Treating Kids'
Allergies
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Adults
with
allergies
sometimes
tough it
out, if
they know
their
allergy
season is
limited or
if they
feel they
can handle
the
sniffles
and runny
eyes. But
you can't
take that
same
attitude
with a
child.
Respiratory
allergies
can lead
to chronic
conditions,
which for
kids can
mean ear
infections,
asthma, or
altered
facial
structure
caused by
constant
mouth-breathing.
Allergies
can also
make it
hard for
your child
to
concentrate,
to perform
well
academically
and
athletically,
and to
socialize.
If
avoiding
the
allergen
doesn't
reduce
your
child's
symptoms
enough for
her to be
comfortable,
discuss
with your
doctor how
the
following
medications
might help
her cope.
Nasal
sprays.
Simple
over-the-counter
saline
solutions
can work
fine as
decongestants
and have
no side
effects.
Sprays
with
cromolyn
sodium
(such as Nasalcrom for Children)
relieve
inflammation
without
the
drowsy
side
effects
of
antihistamines.
These
must be
used at
least
three
times a
day for
several
months
prior to
your
child's
allergy
season.
Other
prescription
sprays
containing
corticosteroids
(such as
Vancenase
and Beconase)
also
reduce
inflammation
in the
nose.
But some
experts
caution
that
long-term
use of
inhaled
corticosteroids
can
cause
growth
retardation
in some
children.
Allergieshots.
If
medicines
and
staying
clear of
allergens
are not
enough,
immunotherapy
regimes
exist
for
ragweed,
grass
pollens,
dust
mites,
some
molds,
and cat
and dog
dander.
As
with
common
childhood-disease
vaccines,
an
allergist
injects
minute
quantities
of the
allergen
your
child is
sensitive
to under
his
skin,
which
helps
the
immune
system
become
desensitized
to it.
Your
child
will
have to
go to
the
allergist
at least
once a
week in
the
beginning,
and then
once a
month
for
several
years
after
that.
Children
younger
than age
5
generally
don't
get
allergy
shots,
since
many
allergists
fear
their
immune
systems
aren't
strong
enough
to
withstand
the
introduction
of an
allergen.
But
older
children
are good
candidates
for the
treatment,
and the
best
results
for
allergy
shots
are
generally
in the
age 5 to
25 age
group.
