Medicine As Treatment For Allergy
For children who have allergies, there are many effective medicines. These are the most often used types. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against some over-the-counter medicines for babies and young children. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider before giving your child any over-the-counter medicines.
How Pregnancy Can Affect Allergies
If youve already noticed that youre more bothered by allergies, youre not alone. Studies suggest that allergy symptoms increase for 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women. But allergies are also unpredictable. Some women find no change while others say theyre less affected when pregnant, and still others develop allergies for the first time.
Though having allergies can be difficult for you, the allergies themselves dont seem to affect your baby directly. What you take for them, however, could pass to him or her in the womb. The problem is that it’s not entirely clear which drugs do this, making it hard to know whats truly safe, according to research in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Also, few studies have looked at the best ways to treat allergies in pregnant women.
Is It Really Allergies
Rhinitis is inflammation of the mucous membranes in your nose. It’s usually caused by allergies or a viral illness like the common cold.
But it can also strike when you’re pregnantâand it has nothing to do with allergies or acute illness.
Research shows this pregnancy rhinitis affects between 20% and 40% of pregnancies. Symptoms include:
- Nasal congestion
Researchers suspect hormonal changes in pregnancy make some mucus-producing glands more active.
Also, your blood volume increases during pregnancy. That means blood vessels widen and take up more space. In a tight space like nasal passages, this can lead to allergy-like symptoms.
A healthcare provider uses the following criteria to diagnose pregnancy rhinitis:
- Symptoms are present during the last six or more weeks of pregnancy
- There are no signs of a respiratory tract infection
- There is no known allergic cause
- Symptoms disappear in the two weeks after delivery
If you have rhinitis symptoms but antihistamines aren’t helping, this may be why. Talk to your healthcare provider about the possibility of pregnancy rhinitis.
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Different Types Of Allergy Medicine
OTC allergy medications use a variety of methods to fight symptoms. Three of the most common OTC allergy medication types are:
- Corticosteroids: This type of OTC allergy medicine works by preventing swelling and inflammation. Its applied via nasal spray, treating nasal allergies. Corticosteroids are Dr. Passers preferred format of OTC allergy medicationwhile they mainly help with congestion and post nasal drainage, they can also help with itching and sneezing, she says. These work by soothing the sensitive tissue in your sinuses by coating them with the best anti-inflammatory medication, says Dr. Passer.Therefore, when you are exposed to allergens, those tissues remain calm, cool and collected and dont have the over-exaggerated response of swelling and producing lots of mucus. Indeed, one study confirms corticosteroids are superior to antihistamines when it comes to treating allergies. In the study, 88 patients with ragweed allergies received either a corticosteroid or an antihistamine. After four weeks, the steroid nasal spray group reported far fewer allergy symptoms than the antihistamine groupSteroids More Effective Than Antihistamines When Used As Needed For Allergies. University Of Chicago Medical Center. Accessed 05/13/2021. .
Is Benadryl Safe For Infants
Most people, whether they have children or not, are familiar with Benadryl and its use as an over the counter allergy medicine. However, if you are a parent, you might have questions about when it is appropriate to give your child Benadryl and if Benadryl is safe for infants. As with any over the counter medication, you should consult a medical professional before giving it to your child for the first time, even if its something as common as Benadryl. Lets take a look at what this medication is used for and whether or not Benadryl is safe for infants.
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Soothing Baby’s Allergy Symptoms
If your baby has been suffering from allergies, you’ll want to relieve his symptoms and minimize the chances of their recurring by making changes in his environment. Usual treatments for allergies include:
- Skin moisturizers or 1 percent hydrocortisone cream for eczema and other allergic rashes
- Oral antihistamines, like Benadryl, for rapid relief of an older baby’s symptoms
There’s good news for infants suffering from allergies. The Food and Drug Administration has recently approved the prescription antihistamine Zyrtec for the treatment of year-round allergies in infants as young as 6 months old. It’s the first and only antihistamine over-the-counter or prescription demonstrated with clinical trials to be safe in infants this young.
Allergies usually get worse unless exposure to allergens decreases. If you can eliminate baby’s exposure to whatever is causing his reaction for at least six months, his body will essentially forget about it. However, it’s often difficult to identify what’s causing the allergy. You should keep a careful diary of what symptoms occur and when. This may expose a specific pet, article of clothing, food, or room in your house as the culprit that’s causing the allergy.
- Covering mattresses and pillows with dust mite-proof covers
- Having your cat or dog spend a week out of the house
- Putting away feather pillows
- Switching to a hypoallergenic laundry detergent
Food Allergies In Infants
Often, theres no need to worry about food allergies in infants until your child has begun eating foods other than formula or breast milk. After that point, many recommend you steer clear of feeding your child some of the most common food allergens, including:
- Peanuts and tree nuts
While the signs of an infant food allergy overlap a little with some of the most common signs of allergies in children, food allergies also present as gastrointestinal problems, swelling of the face or limbs, and sometimes trouble breathing. Unlike many allergies that can be treated with baby allergy medicine, food-related allergic reactions are more serious and should be treated by a professional, and quickly.
