Allergies? - Billings,MT

Updated on May 28, 2009
C.C. asks from Billings, MT
17 answers

Hey ladies! I have had allergies since I was a teenager and they keep getting worse every year! They are especially bad when I visit friends and family in Oregon. We are talking swollen itchy eyes, itchy throat/roof of mouth, runny nose, and my personal favorite...Sneezing! When I have the sneezing attack I can go for mins. at a time. Once we counted 18 in row! I have yet to find anything that will offer relief for more than 2days. Seems like Ive tried everything but the shots. Well now my 14month old son is beginning to show signs. Same symptoms as mine just not as sever. He has also been sticking his finger in his R ear. Sometime he scratches it so much he cuts himself. I'm not sure if its related or just a habit because he was doing it before the allergy symptoms began to show. I'm not too keen on giving him anything for it since he is so young and just now 20lbs but poor little guy is so miserable! I don't even know if there is anything I can give him. I saw something in the store that is suppose to help that is drug free (but cant remember the name now). Have any of you had luck with anything?

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So What Happened?

WOW!! You are all unbelievable! I am so grateful for this site and for those of you who took the time to respond to our request.My husband and I are discussing some of the options resulting from the advice you gave before we make a decision. We drink tons of water, are pretty careful about what we eat, and are picky on the products we use but are open to changing some things. So thank you everyone for your help!

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S.M.

answers from Casper on

melaleuca has a grapeseed extract that I have heard amazing stories about. I hate melaleuca, so if you can find it elsewhere so much the better, but try it!

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S.L.

answers from Salt Lake City on

My dr. suggested 1/2 teaspoon of Zyrtec. I found a Western Family brand with the same ingredients, but cheaper.

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J.B.

answers from Denver on

Long story short, I've done it all for allergies, even the shots. Nothing has given me relief. I have tried every home remedy, too.

Your child is scratching his ear is because of his allergies, my ears would also get irritated with springtime allergies. Clariten worked the best of the meds, but nothing really helped me. I would just wait until mid-July to feel well again.

I've finally found relief. Last year, I began taking Quercetin before the worst of my allergy season (spring). As the pollen increased, I took more Quercetin. Quercetin is a naturally occurring bioflavonid that supports healthy histamine levels (a type of natural anti-histamine). You'd have to talk to a health care provided about dosage for a 14 mo old. I managed last spring without medicines.

Now for the good news for your child. There is a natural remedy for inflammation (allergies are inflammation). I began this remedy this spring with the Quercetin. You can take it without Quercetin, if you decide not to try the Quercetin.

Purchase organic RAW apple cider vinegar (Braggs) and honey at a whole foods store. In a blender mix one cup vinegar and one cup honey (the recipe also calls for 8 cloves of garlic, but you might not be able to get him to drink it with the garlic. Perhaps you could try one or two cloves of garlic in the blender and see what that does to the taste.) If you make this without the garlic, then you can keep it on the counter, if you use garlic, then keep it in the refrigerator.

With each meal and at bed time give your son a small glass (4 ounces) of water (you can also add it to juice) with one teaspoon of the remedy. Apple cider vinegar is a wonder food. It helps to bring the body’s alkaline levels to normal. You’ll want to read this> http://www.babybites.info/2009/05/21/kids-ph/ and this http://www.babybites.info/2009/05/19/home-remedies/

It’s mid-May and I feel normal. It’s unbelievable to me, but I do. It took me 50 years to find the cure. I’m glad I did.

One more thought: apple skin contains large amounts of Quercetin...about 4 milligrams. So now you see why apple cider vinegar works so well. In addition to the remedy, have your son eat LOTS of apples with the skin. You'll want organic apples, with NO pesticides sprayed on the skins.

1 mom found this helpful
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V.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

My daughter has allergies to tree nuts (almonds, walnuts) as well as thin-skinned fruits, including pears, plums and apples, and she cannot eat these or drink any juices containing these fruits. Her symptoms include itchy ears and throat. You should get your son tested, as food allergies can be serious. A good pediatric allergist in Salt Lake is Dr. Jan Broadbent. She was recommended by our pediatrician. Good Luck!

