Allergies Vent

[3DisneyBuggs]

We all have allergies but my poor 7 yo DS has them the worst. He has one eye swollen all the time and his face is puffy. His eyes are red and itchy. His throat is red and sore. Of course he is congested and gets a stomachache form the nasal drip. He is taking Zyrtec, Sudafed, a RX nose spray and RX eye drop. He used to get allergy shots but had a bad reaction once so e can't take them anymore. I feel so bad for my son but there is nothing more I can do.

 

[disneysteve]

Make sure that nobody ever smokes in the house or cars. If you have furry pets (dogs, cats, etc.), seriously consider getting rid of them. If you have central air, be sure to change the filter monthly with a high quality HEPA filter, not the 50 cent fiberglass ones. Have the ducts cleaned annually. Be sure his mattress and pillows are sealed in allergy covers to block dust mites. If there is carpeting in his room, consider removing it and leaving hard wood floors (which get dusted/vaccuumed regularly). If you don't already have one, invest in a good vaccuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, and use it frequently. Keep his room as clean as possible. Don't let it get filled with lots of dust collectors, like knick-knacks and stuffed animals. Keep the house windows closed or else you are just letting all the pollen and allergens in.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I used to wake up like that. My allergy shots took care of the swollen eyes, I no longer get that.
Sorry to hear your little guy is suffering so badly!!!

I guess the thing that helps the most is to dust & vacuum daily. Pollens and mold comes in on you, when you open a door, etc...I have air cleaners in every room.

It STINKS, I hate my allergies!

 

[disneysteve]

Pollens and mold comes in on you

I forgot this one. Yes, you bring allergens in with you. Change your clothes when you come home and shower/wash hair each evening before bed.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I had very mild seasonal allergies when I lived in the midwest. When I moved to CA I suddenly felt like I was sick all the time. Lo and behold, I have new allergies from moving to a new area, AND I've developed asthma. My morning & evening routine now involves a sinus rinse, a nasal spray, an inhaler, a pill, and eye drops. We have to keep the house sealed up most of the time - no fresh air from open windows or doors unless the pollen count is 0 and the air quality index is good or higher. I have to carry an emergency inhaler with me at all times - and 3 years ago I never needed one.

Sigh. Allergies - yuck!

 

[daisyduck123]

I know how you feel.

My DS8 has 3 different prescriptions for his allergies...Zyrtec, Rhinocort nasal spray, & Optivar (eyedrops).

We never get to open our windows in the spring.
All the other homes on the block have been able to keep their windows open for the past 2 weeks. For us - it's the a.c. all the way til mid-June or so.

I also make sure he washes his hair often (to keep the pollen out of his room) & I change his pillowcase often.

We don't allow shoes in the house (it's a year-round rule here for cleanliness) but I also once read that for people with allergies, this is beneficial....lots of things come into the house on shoes.

I hope he feels better soon.

Does he need a bigger dose of Zyrtec?
2 weeks ago our allergist upped DS8's daily dose from 1 tsp. to 2 tsp./day.

 

[Minnie_Moo]

You might want to consider switching to unscented products in case your son also has a fragrance allergy. Some laundry detergents, fabric softeners, shampoos/conditioners, lotions, and perfumes contain a lot of synthetic (petroleum-based) chemicals and can be very irritating to some people. If you use scented fabric softener, etc. and he sleeps on his side, that might explain why his one eye is more swollen than the other. Just a thought.

 

[Ava83]

You poor mommy and your poor son, I have allergies bad also (this season is suppose to be one of the worst)

Is the Zyrtec new to your son, did he just start? I doubt he is on "d" (I think,I should ask DH he is the expert on it) I may take a bit to get him going on it.

If he can take Zyrtex-d you may wnat to try that also(not sure the age indications) you may be able to do away with the Sudafed.

Also do you see and Allergist? If you are in the Chicago area I have the names of 2 of the best in the area (DH works with them)

Me with Allergies and DH works with them-the irony does not escape me

 

[golfgal]

It may be time to switch to a different allergy med. Zyrtec did nothing for my DS. He is on Allegra now and that works MUCH better for him. Has your DS has an appointment lately.

 

[Christine]

I used to have horrible allergies as your son does when I was a child. Swollen eyes, the whole works. If it makes you feel better, as I have gotten older they have improved.

Way back then, they didn't even have any meds they could give us. So we just suffered through it.

Hopefully this darned allergy season will end. I normally only get very mild symptoms at this time of year, but I am really suffering right now.

My next door neighbor, who NEVER opens her windows, told me that on Saturday she washed her hardwood floors. On Sunday, she took the Swiffer over them because she saw dust. Turns out the Swiffer was covered with pollen. And that was after only 24 hours and no open windows. It is very bad this year.

 

[Aidensmom]

I have horrible allergies, and the non-drowsy antihistimines do not work all that well for me. Only Benadryl really gets rid of all my symptoms, especially at times when there is a lot of pollen.

