OT: Allergy med for toddler

Eeyorific · Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 812

Matthew is having some major allergy reactions (sneezing like crazy, starting to run) we know Matthew is allergic to feathers, I sent their pillows, and made my mom aware of this, He's also allergic to oak, and I'm sure other things we don't know yet.

Zyrtec works well with his allergy symptoms, however, HE reacts to the zyrtec! I'm not sure if it's corn or the sugar.. but something it in really sets him off. I'm at a loss for what to do. He STRONGLY reacts to Benadryl, or any other antihistamine in it's field... I feel like my hands are tied.

Does anyone know of any allergy med that doesn't contain gluten, casein/dairy, corn or sugar? Oh, and that's safe for a 3 1/2 yr old? (wishful thinking huh)

Kristie

mrsppmrxky · Joined: 09 Oct 2004 Posts: 1452 Location: GF Kitchen

I really feel for you! When our youngest DD was your son's age, the Navy had her on medications that we later learned had never been approved for children to take. (Later we found out that that allergy medication given along with antibiotics had been proven to cause heart damage.)

If I had only known then what I know now about speaking up to the dr. and being my own advocate! Crying or Very sad

I am not sure about the allergy issues (corn & sugar) but we were told that Allegra was safe to take. Don't they make that in a child dosage? Many of the antihisimines cause my heart to feel like it is skipping or coming out of my chest. (I can't take Benydryl or Actifed!!!!!)

Have you tried going to you local health food store and checking into the homopathic treatments for allergies? (those are supposed to be really safe to use. I don't know about the sugar though)

Sambucol...........is liquid Elderberry and helps the immune system. (again, I am not sure about your particular issues, but we take this when we are really starting to feel down.)

I hope your little guy feels better!

Do you have an air purifier in your home? We bought one because we all 5 have allergies. Our home is surrounded by Hickory Nut trees........our entire neighborhood has them. When they are putting out it drives us all to the dr. with sinus infections. As long as I stay inside with the air purifier, I do not have any problems. The moment I step outside to walk to the car, I start getting congested.

Maybe this would help your son.
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Eeyorific · Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 812

Thanks Mrs. P I do have a smaller one, I think I'll put in his room.
Also, I will check with my health food store and see what they have. I have to do something, but putting him on Zyrtec would be like giving a sane person some drug to make them crazy! At the same time, if we don't do "something" it is likely to turn into a sinus infection, needing an antibiotic.. which has the same effect on him. UGH!

Kristie

Fidissimus · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 1463 Location: Portland, OR.

For sinuses you can also use a saline spray up the noise which will help wash out the offending allergens and also keep bacteria from building up and causing infections. This isn't a total solution but I find it very helpful to do this at least once a day when I feel a cold coming on... I don't have those kinds of allergies, but my poor DH is allergic to grasses, dander, some nuts, etc.. He uses his spray bottle multiple times daily which seems to help him.
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Cheers!
Jenn

GF BD: Feb. 2001
Free of wheat, barley, rye, oats, rice, dairy, eggs, almonds, pineapple and brewers yeast.
http://graindamaged.blogspot.com/

Eeyorific · Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 812

another good idea, thanks Jenn.
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Kristie M.

"The truth of God's love is not that he allows bad things to happen....
it's his promise that he will be there with us when they do!"

jayhawkmom · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 851 Location: Midwest, USA

Oh my! I'm also allergic to Oak (along with Elm and Maple), and feathers!! While making hotel reservations, I always have to make sure the hotel doesn't have down *anything* otherwise, I look for another hotel. Granted, most of the hotels that have down blankets/pillows are the higher end, but once in a while, a higher end hotel would be nice! LOL!

Anyhow, I'm sorry you are dealing with this!!!! My daughter gets "knocked out" with Benedryl, almost instantly.

Eeyorific · Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 812

jayhawkmom · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 851 Location: Midwest, USA

I shouldn't laugh. But, I can't help it.

When I went to take my older son back to my hometown for the first time, he was just a little tyke. I remember asking the pediatrician if he had any recommendations for traveling with such a young one.

He advised me to give him Benedryl to help him sleep. Well.... uhhhh, it backfired. It made him (and still makes him) very very hyper. Unless it's a dire emergency, I will never give him Benedryl again.

bassgirls · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Florida

I know this is an old post but I wanted to chime in that zyrtec contains lactose. could be the issue since you list him being allergic to milk. FWIW you can find ingrediants for meds at drugs.com
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BETH mom to
RAVEN (1/7/00) allergic to shellfish, dustmites, cats,dogs, oak and roaches. Takes nasonex, loratadine, carries epi-pen jr wears medic-alert
WILLOW(2/20/03) allergic to milk,cats dogs mold,dustmites. reflux.Takes zantac,periactin,nasonex

Eeyorific · Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 812

cultureslayer · Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 743 Location: NC

If it's not a time release, you can usually grind up a pill and put it in something. Sweeten with fructose if he's allergic to cane sugar, more or less make your own syrup. Won't taste as good, but if he knows it'll make him better he can get used to it. I've had a hard time swallowing pills in the past thanks to GERD and found that liquid was best since you can get it down quickest. Peanut butter, well that sticks around and I had a hard time eating if for a while after that nasty incident. Zantac shots lol.
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Lauren
Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.

Eeyorific · Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 812

mrsppmrxky · Joined: 09 Oct 2004 Posts: 1452 Location: GF Kitchen

We have been wondering if some of MrP's medications contain corn. I have been toying with the idea of speaking with a compounding pharmacist to see if he/she could make up an allergy pill that would work.

MrP used to take the Benedryl when it was really bad and the Allegra had quit working, but he has complained of itching now. He has had the same reaction to sudafed and Mucinex in the last few months.

Do you think that a compounding pharmacist could come up with an acceptable formula for your child?
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Eeyorific · Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 812

mrsppmrxky · Joined: 09 Oct 2004 Posts: 1452 Location: GF Kitchen

I can't take Benadryl becuase it makes me feel as if my heart starts dancing and skipping beats.

My DS was 3 when he was given a RX antihisitmine (the name escapes me at the moment.) he was so hyped, he could not sit still he kept moving even while trying to watch TV all night long. He was seeing things in the walls, coloring with a black crayon talking about all the pretty colors.......what scared me was when he started trying to climb the walls literally.

I was up with him all night long trying to keep him from getting hurt.

I wonder if we undertook a writing campaign to the drug companies if they would consider taking a corn free/wheat free formula as a backup for the more readily available?
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