The Importance Of Diagnosing Your Kids Allergies
The first step to correctly using allergy medication is to get an expert diagnosis. Self-diagnosing your childs allergies could lead to treating the wrong condition or using the wrong medication. Its best not to risk it.
If you think your child is showing signs of pediatric allergies, schedule an appointment with a top allergist near you. This doctor will diagnose your kids symptoms and create a care plan, which will include clear directions about which medications are best for your childs situation.
Getting a proper diagnosis and care plan from an allergist is the surest way to keep your child safe from medication risks.
What Are Examples Of Allergens
Possible allergens include food, drugs, insects, animal dander, dust mites, mold, and pollen. Allergens can cause respiratory symptoms, as in nasal allergies or allergic rhinitis, skin symptoms like eczema, or intestinal problems from food allergies, for example.
Babies and toddlers are unlikely to have hay fever. Seasonal allergies to things such as pollen and grass usually don’t rear their ugly head until a child is about 3 to 4 years old. That’s because the exposure to each type of pollen is for only a few weeks each year.
What To Ask A Healthcare Provider
Parents should ask their childs healthcare provider the following questions about a childs allergies and medication, advises Jones:
- How much allergy medication should my child take?
- What kind of medication would work best in this situation?
- What should I know about this medications frequency, timing, side effects, and cost?
- What ingredients should my child avoid and how can I read nutrition labels?
- Should my child avoid any medications or vaccines?
- What about allergy treatments like allergy shots for insect stings or peanuts?
Any allergy that affects a childs breathing is an emergency, says Dr. Jones. Its possible to have a local reaction to a bee sting that may itch, swell up, turn red, and last for days, but if it doesnt migrate to other parts of the body, its not an emergency. However, if your child is stung and immediately has itching, redness, or swelling away from the sting, its important to watch what happens.
If swelling in other areas occurs, then that sting should be considered life-threatening, urges Dr. Jones. You should call 911. These symptoms could signify anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that often requires the administration of epinephrine, a drug used to treat allergic reactions in an emergency setting.
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Seasonal And Indoor Allergies In Infants
Seasonal and indoor allergies in infants are usually less severe and easier to care for, and they can be detected by the presence of the most common signs of allergies.
One of the first things you can do to alleviate your infants seasonal or indoor allergies, before trying a baby allergy medicine, is to remove the allergen. This might include removing fresh flowers or plants from your home, keeping windows closed during allergy season, keeping your home exceptionally clean, switching to a new perfume or fragranced beauty product, cleaning dust-attractant pillows or blankets, or investigating the possibility of mold or mildew in your home.
What Kind Of Allergy Medicine Is Best For Your Baby
Allergies can be a complete pain. No one wants to deal with itchy and watery eyes, a runny nose, or an irritated throat. This is even more true when it comes to your baby, who cant understand whats happening and why they feel the way they do. The scary situation is difficult for them to relay to you, and you just want to help your baby get relief. Allergy medicine is usually an essential item for your infant they are commonly kept in first-aid kits alongside over-the-counter medicines. But should you really get allergy medicine for your child?
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Can I Give My Child Allergy Medicines
Over-the-counter treatments such as saline sprays, nasal steroid sprays and antihistamines can work for children, but Dr. Hong recommends that parents talk to their pediatrician about the different medications and proper dosing. Its also important to be on the lookout for how allergy medications make children feel.
Monitor whether medications make them sleepy, Dr. Hong suggests. Some liquids or pills can cause sleepiness, so you want to make sure that you either dose them at night or choose one thats a little bit better for your child during the day so theyre not drowsy.
If your child is having allergy symptoms all of the time, Dr. Hong advises being proactive and seeking medical treatment so they can focus on school instead of their runny nose and sneezing all day long.
No One Can Stop Plants From Blooming Throughout The Seasons But We Rounded Up Medications That Will Help Sniffling Kids Feel Better Today Tomorrow And For The Long Haul Check Out The Best Seasonal Allergy Treatments For Every Child
Seasonal allergies happen when the body perceives certain outside elements as a threat, and the immune system releases antibodies and histamine in response. The main triggers are pollen from trees in the spring, grasses in the summer, and weeds in the fallalthough mold can also trigger allergies throughout the year.
Allergy symptoms may include sneezing, runny nose with clear mucus, itchy and watery eyes, nasal congestion, sinus pressure, scratchy throat, and itchy nose and ears. Unlike the common cold, which lasts seven to 10 days, seasonal allergies may stick around for weeks or months at a time, says Fuad Baroody, M.D., director of pediatric otolaryngology at the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Untreated allergy symptoms can negatively affect a kid’s life. For example, congestion might lead to “fatigue, poor concentration in school, and learning problems because kids won’t be sleeping well at night,” says Todd Mahr, M.D., Director of Pediatric Allergy/Asthma/Immunology at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He adds that constant nose-blowing and congestion may cause social tension, shyness, or teasing.
