Allergy
What are Allergies?
Allergies are the immune system's response to substances that it mistakenly considers as harmful.
Common allergens include:
Pollen
Dust mites
Pet dander
Foods such as peanuts, milk, eggs, tree nuts, soy, shellfish, wheat
Insect stings such as bee stings
Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms can include runny nose and itchy eyes, while severe symptoms can include difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis.
Managing Allergies (With Over The Counter Medications)
Antihistamines (e.g., Cetirizine (Zyrtec), Loratadine (Claritin), Fexofenadine (Allegra))
How it works: Antihistamines block histamine, a substance in the body that is released by the immune system during an allergic reaction. Histamine release can cause symptoms such as itching, sneezing, and runny nose. Using antihistamines can help relieve these symptoms.
Nasal Steroid Sprays (e.g., Fluticasone (Flonase), Triamcinolone (Nasacort))
How it works: Nasal steroid sprays reduce inflammation in the nose. This can help relieve nasal allergy symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and runny or itchy nose.
Decongestants (e.g., Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), Phenylephrine)
How it works: Decongestants help decrease nasal congestion by narrowing blood vessels in the nose, which reduces swelling and the feeling of stuffiness. Decongestants are typically used for short-term relief.
Severe symptoms and reactions can be managed by prescription medications which will be written by your child’s primary care provider.