I took N to the ped today to discuss possible allergies. He thinks that she has a light allergy as well and prescribed Zyrtec @ 1t. every day at bedtime. She seems to be having heavier symptoms of allergies about every 4-5 weeks, and just a SLIGHTLY stuffy nose off and on in-between. This is definitely not a serious allergy, and he said there are no signs of asthma with her (which I didn't think there were anyway).

I'm not too hot on the idea of giving her any med everyday, and after reading some of the posts here about how crazy it made their kids I'm even more against it. I went ahead and gave her some tonight, but I actually don't think I will until she shows symptoms again. He also recommended the OTC Claritin for children if my insurance wouldn't cover Zyrtec, but it did so we just filled the prescription.

What do you all think? With such light symptoms 90% of the time, and only heavier allergy symptoms the other 10%, would you just give her the med when it seems "needed"? That's what I plan to do. He recommended giving it to her when I have *my* typical allergies, but she seems to have started in over the last few months and I don't have anything until later spring and later fall.

By Tripletmom on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 09:18 am:

I'd do what your going to do too If it affects her sleep or she seems uncomfortable thats when I'd use it.I'm not familiar with Zyrtec,we don't have that in Canada.Is Zyrtec alot stronger than Claritin? If Claritin worked for her than I'd use the less stronger of the two.I remember you posting about remodeling in your house,could something new done in your house have set her off? I know in pharmacy we just started filling alot more meds for outdoor allergies,I'm not sure what could have caused her allergies in the winter months.I hate not knowing what to do,especially when it involves medication.I hope you get it figured out.((HUGS))

By Tripletmom on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 09:24 am:

I found this site.I don't know how to make a link yet lol

http://www.drpaul.com/library/28JUL2000.html

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/hay_fever/article_em.htm

By Debbie on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 09:41 am:

I think you have to do what you think is best. However, my understanding is that allergy medication is more effective if you take it daily. It takes a few days to work, so if she is already experiencing the symptoms, it will take awhile before she gets relief from it. Both my dks have allergies, theirs sound more severe then your dd. I give them their medication in the fall and spring. I start it in March, and then by the middle of June I can stop it. Then, in the fall, usually sometime in September, I start it again, and then stop it once it starts to get/stay cold.

However, like I said, you have to do what you feel is best for your dd.

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 10:45 am:

To echo Debbie, allergy medication needs to be taken on a regular basis. If the allergies are seasonal it can be stopped during off seasons, but to be effective it needs to be taken daily.

I'm one of the parents who has had bad luck with Zyrtec. DD was on it for two weeks last year and she turned into a devil child. DH, DS and DD all take Claritin daily with no problems.

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 10:49 am:

Tripletmom, I believe Zyrtec is called Reactine in Canada. Although Zyrtec is a prescription drug in the US, it appears to be OTC in Canada.

CanadaPharmacy.com - Reactine

By Tripletmom on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 10:54 am:

Great website Trina-Thanks

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 05:44 pm:

I don't know how old your child is, but here's a page that gives dosages: Dosage

Please note that the site strongly recommends that you use a medicinal teaspoon for giving this medication, as household teaspoons are not accurate.

I share your concern that if she is only having occasional symptoms, should you give the medication daily. And I think if it were my child, I would ask the pediatrician for a referral to a pediatric allergist to find out what the allergen might be. It could be something that you can handle by removing the allergen - for example, if it were wool, or a particular food.

By Reds9298 on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 09:34 pm:

Thank you everyone. I didn't know about taking the med daily to build it up. There has been so much rain here and there's water everywhere and mine have really been bugging me the last few days. I think I may have some mold allergy because when it's "wet" outside I have troubles. Our old house had a terrible wet crawl space (ALL the time) and I was sick from the day we moved in until the day we moved out.

I will continue to give it to her for a couple of weeks and see how she reacts and if it helps. Thank you!!

By Reds9298 on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 09:40 pm:

BTW Sherri - No, haven't started remodeling yet, so no changes within the house that I can think of.

By Dawnk777 on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 09:43 pm:

If you give it the same time everyday, she will have a more consistent level of the medicine, in her bloodstream, and it would be more effective. (says the woman who has a hard time doing that, with her own meds)