What’s more, “because children’s bones and teeth are still developing, chronic mouth breathing can cause teeth to come in at an improper angle,” says Dr. Mahr. “Kids who have allergies are also more likely to have ear infections and sinus infections.” Allergies can also worsen asthma in kids who suffer from it.
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How To Choose The Best Children’s Allergy Relief
Chewables, liquids, and nasal sprays, oh my! When it comes to choosing the right allergy medicine for kids, the allergy aisle can make your head spin. We know, weve been there. Luckily, relief doesnt have to come in the form of a riddle. Weve decoded and demystified the allergy aisle for you, arming you with the information you need to make a confident decision in choosing the best allergy relief for your kids.
Talk To Your Doctor About Benadryl And Alternatives
Its always a good idea to consult your childs doctor before giving an antihistamine. Your childs doctor may give you the green light to go ahead and try a dose of Childrens Benadryl if your child develops an allergic reaction to something. But its also possible that your childs doctor will ask you to steer clear of this particular medication.
If your child does have seasonal allergies, your doctor might also talk to you about trying another type of that they can take on an ongoing basis. Benadryl is really designed for short-term use.
Depending on your childs age, weight, and allergies, possible options might include:
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Can Infants Take Allergy Medication
Raleigh Capitol Ear, Nose and ThroatAllergies, Allergy Skin Testing, Pediatric ENT Services
Adults arent the only ones who suffer with sneezes and watery eyes during allergy season. In fact, roughly 8.4 percent of children are diagnosed each year with the symptoms known as hay fever , according to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.
Children frequently experience the same allergy problems as adultsmany of our patients are children. However, there are several safety issues that must be considered before administering any type of allergy medicine to younger children, particularly to infants.
How Can I Protect My Child From Allergens
Here are the best ways to reduce your child’s exposure to the most common allergens:
Dust mitesDust mites live in fabrics and carpets and are common in every room of the house. But children are usually exposed to the most dust mites in the bedroom, where mattresses and pillows are veritable dust-mite condominiums.
The following steps may seem like a lot of work, but they really help.
“Parents who take these steps might expect a 60 to 70 percent rate of improvement in their child’s allergies,” says Virant, “and this should markedly cut down the level of medication needed for the problem.”
Pet danderIf your child is allergic to a pet, the only foolproof solution is to give the animal away. That’s not an easy decision to make, of course, and, understandably, you’ll want to consider it only as a last resort.
To keep the dander down, wash your pet frequently. You can find shampoos that reduce dander in the pet store. Also keep your pet off the furniture and out of your child’s room.
PollenDuring allergy season it can be close to impossible to avoid airborne pollens. You can try to keep your child indoors with the windows closed during the height of pollen season, particularly on windy days, but this may be unrealistic.
If your child does go outdoors, make sure you bathe her and wash her hair each night to remove any airborne allergens. Dry her clothes in the dryer rather than on the clothesline, and close the air ducts to her bedroom.
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What Is Benadryl Used For
Benadryl is readily available as an over the counter medication, used mostly to relieve the symptoms of allergies including watery and red eyes, itchiness, sneezes, and runny noses. Benadryl is the brand name for the drugdiphenhydramine. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine, a type of receptor antagonist drug used to treat symptoms of seasonal allergies, environmental or contact allergies, hay fever, and is even used in many cold medicines.
Benadryl comes in many forms and at different dosages for both adults and children. It is often in solid pill form , liquid-filled gel capsules, liquid suspension, chewable tablets, dissolving tablets, dissolving strips, and powder. There are also dye-free varieties for people who may have sensitivities.
In children, Benadryl should generally only be used to treat allergic reactions under the advice of a pediatrician. Alternative treatments should be discussed for its other uses. And as we will discuss later, Benadryl should only be given to older children and can be unsafe for the very young.
How To Tell If Your Child Has Allergies
First, ask yourself if these symptoms appear at certain times of the year. This is often the first clue that your childs problems are allergy-related.
The most common childhood allergy is allergic rhinitis, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Symptoms include:
Our experts at Raleigh Capitol ENT can help your child manage allergy symptoms
If your child or infant struggles with allergies, the best course of action is to schedule an appointment with us today. We specialize in helping pediatric patients, and well be able to prescribe a course of treatment that is both safe and effective.
We would consider allergy testing and treating with SLIT around age 5 and above.
Most importantly, we want you to ask questions. We consider ourselves a partner in your care, and we want your children to have a healthy life with as few allergic discomforts as possible. We are here to answer any concerns you may have about treatment plans or ways you can help your child. Schedule an appointment with us today.