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Allergy Help For Infants
Nasal saline is the safest and one of the most effective treatments for allergies.
Most over-the-counter allergy meds are considered safe for kids 2 years of age and older. Oral antihistamines like Claritin , Zyrtec , and Allegra are available OTC in kid-friendly formulations. These meds help with sneezing, itching, eye irritation, and runny nose.
In addition, Benadryl is an OTC antihistamine that is safe for children to take.
Nasal steroid sprays like Flonase and Nasacort are approved for use in kids 2 years of age and older. Rhinocort is approved for kids 6 years of age and older. These meds help with nasal congestion and other allergy symptoms. These meds should be used with caution in kids, as some studies have shown a small risk of growth restriction.
Oral decongestants like Sudafed should not be used in kids younger than 12. Nasal decongestants like Afrin can be used with caution and sparingly in kids 6 and older.
If child is less than 2, consult one of our ENTs or a pediatrician. For kids between 2-6, schedule an appointment with one of our ENTs or a pediatrician if OTC meds are not working within 1-2 weeks.
Are There Side Effects To Immunotherapy
There are 2 types of reactions to immunotherapy: local and systemic. The local reaction is redness and swelling at the injection site. If this keeps happening, then the extract strength or schedule is changed.
A systemic reaction may affect the whole body. Symptoms may include nasal congestion, sneezing, hives, swelling, wheezing, and low blood pressure. These reactions can be serious and even life-threatening. In rare cases this can lead to death. If a systemic reaction occurs, your child may keep taking shots. But the dosage will be lower.
If you have any questions about immunotherapy, talk with your child’s healthcare provider.
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Behavioral Advice For People With Allergies
However, there is several pregnancy-safe allergy medicines you can take. You can also prevent it by changing your lifestyle. Here are some behavioral pieces of advice for people with allergies.
First of all, be sure to talk to your doctor about your allergy symptoms. Here are some preventive actions in case you expect allergies during pregnancy:
- Stay away from smokers
- If you are allergic to pollen, try to equip your home with an air purifier. When leaving the house, wear a mask and sunglasses and wash your hands and face on return
- If you are sensitive to dust, it is best to ask someone else to clean the dust in your home
- If you are allergic to pets, it is best to leave the pet with a friend or allocate a separate room in the house for that animal before your allergy symptoms begin
- Use a solution of warm water and salt to rinse your nose to reduce symptoms
- Use a fumigator at night to keep the bedroom moist
- Avoid allergens
- Most allergens enter the home during early mornings and evenings, so close the windows at these times
- Use mint incense.
For Itchy Eyes And Nasal Drainage
Eye irritation and nasal drainage are two of the most common allergy symptoms.
Both conditions result from an allergic reaction, specifically through the release of histamines.
When you experience these symptoms, you should consider taking antihistamines, which are deemed safe for your baby and your breast milk supply.
Zyrtec
The preferred antihistamine to take while breastfeeding is Zyrtec.
Additionally, other second-generation antihistamines are also considered safe, but there is less research supporting their use.
These include Xyzal , Claritin , and Allegra .
Loratadine
The fact that this medication does not cross the blood-brain barrier makes it THE over-the-counter antihistamine of choice, even though it is a long-acting antihistamine.
Based on Hales Medication & Mothers Milk, an infant weighing 8.8 lbs would receive less than 0.46 percent of the maternal dose according to Hales Medication & Mothers Milk.
Fexofenadine
The nonsedating nature of this medication makes it a preferred antihistamine for breastfeeding mothers. Fexofenadine does not appear to have any adverse effects on nursing babies.
Levocabastine oral and Levocabastine eyedrops
Although most commonly prescribed as eye drops, the amount of medication that transfers into human milk is so tiny that its not clinically significant. Plus, there have been no reports of adverse effects in breastfed babies.
However, information regarding Levocabastine oral preparations is not available.
Zatador
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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.
The Best Allergy Medicines For Kids Include A Nasal Spray Or Medications Taken By Mouth But They Are Not Safe For All Age Groups
Story by: Sara Sidery on August 25, 2022
If your child has seasonal allergies, you may be wondering what is the best over-the-counter allergy medicine for kids. According to allergists, the medication that can offer the best relief likely depends on a childs age and symptoms. Generally speaking, nasal steroid sprays tend to be the best daily medication to treat allergies and have the widest therapeutic benefit.
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Which Medication Is Best To Take
You might feel a bit overwhelmed now that you know about all the allergy medications that are available to you.
