DD has really bad allergies this year and nothing seems to help. I really would like for her body to build up a defense, but I am not an allergy expert. I would hate for it to come down to a shot. We've tried Tylenol Allergy, and Loratadine, ZiCam, Benadryl, Pseudophrine. Is there anything that particularly works good for you or your kids? She's 12.

By Kaye on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 10:57 pm:

I have on ekid on singulair and it is great for him.

By Pamt on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 11:17 pm:

I would take her to a doctor. It depends on what she is allergic too. In addition to the OTC things like Claritin or Allegra, something like prescription like Flonase or Ristalin may be needed...or it could be as simple as identifying what she is allergic and avoiding it. I'd see an allergist and go from there.

BTW, my oldest DS is VERY allergic, but he builds up tolerance to antihistimines and we have to switch them up every few months to keep them effective. I definitely wouldn't give her anything like Benedryl. While it is the most potent antihistimine, I believe, it makes me unable to focus and I get soooo sleepy.

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 05:54 am:

You have to take her to an allergist and find out what she's allergic to and what she should take. The over-the-counter stuff works for short-term allergic reactions, but I wouldn't want to use it long term without a doctor's advice. My ENT just told me yesterday that my sinus problems are caused by being more allergic to more stuff, and prescribed Allegra (I've never taken it before). He also told me that Sudafed and the other psuedepehedrine can make you hyper and not to take it at night. As much as I try to know about my meds and my body, I hadn't known that - and it explains some sleepless nights I've had recently. He also told me that some of the OTC (and prescripton) sprays work well short term but if you keep using them you can get a back-lash - they stop working and the allergic reaction is worse than before. So all of this is not something that should be done without medical advice.

As for building up a defense, I don't know if that works or not. I strongly think you need to take her to an allergist.

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 06:24 am:

Ditto Pam and Ginny. It would be best to see an allergist and go from there. Our Asthma/Allergy specialist has been wonderful. Both my kids have asthma and allergies. They're both on Claritin now. DD has tried Singulair but it had no effect for her at all. She was also on Zyrtec for a couple months but we took her off it because it made her very irritable. Different meds work differently for different people and different allergies.

One thing you could do that would probably be a big help is to put a HEPA air cleaner in her bedroom. There are also allergy mattress and pillow covers.

By Sandysmom on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 08:00 am:

Thanks so much for the advice ladies. She woke up this morning feeling better. Last night before she went to bed, I had her take a really long shower with as hot a water as she could stand, then she took medicine before going to bed and said she felt better this morning, which is a miracle because that is when she usually feels the worst. I still want to take her to the Dr. The earliest I can get her in is Tues.

By Vicki on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 08:17 am:

Dd had some spring allergy this year. Never has had problems in the past, but did this wear. I put her on Claritin and it made a huge difference. I have had air cleaners in our bedrooms for years, so that was nothing new. What ever it was in the air that she is allergic to must be done because she is off the Claritin and fine now!

By Debbie on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 08:34 am:

My dks are having a very hard time with allergies this Spring. They were both on Zyrtec, which worked great, but our insurance stopped covering it. We tried Clariton, it did nothing. Both my boys are now on Allegra and my youngest is on Singulair too. This seems to be working for them.

Glad you got her an appt. with her doctor. Hopefully, they can get her on something that will work for her.

By Tripletmom on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 08:58 am:

No advice.I hope you get it figured out soon.

By Cocoabutter on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 02:21 pm:

I am actually having a terrible time with my allergies. I can't remember when I have had a spring season this bad. Loratadine does nothing for me, so Allavert and Claritin are out. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) makes me sleepy, so I take it at night. But during the day, I am fighting off sneezes and so on. I am thinking an appointment with my doctor is unavoidable. I can't go on like this.

I was tested when I was 14 for allergies, and I was found to be allergic to just about everything outside. I was tested again at 30, to find out much the same thing, except I am not as allergic to trees as I used to be. I can't afford allergy shots, and they never really worked for me anyway. I was told by my aunt, who is a doctor, that I might outgrow them in about 10 years.

I hope your dd gets some relief. The earlier she gets treatment for her allergies, the more effective the treatment will be. Good Luck!

By Tklinreston on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 02:22 pm:

My ds takes Zyrtec and Singulair. If his sinuses are particularly bad, I give him Nasonex. I started him on the Zyrtec and Singulair approximately 3 weeks prior to the start of the allergy season as recommended by his dr. He is doing so much better this year as opposed to last year. As for me, I tried different medications, but Allegra-D works the best for me. I hope you'll find what works best for your dd soon. Good luck!