Can You Give Infants Allergy Medicine

Allergy Treatments And Medicine For Kids

Daniel Combs, MD, is board-certified in sleep medicine and pediatrics.

Allergies are common in children, and fortunately, there are many good treatments that can help you control your child’s allergy symptoms.

Although parents usually try over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines, their frequent use should usually be avoided, because they are sedating and can make your child sleepy. Newer OTC allergy medicines are the exception, though, as most are non-sedating, including Allegra, Claritin, and Zyrtec.

Prescription allergy medications for older kids are the same as those that are used for adults, including Clarinex and Xyzal, both of which come in over-the-counter formulations as well. In addition, you can use steroid nasal sprays in children under two years old with allergies, including Flonase, Rhinocort Aqua, Nasonex, Nasacort AQ, Omnaris, and Flonase Sensimist.

That’s a lot of different allergy medications and different combinations that can be used, so don’t let your kids suffer from allergy symptoms. See your pediatrician for help finding the right allergy medications.

Best Allergy Medications For Your Child

The best medication for your childs allergies is the one prescribed by his/her doctor. Even for over-the-counter medications, you should get advice about which are suitable for your childs symptoms before starting them.

To better understand your childs options, here are some recommendations and key points about allergy medications.

Tips For Avoiding Allergy Triggers

To avoid symptoms in the first place, there are steps you can take that reduce the exposure your child has to allergens.

The first thing you want to do is create a shower routine. When a child runs around outside, theyre collecting pollen everywhere, even trapping some in their hair. With a thorough rinse, you can ensure they arent tracking pollen into their beds, causing them to wake up with swollen eyes.

This routine should include everyone in the household since kids arent the only ones bringing allergens into the home. It would also help if you made it a policy that everyone removes their shoes at the door to avoid unnecessary exposure to pollen.

*Childrens Xyzal is not indicated for this symptom.Among OTC branded antihistamines.

Reference1Zave Chad, Allergies in Children, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, accessed February 2021. Available at:

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At What Age Can A Child Take Allergy Medicine

Before starting your child on any allergy medications, always check with your doctor. Some allergy medication in young children may result in serious side effects. While antihistamines are typically fine for children over the age of two, decongestants are advised against until the age of six.

However, every allergy medication has its own age range, so be sure to check with your allergist before administering any medication to your child.

What Medications Can Babies And Toddlers Take For Allergies

You may be able to give your baby or toddler over-the-counter medicine to treat their allergies. But it’s critical that you don’t administer the drug without reading the dosage instructions carefully and talking to a healthcare provider beforehand. Additionally, if your little one takes two or more OTC medicines, make sure the active ingredients are not the same you could end up giving them too much of a certain drug.

If OTC medicine doesn’t work and symptoms persist, see a provider. Depending on the allergy, they may suggest antihistamines or a nasal steroid spray and offer you a prescription.

If your child is really plagued by environmental, pet dander, or insect allergies, an allergist might suggest allergy shots , but typically not until 5 years old. There are occasional exceptions for younger children, such as kids with severe asthma or life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Allergy shots are given in the doctor’s office and contain small doses of the offending allergen â like pollen, mites, or dander â that help your child’s body get used to the substance over time. Shots are typically given twice a week at first, and then gradually at longer intervals until your child has a shot about once very 4 weeks. Allergy symptoms usually improve after several months.

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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.

What To Do If Your Baby Has Been Diagnosed With A Food Allergy

If your baby or toddler is diagnosed with a food allergy, it’s best to begin avoiding that specific food immediately, even if her allergic reaction isn’t a serious one. You’ll need to be very mindful of what foods your baby or toddler is going to eat at all times, especially if it’s food you didn’t prepare.

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Tips For Minimizing The Risk Of An Allergic Reaction

How to minimize the risk of an allergic reaction? As Dr. Jonathan Spergel’s recent research has shown, “severe FA reactions and mortality increase with age and are particularly low in infants, supporting early allergen oral introduction.”

So, don’t wait to introduce allergy-causing foods. Delaying the introduction of allergenic foods for a babys first 1-3 years of life can actually increase their food allergy risk. But starting introduction of peanut, egg, and milk before your baby turns one, and continuing to introduce them multiple times a week for several months, is the best way to minimize their risk of an allergic reaction

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All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.

FDA Acknowledges Qualified Health Claim Linking Early Peanut Introduction and Reduced Risk of Developing Peanut Allergy in 2017:

Pain And Fever Medicine: Paracetamol Ibuprofen And Aspirin

ParacetamolYou can give paracetamol to children from birth.

You can use it to treat:

• pain for example, headache, stomach ache, earache, sore throat or fractures
• fever thats making your child feel uncomfortable or unwell.

Paracetamol comes in different strengths and varieties, so choose the right type for your childs age and size. Follow the dosage instructions carefully.

Panadol, Dymadon and Tylenol are examples of paracetamol.

IbuprofenYou can give ibuprofen to children aged 3 months and older.

You can use ibuprofen to treat:

• pain for example, headache, stomach ache, earache, sore throat or fractures
• fever thats making your child feel uncomfortable or unwell.

Ibuprofen comes in different strengths and varieties, so choose the right type for your childs age and size. Follow the dosage instructions carefully.

Avoid giving your child ibuprofen if they have severe asthma.

Nurofen, Advil and Herron Blue are examples of ibuprofen.

AspirinDo not give aspirin to children under 12 years unless its prescribed by a doctor.

Aspirin can make your child susceptible to Reyes syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal illness. If youre giving your child any over-the-counter medicines, check with your pharmacist or doctor to make sure they dont have aspirin.

