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The Take-Charge Guide to Allergies           ★★★
The Take-Charge Guide to Allergies
Author:163ED   UpdateTime:2010-10-2 13:28:42

When you have an allergy, your immune system releases inflammatory chemicals (most commonly, histamines and leukotrienes) into the bloodstream to attack what it perceives as an invader. Each time you're exposed to that allergen, symptoms return, often increasing in severity. "Sneezing is the body's first line of defense," explains Jacqueline Eghrari-Sabet, M.D., a pediatric allergist in Frederick, Maryland, who treated Mae Beins. "Allergens irritate the lining of the nose, and a sneeze is one way to get rid of them." They also irritate your eyes, causing them to itch and water, and your throat, leading to coughs.

With kids under 3, however, allergy diagnosis can be tricky. "They can have allergies, but they're more likely to be perennial -- allergies to cats, dogs, and dust," explains Dr. Eghrari-Sabet. It takes a few years of exposure to pollen for a child to develop seasonal allergies, she adds, so they tend to show up around preschool age. "However, recurrent ear infections, wheezing, and rash are clues that a baby predisposed to nasal or food allergies may develop them later on," she says.

How to Find Relief
Plenty of medications exist to reduce symptoms, but it's important to check with your doctor before buying any, says Dr. Eghrari-Sabet: "Allergy treatment is complicated. Just because a certain antihistamine worked for an older sibling, or a friend, that doesn't mean it'll work for your child," she says. Treatments to ask about:

OTC or Prescription Antihistamines: The once-a-day drugs help block the itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, postnasal drip, and cough that can be triggered by histamines. OTC products including Zyrtec are approved for children ages 2 and up, although some pediatricians may recommend them for babies as young as 6 months. They're less sedating than the older generation of antihistamines such as Benadryl, Tavist, or Chlor-Trimeton. There are also antihistamine OTC eyedrops. "You'll know fairly quickly whether they're going to work," says Dr. Eghrari-Sabet.

If these aren't effective, your doctor may prescribe Clarinex, Allegra, or Xyzal. Since all medications can affect every child differently, even these safe-for-kids drugs can cause a dry nose or mouth, stomach upset, irritability, sleepiness, or, conversely, hyperactivity. If you notice any adverse reaction, stop using the medicine and give your doctor a call.

Saline Washes: They're very effective for postnasal drip and congestion. "The salt water is like a shower for the nose," explains Dr. Eghrari-Sabet. Buy them at the drugstore, and use (for up to two weeks) with a bulb syringe or a squirt bottle. Nasal rinsing can work well for children as young as 2, although they may need to get used to having water going in one nostril and out the other.

What to Stay Away From
Nasal Sprays : These make it to the top of our experts' list of don'ts. "Although they may be effective, they are not recommended because allergy symptoms last for such a long time," explains Dr. Morton. "These medications tend to have rebound side effects that can cause more symptoms than they cure."

Multi-Symptom Preparations: These might contain overlapping and unnecessary ingredients -- combinations of decongestants, antihistamines, pain relievers, or cough suppressants and expectorants. To reduce the chances of overdosing, be sure to buy only single-purpose medications.

Natural Therapies: While some people swear by herbal supplements (such as eucalyptus oil, goldenseal, or zinc) or using chiropractic or laser treatments, there have been no clinical studies verifying their effectiveness.

If your child is taking the appropriate medication but still suffering from symptoms, your pediatrician may refer him to an allergist. Kid-friendly skin tests, which consist of tiny scratches of common allergens, will pinpoint what he's allergic to so you can minimize his exposure and better tailor an appropriate medication regimen. Children over 5 may be candidates for immunotherapy, a two- to five-year course of shots. When immunotherapy is effective, a child may become less sensitive to allergens, and allergy symptoms will become milder and may even go away. The hope is that eventually springtime becomes a season your family can actually enjoy, without needing an endless supply of tissues by your side.

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