While it may be tempting to stay with the safest top-rated drugs , many mothers need to take medications with a higher lactation rating to find relief. In some cases, they may not take an L1 or L2 drug for medical reasons.
Even though there are not many published studies on L3 medications, its worth noting that they arent necessarily more dangerous.
Most drugs whose safety is better studied in breastfeeding mothers are rated lower.
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.
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Sinus Pressure And Congestion
Other common symptoms associated with allergy season include sinus pressure and congestion.
Afrin
Afrin nasal spray is a safe nasal decongestant while breastfeeding.
Due to its poor absorption from nasal passages, Afrin does not affect supply as a decongestant taken orally.
However, Afrin may cause rebound congestion if taken for more than three days in a row.
Flonase and Nasacort
The steroid nasal sprays Flonase and Nasacort can reduce sinus pressure and congestion.
Although they are considered safe for supply and baby, it may take a few days to work completely. However, few people prefer Nasacort for its less taste.
Atrovent and Cromolyn
While Atrovent is a prescription nasal spray, Cromolyn is an OTC medication. They are both also considered safe for supply and your baby. But you will only find them in a few pharmacies.
What Allergy Medicine Can I Take While Pregnant
In case the symptoms of allergy persist notwithstanding the observance of these recommendations, you can use the medicine your doctor has prescribed. Be careful not to take allergy medications in the first trimester of pregnancy. You can take the following allergy medicine for pregnant women after consulting with your doctor for professional medical advice diagnosis.
If the type of allergy is diagnosed, the treatment becomes very simple.
Antihistamine medications are generally allergy-safe meds while pregnant. However, there are some side effects such as feeling drowsy and tired. Before taking any medication, consult your doctor about the safety of taking it during pregnancy.
Using anticonvulsants to open the airways is common among people with allergies. These drugs contain pseudoephedrine compounds that may not be a viable option for pregnant women. Especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, they are most dangerous for the fetus and should be avoided. Because in some studies, congenital disorders caused by this drug have been reported.
Oxymetazoline nasal spray is relatively safe for opening the nasal passages. However, it must be used for a short period of 2 to 3 days.
Corticosteroids , if used as a nasal spray, are effective in relieving symptoms due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
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Older Kids With Allergies
Until your children are able to swallow a pill, they will likely need to take the same medications that younger children do, although perhaps in a higher dose.
In addition to the oral granules and 4mg chewable tablet for younger kids, a 5mg chewable tablet of Singulair is available for children 6 to 14 years of age. Children over 14 can take the regular 10mg tablet that adults take.
Older kids can also take Allegra, which is available as a 30mg tablet for children 6 to 11 years of age, and either 60 or 180mg for children over age 12.
Children over age 12 could also take Clarinex, Allegra-D, Zyrtec, Xyzal, Zyrtec-D, Claritin, or Claritin-D.
Antihistamine nasal sprays are another option for kids and include Patanase for children who are at least 6 years old and Astelin and Astepro for older kids who are at least 12 years old. Beginning in early 2022, Astepro will be available over-the-counter for use by kids 6 and older.
The steroid nasal sprays are also commonly used in older children, either alone or with another medication for control of allergy symptoms.
Recommended Usage For Benadryl In Babies: Only Infants Under 6 Months
Dr. Marks-Cogan reports that she only recommends liquid Benadryl for mild reactions in the youngest infants, due to its potential side effects. For older infants, childrens Zyrtec is a better choice. I usually only recommend Benadryl for infants and actually only recommend it for infants six months or younger, explains Dr. Marks-Cogan. For infants six months or older I usually recommend childrens Zyrtec, which is also an antihistamine. Benadryl is short-acting and can cause drowsiness or hyperactivity in some babies, so I prefer Zyrtec which creates more of a steady state and has fewer side effects.
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Quick Check: Is It A Cold Or Allergies
One thing you always want to be sure of, no matter how young or old your child, is whether or not the allergy-related symptoms theyre exhibiting are caused by actual allergies or, instead, the common cold. Since theres a lot of overlap in the various symptoms, you dont want to make the mistake of picking an incorrect treatment.
Look at when and how your baby exhibits their symptoms. Colds can last up to two weeks in a baby, while allergies can last an entire season. A fever may also accompany a cold, but fevers are very rarely present during an allergic reaction.
When Will Allergies In Babies Or Toddlers Develop
It depends on how often your child has been exposed to the allergen. It typically takes time for an allergy to develop. Each allergic person has a threshold that must be reached before an allergen causes a reaction, and this can take months or years. That’s why pollen allergies associated with hay fever usually don’t appear until after age 2.
So, if your child inherited the tendency to be allergic to cat dander, the first few months with Fluffy may present no trouble. A reduced reaction is possible, as well. But then one day, when the exposure level reaches your child’s threshold, the immune system will mount a larger reaction.
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