Allergies – The treatment for most allergic conditions is to avoid the allergen. The best way to do this is to avoid exposure, but that may not be possible in some circumstances. For example, if your child is allergic to dust mites, it can be very difficult to eliminate dust mite allergens from the environment.
Allergies can be annoying, especially if you have a child who suffers from them. However, there are ways to help relieve some of your child’s symptoms and prevent future problems. This reaction occurs when the immune system reacts to a substance that it perceives as harmful. The immune system responds by releasing chemicals into the bloodstream to fight the invader. These chemicals cause inflammation and tissue damage in different parts of the body.
The treatment for pediatric allergies will depend on the severity of the reaction and how long they’ve been going on. If they’re starting to show signs, then it’ll be easy to treat them with steroids or antihistamines. If it’s been going on for a long time, you may need to consider immunotherapy or allergy shots. While allergies can be treated, there is no cure. The good news is that you can help your child manage their allergies and keep them from interfering with everyday life.
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Intranasal decongestants
These work by reducing swelling in the nose caused by an allergic reaction. They help relieve nasal congestion caused by allergic rhinitis by vasodilation of nasal blood vessels and decrease nasal secretions by acting as local vasoconstrictors but not treating the underlying allergy itself. Decongestants are available as tablets or sprays (e.g., oxymetazoline). They’re available from pharmacies without a prescription and are often sold in combination with antihistamines. They are not always effective in the long-term treatment of pediatric allergies. These agents should not be used for longer than seven days without consulting your ENT doctor in Philly if around there, because they can cause rebound rhinitis, making your symptoms worse.
Steroids
Steroids are often used as the first line of defense against allergies because they’re very effective at reducing inflammation in the body, which causes most allergic reactions. In fact, they’re so effective that many people don’t even realize they take them every day! For example, people living with asthma who take their inhaler regularly are taking a steroid medication called prednisone.
You should only use steroids if your child has recently developed an allergy or if they have already taken antihistamines but still suffer from symptoms such as sneezing and watery eyes. It would be best if you never gave them to children under six months old because it can cause serious side effects like dehydration or high blood pressure.
Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT)
Allergen immunotherapy involves giving injections of small doses of allergens that cause allergic reactions to build up immunity to them over time. This treatment is usually given in injections under the skin, but some people are given drops in their nostrils or tablets to swallow. AIT has been shown to reduce or stop the allergic reaction caused by exposure to specific allergens. However, it is not a cure for allergies and can take months to years before any improvement is seen. It is effective at improving the quality of life in some people with allergic rhinitis. There are risks associated with AIT, including anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction that can cause death). Your doctor will discuss these risks with you before starting treatment with AIT.
Antihistamines.
These are usually the first-line treatment for children who have mild symptoms such as sneezing or a runny nose. Antihistamines work by blocking the action of histamine, which is involved in allergic responses. Antihistamines can be taken as tablets, liquid medicines, or creams applied to the skin. The side effects are usually mild and include drowsiness, stomach upset, headaches, and dry mouth. You can buy antihistamines over the counter at pharmacies and supermarkets, but they’re not suitable. For example, some people can’t take them if they have asthma or epilepsy. These medications should be taken just before bedtime to avoid sedation and drowsiness during the day. Antihistamines also have sedating effects on the brain (this is why people often use them as sleep aids).
The first-generation antihistamine medications have more side effects than newer medications but are still effective against most common allergens such as dust mites and pollen. Examples include chlorpheniramine maleate (Chlor-Trimeton), diphenhydramine HCl (Benadryl), and clemastine fumarate.
Inhaled corticosteroids
These are the most effective treatment for pediatric asthma and may help reduce the severity of symptoms in allergic rhinitis. Corticosteroids are medicines that help reduce inflammation in the airways and lungs. These medications also treat exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) and chronic cough associated with asthma or chronic bronchitis. They can be used as an add-on treatment with asthma medications or used on their own. However, they do not work well in children under six years old, who often have more severe symptoms than older children. Corticosteroids may also cause side effects such as weight gain, mood changes, and sleep problems. They may be given as a single dose or as a daily maintenance therapy depending on the symptoms present and severity of the condition.
Leukotriene receptor antagonists.
These drugs have been shown to be effective in reducing itching and swelling associated with urticaria, especially in children with chronic disease. They work by blocking the release of inflammatory substances from mast cells. Their use is limited by their side effects, including headache, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Leukotrienes are key players in the inflammatory response and play a role in asthma and allergy symptoms. The two leukotriene receptor antagonists used to treat asthma are montelukast, which is available as chewable tablets, and zafirlukast (Accolate), which comes as a tablet or an extended-release capsule. Montelukast is also approved for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
Mast cell stabilizers.
These drugs may be useful for treating chronic urticarial reactions that are not adequately controlled by antihistamines or leukotriene receptor antagonists. Examples include cromolyn sodium and nedocromil sodium. Nedocromil sodium can also be used as an intranasal decongestant for colds and allergies.