“What allergy medicine is safe for children seasonal allergies?”
My daughter has seasonal allergies. What allergy medicine is safe for children's seasonal allergies?
1 Answer
Cetirizine (generic or brand Zyrtec) tablets and syrup has been around for a long time and is approved for children 6 months and older. It is very safe. I suggest taking it 1 hour before maximum allergen exposure. For example: if your daughter is allergic to pollen, then taking it before she plays outdoor would be the best. If she is allergic to dust mites or house pets, taking it when she comes back home from school would be optimal.
Nasal spray cromolyn sodium is available over-the-counter. It has no side effects. It can be used before allergen exposure in addition to cetirizine tablets. Unlike cetirizine, it's effect lasts only hours, so it needs to be taken 3-4 times per day for round the clock effect.
Glucocorticoid nasal sprays such as fluticasone (brand Flonase) are the most effective treatment. For best effect, they need to be started about a week before allergy season (think about when your daughter developed symptoms in the past few years and start one week before that time next year). For excellent symptom control during allergy season it needs to be used daily, only few kids can go by with as needed use. Glucocorticoids (steroids) have a lot of warnings, but serious side effects such as slowing of the growth would be extremely rare with use as a nasal spray. Common side effects include drying of the nose and nose bleed.
Saline nasal rinses are also very effective and mitigate nose bleeds from nasal steroids, especially if you live in a dry climate. Check this video: https://youtu.be/LW9mvVe7Mk4
Kids (including mine) typically are initially grossed out by the idea of squirting salt water in the nose, but with persistence and practice they really get to like the relief of congestion and ease of breathing that nasal rinse provides. There are no side effects from sinus rinse if you use boiled or distilled water to prepare it.
Thank you and have a great day.
Igor H.
Nasal spray cromolyn sodium is available over-the-counter. It has no side effects. It can be used before allergen exposure in addition to cetirizine tablets. Unlike cetirizine, it's effect lasts only hours, so it needs to be taken 3-4 times per day for round the clock effect.
Glucocorticoid nasal sprays such as fluticasone (brand Flonase) are the most effective treatment. For best effect, they need to be started about a week before allergy season (think about when your daughter developed symptoms in the past few years and start one week before that time next year). For excellent symptom control during allergy season it needs to be used daily, only few kids can go by with as needed use. Glucocorticoids (steroids) have a lot of warnings, but serious side effects such as slowing of the growth would be extremely rare with use as a nasal spray. Common side effects include drying of the nose and nose bleed.
Saline nasal rinses are also very effective and mitigate nose bleeds from nasal steroids, especially if you live in a dry climate. Check this video: https://youtu.be/LW9mvVe7Mk4
Kids (including mine) typically are initially grossed out by the idea of squirting salt water in the nose, but with persistence and practice they really get to like the relief of congestion and ease of breathing that nasal rinse provides. There are no side effects from sinus rinse if you use boiled or distilled water to prepare it.
Thank you and have a great day.
Igor H.