Raleigh Capitol Ear, Nose, and Throat is the areas premiere physician-owned ENT practice with seven convenient locations throughout Wake County. Our board-certified physicians have extensive experience in treating both common and complex cases to help adults and children alike. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Allergy Facts. Online.
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Use Of Children’s Allergy Medicines
Overall, 55% of parents with children 6-12 years of age reported giving allergy medicine to their child within the past year. Of these parents, almost all gave these medicines to treat allergy symptoms, and around half gave them to prevent their child from having symptoms.
Most parents used allergy medicines labeled for children, but one in seven parents gave their child allergy medicine that was labeled for adults. Of those using the adult medications, one-third gave their child the dose recommended for adults and two-thirds gave a partial adult dose. Overall, 21% of parents reported that it was hard to figure out the right dose of allergy medicine for their child.
Parents frequently reported giving their child allergy medicines they already had in the house and also purchasing new medicines . About one in five parents did not check the expiration date for medicines they already had in the house before giving them to their child.
Parents most commonly received advice from their doctors office about which allergy medicine to give, but over a third got advice from a pharmacist. Fewer parents cited friends or family members as their source on which medicine to give. Only 21% of parents were aware that over-the counter-allergy medicines usually contain the same ingredients as cold medicines.
What Causes Seasonal Allergies In Kids
Allergy symptoms occur when your childs immune system reacts to an allergen such as dust, mold, or pollenas if its a bacteria or virus. Seasonal allergies occur only at certain times of the year, when the allergen that bothers your child is around. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, common seasonal allergy triggers include:
Though, there are many other plants that can cause allergy symptoms, along with year-round triggers such as pet dander, foods, dust mites, and air pollutants like smoke.
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How Can I Figure Out What My Child Is Allergic To
It takes some careful detective work and sometimes the help of medical tests to pinpoint the exact cause of an allergy. One clue may be when the allergy attacks occur.
Mold allergies usually develop during damp or rainy weather and can be hard to distinguish from colds. Dust mites or pet allergies often cause morning congestion throughout the year. Pollen-related allergies are more common in spring, summer, and fall.
Unfortunately, sending Fluffy away for a few days won’t tell you for sure whether your child has a pet allergy. Studies at Johns Hopkins University suggest it can take more than a year after a cat is no longer around for cat dander to degrade to the point that it doesn’t bother allergic people.
On the other hand, if you take your child away from your pet and she seems better, then you have a good but by no means conclusive clue. You’d also want to consider that your child might be allergic to something else in your house.
If your own sleuthing doesn’t give you the answer, it’s time to see the doctor. He’ll examine your child and ask lots of questions. If he believes the problem is allergies, he may refer you directly to an allergic specialist, or he may suggest a blood test to measure levels of IgE antibodies in your child’s blood.
Blood tests may be less accurate than skin tests. So if the blood test does suggest an allergy, the next step for your little sniffler may be a skin test. You’ll need to see an allergist for that.
Allergy Medications You Should Avoid
You should NOT give your toddler oral decongestants. These should NOT be used in children who are younger than 12. Examples include Sudafed and Afrin.
If your child is between the ages of 2 and 6, and OTC medications are not working within one to two weeks, please call our office to schedule an appointment.
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Allergic Reactions In Babies
The good news is, in general, infants arent prime candidates for seasonal allergies. Theyre more likely to experience food allergies or skin allergies. Allergies, just like asthma, are also most likely to appear around age 4 and are more likely if a parent has allergies or asthma.
Common signs of allergies in children are the same as those you might see in an adult:
- Either a runny or stuffy nose
- Inflamed, itchy, or rash-covered skin
- Ear infections or discomfort
If you suspect your child has severe allergies, youll want to speak to a pediatrician, especially if your child is below the age of 4.
Seasonal Allergy Medicines For Kids
To combat symptoms, most allergists recommend starting with the simplest over-the-counter treatment and adding more medications as needed. “We want to keep children on the lowest amount of medication possible to control symptoms so they have the least possible side effects,” says Edith Schussler, M.D., a pediatric allergist at Weill Cornell Medicine, in New York City. Check out the best types of allergy medicines on the market today.
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When To Call A Doctor
Not every sniffle or cough merits a trip to the doctors office. When in doubt, call your health care provider.
Some symptoms can signal that your child may have something more serious than a cold. For all children, call a doctor if you see any of these symptoms:
- A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in an infant 2 months or younger.
- A fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in children at any age.
- Labored breathing, including nostrils widening with each breath wheezing fast breathing the ribs showing with each breath or shortness of breath.
- Severe headache.
- Not eating or drinking, with signs of dehydration .
- Excessive crankiness or sleepiness.
- If the child is getting worse.
