Note when using allergy medicines for babies

Children have a runny nose, sneezing that lasts for many weeks, the high cause may be because the child is having an allergy. In some cases, your doctor will prescribe allergy medication. However, the drug can cause some unwanted side effects, so parents need to be very careful when using allergy medicines for babies.

Allergies are the body's reaction to a foreign or potentially allergenic substance. The body's immune system responds to incoming allergens by releasing histamine and other chemical mediators, causing symptoms in the nose, lungs, pharynx, sinuses, ears, eyes, skin or stomach lining.
Allergic reactions in children are no exception, allergies occur when the child's body excretes histamine. Common signs in children with allergies include stuffy nose, runny nose, itching ... In addition, children also have itchy eyes, watery eyes.
In some children, an allergic reaction can also cause symptoms of asthma, a disease that causes wheezing or difficulty breathing in young children. Some medical experts have shown that if a child has allergies and asthma, uncontrolled allergies can make their asthma worse.

Baby allergy medicine is often used first is the group of antihistamines. As the name suggests, this class of drugs works by blocking the action of histamine. When using allergy medicine in children should note:

Some children's allergy medicines are short-acting, so they need to be given every 4 to 6 hours; Some extended-release antihistamines should be taken every 12 to 24 hours; Some baby allergy medicines are in the form of a combination of antihistamines and decongestants; The most common side effects of allergy medicine in children are drowsiness and dry mouth; Because children are special, parents should consult their pediatrician about the best medicines for their children before starting to use them; For most children, allergy symptoms can be controlled by avoiding the allergen or allergen exposure and using over-the-counter medications to treat the allergy. mild reaction. But when the symptoms of an allergy that are bothering your child persist for a long time and do not improve even with the use of over-the-counter medications, take your child to see a pediatrician for appropriate treatment; Although there are a number of allergy medications approved for children under 6 months of age, the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) warns that the information on the product label is "medicine for children" does not mean it is intended for children of any age, always read the accompanying instructions for use carefully to make sure that the product is indeed appropriate for the child's age. When children are using many different drugs, parents should carefully read the instructions for use of the drug and the composition of the drug to ensure there are no duplicate active ingredients. Children are more sensitive to the side effects of allergy medications than adults. Some children's allergy medicines (antihistamines) can have side effects at doses lower than adult doses and lead to excessive irritability or drowsiness;

Allergies in children to a certain agent are difficult to cure completely, but the main goal is to help the baby feel more comfortable. There are many different allergic conditions, for example, if a child has allergic rhinitis when exposed to pollen, parents need to prepare the necessary allergy medicine for the baby in the season when pollen appears a lot in the wind.
In short, with any medicine, including children's allergy medicine, parents should make sure to strictly follow the instructions for using the medicine attached to the product.

Most health professionals recommend that children with a history of allergies use allergy medications before allergy symptoms start to prevent them. Consult a pediatrician about when to use allergy medicine for children:
Before bedtime: Allergy symptoms are usually worse between 4 and 6 am. If parents give the child medication at bedtime, it can control the child's morning symptoms; Before allergy season of the year: If your child has a history of pollen allergies, he or she can start using an antihistamine 3 to 10 days before pollen season.

Some powerful drugs:
Azelastine nasal spray; Desloratadine; Hydroxyzine. Most eye drops are only recommended for use in children over 3 years of age. Common prescription medications include:
Azelastine eye drops; Olopatadine HCL. An over-the-counter eye drop option is:
Ketotifen fumarate. Over-the-counter oral antihistamines include:
Cetirizine; Diphenhydramine; Fexofenadine; Loratadine. Children's allergy medicines in the form of nasal sprays with anti-inflammatory steroids will make it easier for children to breathe through the nose, the medicine can be made in the form of a liquid or aerosol, can be used many times a day. The main effect is to reduce sebum secretion, reduce itching and limit congestion. However, this group of drugs takes some time to bring about the maximum effect. Instructions for using nasal spray:
Make sure the child sprays the medicine away from the nasal septum; If the child's nose has thick mucus, clear the nose first with saline solution by blowing the nose on both sides; Your baby's doctor may prescribe antihistamines and other allergy medications for your baby until the nasal spray works, which is usually after 1 or 2 weeks.

Others:
Singulair is a prescription medicine that can prevent asthma attacks. This drug is also approved to treat allergic conditions. The effect of singulair is to relieve nasal congestion and sneezing, relieve itching and reduce the degree of allergies in the eyes; Prescription eye drops can relieve and prevent itchy eyes. In fact, it can take a long time for parents to find the most appropriate and effective medication or combination of drugs for their child. Therefore, discuss with your doctor to create a treatment plan that allows your child to have a normal life while using the drug (without side effects of drowsiness affecting learning, playing, etc.) ).

If your child has seasonal allergies, pay attention to pollen allergens. From there, try to keep children away from places where pollen is high. In late summer and early fall, pollen counts are usually highest in the morning. In spring and summer, pollen counts are highest in the evening. In addition, certain types of mold, another allergy trigger, can also be seasonal.
In addition to the therapeutic effects, allergy medicine for children also leaves some unwanted side effects. Therefore, to ensure the child's safety, parents need to carefully read the instructions or follow the doctor's instructions.
With many years of experience in examining and treating diseases in children, now the Pediatrics Department at Vinmec International General Hospital has become one of the major health care centers, capable of examining screening and treatment of many diseases in children. Therefore, if the child shows signs of an allergy, parents can take the child to Vinmec International General Hospital for examination and receive support and advice from doctors.

References: fda.gov, webmd.com