Does your little one sneeze often? Does his nose run? Are his eyes red and itchy? These may not be a cold at all. Most of the time, these symptoms are caused by allergies, or as we all know them, an "allergy." Although allergies cannot be completely cured, we can use the right medication to help the child feel better and reduce the discomfort caused by them. Let's talk about this today.
Why does this allergy occur? What is an antihistamine?
Simply put, an allergy is an overreaction of our body's immune system to something that is actually harmless (for example, dust, pollen, certain foods).
Imagine, when something we don't like enters our body, our immune cells get excited and release a lot of a chemical called 'histamine' . It's like a warning bell is ringing. This histamine is what causes symptoms like a stuffy nose, runny nose, itchy eyes, and skin rashes.
So the main type of medicine given for this is called Antihistamine . As the name suggests, these medicines block the action of the histamine that is released unnecessarily. It's like silencing that warning bell. This controls allergy symptoms.
Most importantly: Before giving any medicine to your child, be sure to ask your doctor if it is appropriate for your child and what dosage to give. Avoid giving medicines at the pharmacy on your own.
What is the best time to give allergy medicine to a baby?
This is a question that many parents have. "Should I give medication after the illness has occurred or should I give it early?" In most cases, it is most effective to control allergy symptoms by giving medication before they start .
Talk to your doctor and decide on this. Medication is usually advised in cases like these.
- Before bed: Some allergy symptoms, especially stuffy nose, can be worse between 4 and 6 a.m. So taking the medication before bed can help control these morning discomforts.
- Before the allergy season begins: Imagine that your baby is allergic to pollen. Then, if you start taking the medication as prescribed by the doctor 3 to 10 days before the start of the pollen season, your baby will feel great relief during that most difficult time.
- All the time: If your child has a year-round allergy (e.g., to dust mites), your doctor may recommend a low dose of medication every day to control symptoms.
Commonly prescribed antihistamines and other medications
There are several types of antihistamines. Some are short-acting, working in about 4-6 hours. Others are long-acting, working for 12 or 24 hours. Some medications combine an antihistamine with a decongestant.
The main side effects of these are drowsiness and dry mouth . Therefore, when giving a child a medicine like this, it is best to be a little careful about his activities, especially schoolwork.
| Type of medicine | Commonly used examples (brand names) | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Antihistamine (Oral) | Cetirizine (Zyrtec), Loratadine (Claritin), Fexofenadine (Allegra), Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) | Some of these (e.g., diphenhydramine) can cause excessive drowsiness. Use only the type recommended by your doctor. |
| Nasal Sprays | Azelastine (Astelin, Astepro) | These are sprays containing antihistamines. Use only on doctor's advice. |
| Eye Drops | Azelastine (Optivar), Olopatadine (Pataday), Ketotifen (Zaditor) | It is often recommended for children over 3 years old. It is very beneficial for itchy and red eyes. |
Let's also learn about nasal steroid spray
In addition to antihistamines, doctors recommend nasal steroid sprays to reduce inflammation in the nose and make breathing easier. These reduce nasal mucus, itching, and congestion.
But you won't get relief immediately after using these. It can take about a week or two to see the full results. Therefore, it is very important to continue using them for the duration prescribed by the doctor.
For best results:
- If there is a lot of mucus in the nose, ask the child to blow their nose thoroughly before using the spray. Or use a saline spray ( salt water spray) to clear their nose.
- A mistake many people make is to spray the spray directly onto the wall between the nostrils (septum). Don't do that. Instead , spray with the tip of the spray pointing toward the outside of the nose, toward the ear.
- After spraying, tell the child to take a deep breath.
The doctor may also recommend continuing to use antihistamine tablets until the nasal spray has had an effect.
It may take some time to find the right medication or combination of medications for your child. Don't worry. Work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that allows your child to continue their activities without any disruptions.
Take-Home Message
- Although allergic conditions cannot be completely cured, proper treatment can help control symptoms and help your child stay healthy.
- Always consult your doctor before giving any medicine to your child. Follow the directions on the medicine label and your doctor's instructions exactly.
- The best way to control allergy symptoms is to take medication before they start . Talk to your doctor about this.
- Medications can cause side effects like drowsiness. Be aware of that.
- Nasal sprays can be used with the correct technique to achieve maximum results.
- It may take some time to find the right medication for your child. Don't worry about it, just keep in touch with your doctor and continue your treatment.
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