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Signs Of A Severe Allergic Reaction

Symptoms of a severe food allergic reaction can include:

• Swelling of the tongue
• Swelling or tightness of the throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Change in voice or cry
• Pale appearance

When the symptoms of a food allergic reaction are severe, and involve more than one organ system, this is known as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening.

Important Information To Remember About Toddler Allergy Medication

One of the most important aspects to remember is to work closely with us. As the areas leading experts in all aspects of pediatric ear, nose and throat issues, were in a unique position to help you by creating a treatment that is tailored to what your child needs. Talk to us before giving your toddler allergy meds because children are often more sensitive than adults to many medications.

Its also important to realize that even though some over-the-counter products say that they are safe for children, that does not mean that it is intended for children of all ages. We encourage you to carefully examine the label.

Often, different products may have the same active ingredient, although they are marketed to treat different symptoms. While you may think you are purchasing products to treat different symptoms, in actuality, all these medicines may have the same ingredients. As a result, your toddler may receive too much of a certain type of medication.

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Allergy Medicine For Children 2+ Years: Which Can I Use For My Kid

Allergies can start at any age. If your child comes to you with itchy eyes and a runny nose, they may already be affected by seasonal allergies.

The best way to avoid an allergic reaction is to avoid the allergen that triggers it. But it isnt easy to keep a young child inside all day. Thankfully, you can give antihistamines to your little one so they can freely run around the park without an itchy throat due to grass pollen.

You can find several different types of allergy medicine for children 2 yrs. and above that can reduce seasonal allergy symptoms. But, keep in mind, before beginning any medicinal course for your child, you should speak to your childs pediatrician first. They, or a pediatric allergist, can perform an allergy test to see if your child is sensitive to any of the more common allergens.If your child has allergies, Childrens Xyzal can provide 24-hour continuous relief when used as directed.

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.

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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.

Preventing Allergies In Kids

The best way to stop seasonal allergies is to prevent symptoms before they start.

• Close windows and keep kids indoors when pollen counts are high.
• Use a HEPA filter to help reduce allergens within your home.
• Try natural remedies like a neti pot or cold compress to make symptoms more bearable.
• Shower after being outdoors to remove pollen, dust, and spores.
• Reduce carpets and rugs in the home.
• Focus on good nutrition to keep allergies at bay, advises Dr. Jones.
• Consult with an allergist about immunotherapy, Dr. Modena suggests.

If your child lives with seasonal allergies, its important to communicate with your provider to determine the most effective treatment plan. With the right medication and preventive measures, you kids can spend more time playing, and less time stuck inside.

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How Are Food Allergies Diagnosed

If you suspect your baby has an allergy or intolerance, consult her healthcare provider. It’s not a good idea to try to make your own diagnosis. The healthcare provider may use any of the following to diagnose a food allergy:

• Skin prick test . This involves placing a drop of the allergen in a liquid extract form on your baby’s skin, and scratching the skin to see if there is a reaction. Results show up in about 15 minutes.

• Blood test. This can be done to measure the amount of antibodies in your baby’s blood. The sample of blood is tested in a laboratory by mixing it with different allergens in liquid extract form to see if antibodies are detected. You may have to wait a few weeks to get these results.

• Elimination diet. This involves removing the suspected food allergen from your baby’s diet and seeing if her symptoms clear up over time. You’ll have to monitor your baby to see if the symptoms do clear up and document the process for several weeks.

Cough And Cold Medicines

Children under 6 years should not take cough and cold medicines, including decongestant nasal sprays.

Children aged 6-11 years should not take cough and cold medicines unless a doctor, pharmacist or nurse practitioner tells them to.

Saline nasal sprays and drops are safe options for clearing blocked noses for children older than 12 months.

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Benadryl Products For Children

There is a variety of Benadryl allergy medications formulated for children aged 6 or over.

Products include Childrens Benadryl Dye-Free Allergy Liquid, Childrens Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion, Childrens Benadryl Chewables, and Childrens Benadryl Allergy Liquid. These are usually safe to give to children aged 6 and above.

Never give children any medications, including Benadryl, that are designed for adults. Dosages in adult medicines are higher than in childrens medicines, so giving adult dosages to children might lead to an overdose.

It is usually safe for children aged 12 onwards to take adult Benadryl products, but always check the directions on the labels.

Liquid Benadryl Dosage Chart: By Weight

The Benadryl dosage that a doctor will recommend to treat mild allergic reactions in a baby or young child depends on the childs age and weight. Always follow the guidance and dosage recommendations of your doctor.

Always follow the guidance and dosage recommendations of your doctor.

Dosages shown here are for dye-free liquid childrens Benadryl, as suggested byPediatric Associates NYC. As always, only use Benadryl with young children when your doctor recommends it. Also, dont give your baby other medications alongside Benadryl, unless your doctor recommends it.

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What’s The Difference Between A Food Allergy And A Food Intolerance

Sometimes children aren’t allergic to a certain food, but instead have an intolerance for it. Intolerance of certain foods is less serious than a food allergy but it’s still an uncomfortable problem.

Here are two common food intolerances:

• Lactose intolerance. This is when your child has difficulty digesting the natural sugar in milk. It is the most common food intolerance and leads to symptoms like gas, bloating, and diarrhea. This intolerance usually shows up around 3 years of age and lasts into adulthood.

• Gluten intolerance. This is when the body is unable to digest a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Because the intestines are unable to absorb the nutrients from these foods, an immune reaction occurs, with symptoms such as cramps, diarrhea, weight loss, and irritability. A gluten intolerance is typically diagnosed between the ages of 6 months and 2 years, and it lasts into adulthood.

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