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Westwood-Mansfield Pediatrics
Spring is Here. . . and So are Allergies and Croup!
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Spring Allergies:
Each year, tree pollen season starts around March 15th and lasts until the end of June. During this time about 20% of kids will develop new allergies (or experience a flare up of their pre-existing allergies). Often times symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, sore throat (especially at night and early in the morning) and slight cough.
Additionally, when the greenish pollen (often oak) starts to cover our cars and the ground, children develop itchy eyes and are continually rubbing their eyes. Doing this re-injects pollen into the eyes, causing swollen eyes and a slight discharge - this causes an allergic conjunctivitis (not infectious conjunctivitis) which is not contagious. Local pollen counts can be easily followed at www.pollen.com by entering your zip code.
When to suspect allergies in your child:
1) Your child has prolonged colds (lasting more than 14-18 days) in the spring
2) Your child has itchy red eyes with very little discharge.
3) A strong family history of allergies
4) Lots of prolonged sneezing or early morning cough with sore throat
Oral Treatment (non-prescription) for the nose and eyes:
1) Zyrtec or Claritin (or generics) - these are non-sedating antihistamines that are given once daily. They are available as pills, dissolvable pills, or liquids.
The dosing is listed on the package. Claritin (Loratadine) is FDA-approved down to 2 years of age. Zyrtec (Cetirizine) has been approved for use in all people older than 6 months of age.
Eye Drops (non-prescription):
1) Zaditor (or generic Ketotifen) - very effective for the management of itchy eyes. Place 1-2 drops into each eye 2 times a day. To put into the eyes, have your child lay flat on a bed. Have them close their eyes tightly and point their nose straight up at the ceiling and place 1-2 drops in the inner corner of each eye and then have them open their eyes.
Also give them hand wipes when they are outdoors and have them wipe the pollen off their hands before they rub their eyes.
Nasal Sprays (prescription only):
1) Flonase (fluticasone) or others (Nasonex, Rhinocort, etc. . .) - very low-dose nasal steroid treatment that decreases the inflammation in the nose caused by breathing in pollen. Is your child has used these in the past, please check to see if you need refills as all allergies medications are most effective when started 2 weeks before symptoms begin!
Other Information:
All these medicines work best if they are started 1-2 weeks before your child's allergy season. Your child should come into the office if no better after being on medication for two (2) weeks.
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