 

[mickeyboat]

I think my 5 year old is developing seasonal allergies, too. For the past three weeks her right eye has been red. It hasn't been itchy or runny, though, but I am worried about what is in the future for her. I have been giving her Benadryl at night, which seems to help a lot. I am waiting for the call from school about pink eye, and the fight with the nurse when I tell her I think it's alelrgies, not bacterial.

Any advice about giving liquid meds to little ones. She absolutely hates it! Do they make Benadryl in a chewable formula?

Denae

 

[Ava83]

Zyrtec did nothing for my DS. He is on Allegra now and that works MUCH better for him.

This can be very true, allergy meds affect people differently-But I think the age indication on Allergra may be higher then Zyrtec (once again I may be wrong it was changed a year ago I think) Claratin did nothing for me.

 

[Ava83]

Oh sorry for the extra post but...

I want to offer a ray of hope...there is a new shot coming that will change allergies and how we treat them..it is a few years off but my understanding is it will be one shot (not sure how often) and will take care of everything.

 

[Christine]

I think my 5 year old is developing seasonal allergies, too. For the past three weeks her right eye has been red. It hasn't been itchy or runny, though, but I am worried about what is in the future for her. I have been giving her Benadryl at night, which seems to help a lot. I am waiting for the call from school about pink eye, and the fight with the nurse when I tell her I think it's alelrgies, not bacterial.

Any advice about giving liquid meds to little ones. She absolutely hates it! Do they make Benadryl in a chewable formula?

I think Benadryl makes chewables and they may even make a "fast-melt" type of tab--not sure.

Also, you might try to use some antihistamine drops in her eye. You can buy them OTC or get a prescription. They work VERY well for eye allergies and don't seem to have the side effects of the oral meds.

 

[mickeyboat]

I think Benadryl makes chewables and they may even make a "fast-melt" type of tab--not sure.

Also, you might try to use some antihistamine drops in her eye. You can buy them OTC or get a prescription. They work VERY well for eye allergies and don't seem to have the side effects of the oral meds.

Thanks, I will look for those things. All of this is new to me, as no one in my family had allergies. We have a doctor's appointment on te 16th, and I will also ask her doctor what she thinks.

Denae

 

[golfgal]

This can be very true, allergy meds affect people differently-But I think the age indication on Allergra may be higher then Zyrtec (once again I may be wrong it was changed a year ago I think) Claratin did nothing for me.

That may be true. DS13 has been on allegra for about 5 years or so though. DS11 has been on it for 3 years. They make smaller doses of Allegra, DS11 is on the 60mg and DS13 is on the 180mg.

 

[golfgal]

Thanks, I will look for those things. All of this is new to me, as no one in my family had allergies. We have a doctor's appointment on te 16th, and I will also ask her doctor what she thinks.

Denae

Are you taking him to an allergy specialist? If not, you might want to consider that. Also, an allergy specialist might be able to fine tune the shots for him so he could take them.

 

[Jpgirl]

I feel for your son. I was like him. I've had allergies all my life-I lived on liquid prescription Benedryl as a kid. My eyes were constantly swollen shut and my throat was always red and itchy. The thing is though I just learned to put up with it. The showering at night is a good idea. Growing up though my parents didn't get rid of our pets or my goose down pillow and I had to take my turn at mowing the grass as a teen. I know that sounds cruel and I would never suggest doing that but when I had allergy testing done about 10 years ago the only things I wasn't allergic too were cats dogs and goose down. The ENT was amazed. I took shots for a few years and stopped. My allergies are much better and I can get by on over the counter non drowsy meds plus eye drops for the few weeks in April that I have problems. I think it's easier to have allergies all your life than suddenly have to deal with them as an adult. I believe as a side result of suffering with allergies is that I rarely get sick with colds or flu. Good luck.

 

[monarchsfan16]

I really feel for your son. The allergies are really bad this year. I just developed them 5 or 6 years ago, and they were manageable with just an extra box of tissues until last year. The doctor told me to start taking Claritin last year, which was a huge help. This year it helps but not nearly as much as last year. Mom wants to get me into an allergist this summer. I litterally can't walk outside anymore without my eyes starting to water. Even better I live in a dorm, so you have to keep the windows open unless you want to die of heat. I also have to walk 10 minutes outside to several of my classes (some are thankfully just across the street). I have all the allergy barrier bedding, and shower before bed, but with a window right next to my bed, well, it's just bad. I wake up each morning unable to talk because of the phlegm in my throat, and go through a small box of Puffs every few days. To add insult to injury as the allergies get worse, I get a really bad cough that goes along with it. Sometimes it's just because of the post nasal drip, but more often than not it seems to be just a nasty dry cough. Haven't quite figured that one out, but everyone in the dorm knows where I am at all times .