The Prevalence and Management of Allergy in Children

You may not understand why your child is irritable when in fact they are suffering from some sort of allergy. The temptation is to use over-the-counter medicines but you may not get the results that you are looking for. In this article we consider some of the ways in which parents are coping.

It is not really advisable to rely on medicines to deal with child allergy symptoms because they have sedating abilities. Your child may become too sleepy to participate in ordinary circumstances. As an alternative you may use Claritin and Alavert because they do not affect the sleeping patterns of your child.
Older children: There are no noticeable differences between the prescriptions that are used for older kids and toddlers. You will find the staples being Zyrtec, Allegra and Clarinex. If you want to try older nasal sprays then you can make use of Rhinocort Aqua, Flonase, Veramyst and Nasacort AQ. Babies who are older than 6 months can use syrup forms of Zyrtec and Clarinex. The key is finding the right type of solution for the patient at any age. You can experiment as long as you are not consuming everything at the same time.
Medicines and diversification: Some of the medicines that are available can be chewed and this makes it easier for younger people to consume them. For example you may use the Claritin Reditab which disintegrates once it is in the mouth if the patient is older than 6 years and do not like to swallow pills. Alavert is a cheaper version of Claritin which is an alternative to loratadine.
Increasing the effectiveness of the antihistamines: It is better to concentrate on one form of medication to see how it works instead of jumping from place to place. For example Singulair will work well especially if it is not combined with other forms of antihistamine. In fact you can use it for seasonal allergies that rarely stop occurring. It is particularly effective when you are dealing with chronic idiopathic urticaria or hives.

The use of steroids is not recommended unless you do not have alternatives. They are normally administered as nasal sprays and Veramyst is a popular brand for children that are older than 2 years of age. Flonase can be commenced once they reach 4. The FDA gives some pretty clear guidelines on age which should be followed in order to protect the safety of your child.

In this article we have considered the child allergy symptoms and the development of allergy treatments for children with the advice of a clinician. Child Allergy Symptoms and Allergy Treatments for Children.

Original article

Seasonal Allergies in Children

Seasonal allergies, sometimes referred to as hay fever, are allergic reactions to pollen from trees, weeds, and grasses that typically persist during the fall and spring months. Pollen is a fine powdery substance consisting of microscopic grains that are released from plants by the wind and insects. Springtime allergies are often the result of pollen from trees like: oak, elm, birch, ash, hickory, maple, walnut, sycamore, and cypress.

Symptoms of seasonal allergies include runny nose, nasal congestion, watery eyes, dry/itchy eyes, and sneezing. These symptoms are triggered when pollen gets into the eyes, lungs, and nose. While there is no cure for seasonal allergies, several over the counter and prescription medications exist (in the forms of pills, sprays, and drops) that help provide relief from many seasonal allergy symptoms.

Contrary to popular belief, people are not always born with allergies, even though many allergies are hereditary. Sometimes allergies won't develop until later in life, which can make the diagnosis difficult, because sufferers may not even realize that they are suffering from allergies.

Aside from medications, there are several behaviors that sufferers of seasonal allergies can practice to reduce their contact with allergens. Air conditioning and oscillating fans promote airflow that can keep pollen at bay while indoors. Since pollen can be tracked indoors on clothing, removing and washing clothes worn outside can keep pollen from getting indoors. A shower after a day spent outside will also ensure pollen on the skin and in the hair doesn't cause an allergic reaction.

When possible, travel outside should be kept to a minimum between the hours of 5 am and 10 am, when the pollen count in the air is generally the highest. People who are especially sensitive to pollen should follow local weather reports for a daily pollen count, which can have an effect on the number and severity of allergic reactions a person experiences. Windows in homes and in cars should remain closed on days when the pollen count is high, and laundry should be dried indoors. Garden chores, like mowing the lawn or pulling weeds, should also be avoided when pollen is in the air.

Perennial allergies, like those caused by mold, dust, and pets, are more consistent than seasonal allergies and can affect people throughout the year. While symptoms may be similar, a doctor or pediatrician can usually determine whether allergies are seasonal or perennial. Parents of children who suffer from any type of allergy should inform teachers and babysitters about their child's allergies, triggers, severity of attacks, and type of medication (if any) used to control symptoms. This not only prepares the teacher or sitter to help the child through an allergic reaction, but also allows them to take preventative measures to keep the risk of reactions to a minimum. Parents should also teach their children about allergic triggers so the child can develop a pattern of avoiding their triggers on their own. Even though allergies can make sufferers appear as if they have a cold or flu, an allergy is not a germ and can't be caught or spread.

Dr. Gina Rosenfeld is a San Diego Pediatrician who has been in practice for 35 years. She is also a member of Children's Physicians Medical Group.

Original article