Jennifer Dantzer, MD, provides seasonal allergy insights

In a recent interview with Contemporary Pediatrics, Jennifer Dantzer, MD, pediatric allergist and immunologist at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, addressed key questions surrounding pediatric seasonal allergies, emphasizing the complex interplay of environmental and genetic factors, evolving climate influences, and practical considerations for diagnosis and management.

Dantzer explained that the reasons some children develop allergies while others do not are not completely understood. Genetic predisposition and environmental exposures both play roles, but no single factor can fully explain susceptibility. Ongoing birth cohort studies aim to clarify these interactions, particularly why allergies may affect 1 child in a family but not another. Similar uncertainty exists across allergy types, including environmental and food allergies.

Climate change is increasingly shaping allergy patterns. Rising global temperatures are contributing to longer, more intense pollen seasons, with earlier onset and longer duration. Higher temperatures also promote increased pollen production, leading to greater allergen exposure. As a result, pediatricians may need to adjust anticipatory guidance, advising families to begin allergy medications earlier in the season and continue them longer than in the past. While avoidance strategies remain important, options for controlling environmental pollen exposure are limited.

Tree pollen is identified as the primary trigger of spring allergies in children, though specific allergens vary by geographic region. Regional plant diversity and climate influence both the type of pollen and the timing of exposure. Seasonal differences across hemispheres and climates further affect when allergens are present, underscoring the importance of tailoring management strategies to local conditions.

Distinguishing seasonal allergies from viral respiratory infections can be challenging, especially during peak seasons when symptoms overlap. Both conditions may present with nasal congestion and rhinorrhea. However, certain features favor allergies, including prominent itching—particularly of the eyes—and symptom patterns linked to outdoor exposure. Fever, in contrast, suggests an infectious cause. Age is also an important consideration; very young infants are less likely to have developed environmental allergies, making infection a more likely diagnosis in that group.

Regarding management, Dantzer highlighted that many cases can be effectively treated with OTC medications under pediatric guidance. Referral to an allergist is appropriate when symptoms are persistent or poorly controlled, or when families need additional support in navigating treatment options.

Allergy testing can help identify specific triggers, guide avoidance strategies, and refine treatment plans. Specialists can also provide education on proper medication use, including which therapies require consistent use vs as-needed administration, helping optimize symptom control and improve quality of life.

No relevant disclosures.

Reference

Allergies are springing up — Johns Hopkins Children’s Center expert available for interviews on helping kids cope. Johns Hopkins Medicine. March 23, 2026. Accessed April 17, 2026. https://www.newswise.com/articles/allergies-are-springing-up-johns-hopkins-children-s-center-experts-available-for-interviews-on-helping-kids-cope