Question:
I was hoping to get some ideas on how my daughter's allergies
are being treated. My daughter is 11 years old. She is in good
health except for these so caleled allergies she has. Her doctor
tells me that she has allergies and that I should give her a dose
of Dimetapp when her symptoms occur. Now, she has never been tested
to see what she is alergic to. She also has had sever nosebleeds
some of which concern me. I guess what I'm asking is if anyone
out there has had similar problems with their child and should I
insist on allergy testing? Is there a midication other than
dimetapp that may be better for my daughter. Yesterday she was
sneezing and her eyes looked as if she had been hit, they were
almost resembled black eyes.
Answer:
I do not have any children but I have severe allergies, at this
time of the year ragweed is the culprit and right now nothing seems
to help. I have found some relief in over the counter
antihistamines, three that help me are reactine, chlorotripilon,and
benadryl I have also used vasocon eye drops for my itchy watery eyes.
You should check with your pharmacist as to whether an 11 year old
can have these medications and definately get checked as to what she
is allergic to. For example if she is allergic to feathers and you
have feather pillows this may be easily corrected this is just an
example. You have the right to have your daughter tested for alleries. Usually
this is done by the skin testing method. More important, however, is to
have her see an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist to evaluate her
nosebleeds. They may be do to allergies but they can occur for other
reasons. Before you look to allergies check that out. By the way your new
ENT can arrange for allergy testing after your little one is checked out. Often allergy medications do not work very well. Once allergy is
diagnosed find out if she can be desensitized to the allergins she is
allergic to. Here's a secret: I use small doses of triamcinalone acetate 30-40
mg.every two to six weeks during high allergy season to treat my
patients. If it work, which it usuallly does, then oral medica are no
longer needed. The advantage is its long term effect. The dosage is small
and should not cause a problem. You doctor will have to decide whether
this is right for your daughter. I very much doubt that any pediatrician or allergist experienced with
the treatment of allergies in children would endorse the use of very
potent systemic steroids for the treatment of allergies in children. With the available nasal steroid sprays I don't think allergists would
even treat adults this way in the 1990's.
