Allergy seasons worsen for kids across U.S. [Video]

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — As allergy seasons worsen due to climate change, children in the U.S. are becoming more susceptible. According to the CDC, about one in five children across the country between ages of 0 and 17 deal with seasonal allergies.

And experts stress those numbers will likely increase.

“We estimate about 35,000 to 60,000 visits happen for children for things like allergic asthma,” said Dr. Anisha Patel, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford Children’s Health. “But we expect that to increase by 4,000 per year because of climate change worsening allergy seasons.”

With rapidly developing immune systems, or faster breathing rates, Patel claims there are a couple reasons why kids are more susceptible to allergic reactions. But the simplest reason is that kids are outside more — kids being kids.

“We know that younger kids in particular, their airways are smaller,” Patel said. “That small amount of inflammation in that small air way could put …