Getting ahead of back-to-school allergies

August 10, 2026 - 18:05

As summer winds down and classrooms reopen, many families are already bracing for a familiar problem: the return of seasonal allergies. Cleveland Clinic allergist Dr. Sandra Hong notes that fall allergy season tends to kick off right around Labor Day, which means the timing lines up almost perfectly with the first days of school.

"Kids go back, and suddenly they are sniffling and sneezing," Dr. Hong says. The triggers are often the usual suspects: ragweed pollen, mold spores, and dust mites that collect in classrooms and on carpets. But there is also a less obvious factor. When children spend months at home in the summer, their immune systems may have had a break from constant exposure. Then, once they are packed into shared spaces again, the reaction can hit harder and faster.

Dr. Hong advises parents not to wait for symptoms to appear. If a child has a history of seasonal allergies, starting a daily antihistamine or a nasal steroid a week or two before school begins can make a big difference. She also suggests checking the local pollen count each morning and having kids change clothes and shower right after outdoor play. Keeping windows closed in the car and at home during peak pollen hours in the early morning and late afternoon helps too.

Another common mistake is confusing allergy symptoms with a cold. Allergies usually come with itchy eyes and a clear, runny nose, while a cold often brings a fever or body aches. If symptoms last longer than two weeks, it is likely allergies, not a virus. For severe cases, an allergist can run tests and recommend allergy shots or drops that build long-term tolerance.

The goal is simple: keep kids comfortable and focused in class, not drowsy or distracted by a constant drip. With a little planning, the fall semester does not have to be a season of tissue boxes and missed recess.