to 5, give way to allergic rhinitis and asthma. Not every child follows it, but the pattern is well documented.
What symptoms should parents watch for?
Allergic shiners under the eyes, the nasal salute of rubbing the nose upward, a crease across the lower nose, plus mouth breathing and snoring. Children often will not describe the itch themselves.
Which allergy medicines are safe for kids?
Second-generation antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroid sprays, with several approved from age 2. Sublingual immunotherapy tablets are FDA-approved from age 5 for grass and ragweed.
When should a child see an allergist?
When over-the-counter medicines and avoidance fail, when symptoms are severe or last months, or when allergies disrupt sleep, school, or breathing. Testing pinpoints the triggers.

More pollen & allergy guides