Allergies
Seasonal allergies, or hayfever, are very common at this time of year. Typical symptoms include watery, itchy, red eyes; a clear runny nose; sneezing; and an itchy palate or throat. The most common triggers are trees in the spring, grasses in the summer, and weeds in the fall!
Effective oral medications are now available for children over the age of 2 without a prescription for treatment of seasonal allergies. These include loratadine (generic Claritin), fexofenadine (generic Allegra), levocetirizine (generic Xyzal) and Cetirizine (generic Zyrtec). These medications can be given as needed for allergy symptoms.
If most of your child's symptoms are primarily nasal congestion, you could try using over the counter nasal spray called fluticasone (generic Flonase or Flonase Sensimist). One potential side effect of nasal fluticasone is bloody noses, if this occurs, we recommend stopping the nasal spray.
If your primary symptoms are itchy, watery eyes, the nasal fluticasone may help, but there are also effective over the counter allergy eye drops available. Some names include: Ketotifen (generic Zaditor) twice a day dosing for children age 3 years and up. Olopatadine (generic Pataday) once a day or twice a day varieties for children age 2 years and up
If you think your child has seasonal allergies and he or she is not responding to medication OR if you are not sure, please make an appointment in our office.
Many children do not require allergy testing if they respond to treatment with over the counter medications as needed.
Effective oral medications are now available for children over the age of 2 without a prescription for treatment of seasonal allergies. These include loratadine (generic Claritin), fexofenadine (generic Allegra), levocetirizine (generic Xyzal) and Cetirizine (generic Zyrtec). These medications can be given as needed for allergy symptoms.
If most of your child's symptoms are primarily nasal congestion, you could try using over the counter nasal spray called fluticasone (generic Flonase or Flonase Sensimist). One potential side effect of nasal fluticasone is bloody noses, if this occurs, we recommend stopping the nasal spray.
If your primary symptoms are itchy, watery eyes, the nasal fluticasone may help, but there are also effective over the counter allergy eye drops available. Some names include: Ketotifen (generic Zaditor) twice a day dosing for children age 3 years and up. Olopatadine (generic Pataday) once a day or twice a day varieties for children age 2 years and up
If you think your child has seasonal allergies and he or she is not responding to medication OR if you are not sure, please make an appointment in our office.
Many children do not require allergy testing if they respond to treatment with over the counter medications as needed.