Dr. Stuart Agren
Allergies affect nearly 40 percent of children, from babies on up.
They can cause hay fever, asthma, eczema, hives and coughing, as well as chronic ear and sinus infections. Food allergies can lead to nausea, gas, cramping and diarrhea.
For all of that, though, a good pediatric allergy treatment can be hard to find. Allergy shots usually are not safe for kids under age 7. Medications can help temporarily, but they don’t correct the underlying allergy. They also can cause side effects.
If your child has allergies, consider these options:
Avoidance—To limit your child’s exposure to allergens, restrict his time outdoors when pollens are high, and consider using HEPA filters at home. Keep rooms well ventilated, and use a dehumidifier to prevent mold. For dust allergies, launder bedding frequently, use mattress and pillow covers, and consider changing from carpet to hard flooring.
Be vigilant, but also be mindful that most allergy triggers are airborne and impossible to completely avoid. If avoidance measures are not helping, talk to your physician about the options below.
Medications—If your child’s allergies only occur for a limited time, medications may be enough to keep the symptoms at bay. Inhalers can help with asthma, topical creams address eczema, and antihistamines are useful for hay fever. If your child’s symptoms are severe, or if they last for more than four months per year, however, he may need something more. After all, medications don’t touch the allergy itself—just the outward symptoms. So, once you stop the meds, the reactions usually resume.
Immunotherapy—Immunotherapy is the only treatment having been shown to stop future allergic reactions. In kids, it even has been shown to stop the progression of allergic rhinitis into asthma. Immunotherapy starts with a liquid solution containing extracts of common pollens and other allergens. The liquid can be taken through allergy shots or under-the-tongue allergy drops (known as sublingual immunotherapy). Over time, the body develops an immunity to these allergens, so they no longer trigger an allergic response.
I favor sublingual immunotherapy drops for kids, since they avoid the pain and fear of needles. They also are safer than allergy shots, so they can be prescribed to children under 5 and dosed at home. Finally, unlike allergy shots, drops have been shown to curb food allergies, which are increasingly common for kids.
If allergies compromise your child’s quality of life, there is hope. Contact a physician about an allergy solution.
Stuart H. Agren, MD, opened the Family Allergy Clinic, in the East Valley, in 1985. He has helped more than 15,000 patients overcome food and pollen allergies using sublingual allergy drops. Peers recently chose him as a Phoenix Magazine Top Doc. His offices can be reached at (480) 827-9945. Visit the website at FamilyAllergyClinic.com.