Seasonal Allergies...What Can You DO??

It's that time of year...Spring. And with the arrival of Spring comes the seasonal allergies and, for me at least, this year has been the worst in recent memory. NOTHING seems to help and sometimes I want to rip off my nose (until I remember that without it I couldn't taste anything). ^_^

With 40% of children suffering from seasonal allergies, it can be tough. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S. with an annual cost in excess of $18 billion. More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year.

"Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system to substances that generally do not affect other individuals. These substances, or allergens, can cause sneezing, coughing, and itching. Allergic reactions range from merely bothersome to life-threatening. Some allergies are seasonal, like hay fever. Allergies have also been associated with chronic conditions like sinusitis and asthma."

So, how can you tell if your kid has allergies or a cold? And what kind of treatment (if any) should you use?


According to Dr. Sears, determining whether your kid is sick or has seasonal allergies is tough. "You notice that your child's nose has been running for a few days. He begins sneezing, develops an occasional cough, and has to blow his nose frequently. You ask yourself, "Could this be allergies? Or is it just a common cold virus?"

"Many parents bring their children to the doctor with this very question. In reality, during the early stages of these symptoms, it doesn't really matter if this is an allergy or a cold. Neither condition needs an antibiotic and the child doesn't need to be in the office.

"Now, if you really want to know whether your child is suffering from allergies or just a cold, you are going to have to wait and see if symptoms persist longer than one to three months - this is perhaps the single most important indicator of allergies. Virtually all children go through normal coughs and colds."

YIKES!! Three months?? I guess if you're super-mom you can wait that long but I know that I, like most moms, don't like to see my child suffer unnecessarily. So, what can you do? Believe it or not there are antihistamines that you can use when your child is as young as 6 months of age. And if some quack uneducated person tells you that you should be reported to CPS for giving your baby Benadryl, and that your doctor should lose their license for even suggesting it, you can ignore them as it's perfectly safe in the right dosage.

According to Dr. Sears the following treatment options for allergies are in place:

• Over-the-counter antihistamines - these work by blocking the action of histamine. They treat the itchy, sneezy, runny nose, itchy watery eyes, and itchy throat. They can also help with nasal congestion. Antihistamines are available in liquid, chewables, and pills. Common brands include Benadryl(tm), Dimetapp (tm), and Chlortrimeton (tm). Try several different brands to see which one works best for your child. They are generally safe for children 6 months and older. They last 6 - 12 hours.


• Decongestants - drug name is pseudoephedrine. While these drugs do nothing to fight the histamine effects of allergies, they can improve nasal congestion associated with allergies. They are especially helpful in conjunction with an antihistamine when the major allergy symptom is nasal congestion. Decongestants come as a separate medication or in combination with an antihistamine. Over-the-counter decongestants are virtually the same as prescription ones. Side effects are rare but include jitteriness and hyperactivity.


• Combination antihistamine/decongestants - the above over-the-counter antihistamines also come combined with a decongestant.


• Cromolyn nasal spray - this acts like an antihistamine directly in the nose. Side effects are transient stinging and sneezing. It is over-the-counter (Nasochrom [tm]).

Before your child is 6 months old, the best thing to use for clearing the nose is saline solution in combination with a nasal aspirator. It STILL works wonders on Willow, who can not yet blow her nose.

You might be wondering what natural remedies you can use. If you don't want to rely on over-the-counter medications there are some things you can do. According to WebMD:

• Among those generating the loudest buzz right now is the European herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus) - one tablet of butterbur four times daily was as effective as a popular antihistamine drug in controlling symptoms of hay fever -- without the traditional symptom of drowsiness that sometimes occurs.


• Other herbal supplements proving helpful, include freeze-dried nettles and a tonic made from the herb goldenseal, which you can add to still one more natural treatment -- a saline (salt water) nasal spray.


• In addition to herbs, many naturopathic doctors also believe certain nutrients can be helpful in quieting seasonal symptoms. Among the most popular are grape seed extract and a flavonoid compound known as quercetin.


• Turning the focus from the medicine chest to the kitchen cabinet, you might want to try cooking up some allergy relief in the form of hot, spicy foods. The reason: Experts say the spicier the dish, the more likely it is to thin mucous secretions, which in turn can clear nasal passages. Among the most frequently recommended spices for this purpose include cayenne pepper, hot ginger, and fenugreek, as well as the traditional onion and garlic.


• According to New York University allergist Clifford Bassett, MD, if you suffer from ragweed or other weed pollen allergies, "you should avoid eating melon, banana, cucumber, sunflower seeds, chamomile, and any herbal supplements containing echinacea, all of which can make symptoms much worse.

Of course, the best treatment is to try and prevent exposure to allergens. But we all know that springtime is awesome weather and children love to play outside as much as possible before it gets too hot out (or even when it's hot out). And we can't very well keep trees and flowers from blooming and creating pollen and the like.

But, there are precautions you can take to minimize exposure.

• If people in your household have allergies, it is important to do a thorough cleaning of the house, especially in the spring, by removing all the dust that has collected in your house over the winter.


• It's a good time to shampoo your rugs, vacuum all the nooks and crannies, and remove the mold from all kitchen, bathroom and garage surfaces.


• If you have allergies in the spring and summer, take a few precautionary steps to avoid bringing allergens back into the house.


• When you come in from the outdoors, don't bring the clothes you've worn outdoors into the bedroom; change in another part of the house and take a shower, if you can.


• Avoid being outdoors from the late morning to early afternoon, as those are the peak hours for pollen production. Keep your windows closed if you're really allergic.

Good luck with the seasonal allergies! Benadryl is our tried and true method of assuring a good nights sleep, for both Willow and me!