NEWBORN ALLERGY
Dear Dr.Bear,
Do infants react to pollen in the air like adults? How would I be able to tell the difference between a runny nose (she may have picked up at daycare) and an allergic reaction? My husband and I (for the first time) are experiencing stuff/runny noses do to all the blooming this time of year.
Sincerely,
Pollen Curious
Dear Pollen Curious,
Pollen can irritate the nares (nose mucosa) but usually pollen allergies do not occur until infants have lived thru a complete season (e.g. if born before ragweed this year, it will be next year’s ragweed which would cause the reaction). Foods are more common a reactant and dust can be a good irritant. I hope that helps.
Sincerely,
Dr. Bear
