What are the possible risks of over the counter allergy medications, and are they safe to give to children? How can you help your child with allergies other than by offering medications? If your child suffers from allergies, and you're looking for the product that will offer him or her some relief from the constant runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing and the rest, you may feel overwhelmed by choices in the drug store and the warnings in the media. Here are some answers to those important questions.
Try Avoidance
Allergies flare up when there are a high presence of allergens surrounding the child. Common allergens include pollen, dust, pet dander and plant and mold spores.
While pollen and spores are most prevalent in the springtime, start by reducing the number of allergens inside your home. To do this, make sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter and hypoallergenic filter as well. These prevent the dust from escaping back into the room during vacuuming. Make sure to vacuum rugs, couches and furniture, and even the child's bed mattress. Dust builds up in all of these places. Put a humidifier in the child's bedroom at night, and if you have an air filter, use that during the day to filter out dust particles and spores. If you have a furry pet, brush it well outside to keep shedding at a minimum. You may find that these simple steps alone drastically decrease the allergy symptoms in your child.
Outdoor allergens such as pollen can't be helped, but when your child comes in from playing out of doors, have him change clothes and possibly rinse his hair or brush it vigorously to remove any lingering allergens from outside. Just coming into a clean, allergen-free house can free his airways after playing outside.
OTC treatments
Common allergy medications are decongestants and antihistamines. Decongestants contain pseudoephedrine, which cause blood vessels to constrict in the body, including the nose, providing temporary relief from allergy symptoms. They are habit forming, and cause sleeplessness, so you should never administer them more than three times a day.
Antihistamines are also common. These block the body's reaction to allergens, reducing symptoms. They cause drowsiness, though, and can make kids feel sluggish. As both decongestants and antihistamines have been linked to a temporary decrease in learning, neither is considered a good choice for kids in school. A day off for resting is another matter, and they should be safe for days like that, but use sparingly.
The best choices for OTC allergy medications for children are those which have been found to be effective in forming a protective barrier around the nasal passages. Examples of these are Claritin, Singular, Allegra and Zyrtec. These are non-drowsy, non-habit forming, and don't reduce a child's ability to focus and learn. Always follow the dosage instructions, and consult your child's pediatrician about using any medications for allergy symptoms.
Allergies should be treated, as they could lead to asthma if they get worse. But always remember to start with the non-medical treatments.
 | Spotting symptoms of allergies in toddlers can be difficult, because some allergic reactions mimic minor illnesses. Keeping track of your child's exposure and involving your pediatrician are the keys to successful identification and possible treatment. |
 | Some allergies might be so severe that they have you considering allergy shots for your child. Some allergies will respond well to shots, others will not. |
 | A peanut allergy is serious. A reaction from exposure to peanuts can cause respiratory failure, swelling, heart failure, and even death. The British Medical Journal estimates that 1.3% of the general population suffers from peanut allergies. |
Spring allergies are in full bloom. And your family's first line of defense against the season's biggest offender, pollen, is simple: Keep the windows closed. |
Children have three times the prevalence of food allergies compared with adults. The reason for this is thought to be that children may outgrow certain food allergies. |