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G.L.

answers from Denver on

Hi C.,
What a bummer allergies can be. Food can be a major culprit. But what your describing sounds like Hayfever. If you notice your "heightened" allergic times is there anything iin common? Certain plants, places, things? It's good to keep a diary that you can carry so you remember what triggered the reaction.

Homeopaths, naturopaths & even acupuncture have helped many (including myself :0) with allergies.

For your little man ears & nose are normal sign of allergies. For a food allergy it goes eczema, ears & nose issues (runny, sneezing, ear aches, pulling, infections & such), then asthma.
Have a happy & healthy life! G

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J.L.

answers from Pocatello on

Something you and your son may want to look into is NAET. It's an acupressure (no needles) way of treating allergies. My in-laws and I have tried this with quite a bit of success. The process is quick, easy, completely painless, and your little one can do it (I took my 2 year old). You can find a practitioner in your area at the website:

http://www.naet.com/subscribers/drnamerica.html

Although each treatment is very quick it will take quite a bit of time because they have to treat each allergy separately and they can only do one a day at most. The results should be permanent.

If this doesn't work or you don't want to try it I would also seriously consider shots. My husband did shots before we knew about NAET and they have worked tremendously well. He used to itch everywhere and went into anaphylactic shock several times. Now he just gets a little bit itchy when allergy season is at it's worst.

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A.B.

answers from Spokane on

I grew up in SW Washington and was miserable with allergies my whole life that I lived there. I did do allergy shots for some years before my insurance changed and I was unable to continue. I wish I would have completed them, though it will take several (3-5 years) to complete immunotherapy. I did them for a year when I was about 12 yrs old and completely got rid of my allergy to dogs...in the years since (I am now 31) I have picked up some new allergies and I'm still miserable every time I got back to SW Washing to visit. I am hoping to start up with immunotherapy again in the future. A good time to start would be a time of year when your allergies are not bothering you. If you are having even minute allergy symptoms when you go in for a shot you will not be able to progress.

My daughter has always gotten little runny noses and sneezes whenever my allergy symptoms have been bothering me her entire life and I've noticed an increase in severity with her as well (she is almost 2 1/2). I haven't yet had the opportunity to speak with an allergist about her symptoms yet but hope to do so in about a year when my husband finishes school. Until then I try to make sure she has lots of water to drink and once her symptoms start to interfere with her sleep and are making her miserable during the day I give her some Benedryl. I only give her half the dose the doctor recommended for her and it clears her up pretty well without making her super drowsy. I know that there is a Childrens Claritin on the market right now as well but it's marketed for children over the age of 2 and since my daughter has been doing so well with minimal dosages of Benedryl I've just stuck with it. There are a number of herbal supplements and non-regulated products marketed for childrens allergies but because they haven't been tested they make me nervous. I would ask your pediatrician what he recommends.

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A.S.

answers from Denver on

I have much the same problem with allergies. I eventually did go and get allergy shots. It was worth it - I still have allergies, but they are very much reduced (I can live with the symptoms now). I also started thinking that my son must have my allergies - he was showing the same symptoms. I took him to the doctor - he was about 24 months old - and he didn't have ANY allergies. Not one. He was just sick - the doctor wound up having to give him some antibiotics, for his ear infection. It's best not to assume these things - allergy symptoms, cold symptoms, ear infections, and teething can mimic some of the same symptoms. After saying that...when he was younger than 2 years, I did find a product that can be smeared under the baby's nose that is supposed to help capture the allergens. It didn't seem to work - but then, my son didn't have allergies. We found it in the baby medicine section of Walgreens. I think it's called "Little Allergies" or something similar - pretty harmless - I can't think of how it could hurt. But I do recommend taking him to a doctor and getting him checked for an ear infection, and then, when he turns two, getting him checked for allergies.

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K.D.

answers from Denver on

Nasal rinses have helped my sons, my mom and me. I'm able to go without any meds with them, although I wasn't as severe as you. My son and mom use Nasonex and Allegra. I have Veramist for when I need it (it lasts me for months). Our littlest son uses nothing for the most part other than the rinses. For such a little guy, you can do nasal spray to soften the mucous, one or two drops each side, let set for a minute or two and then use a bulb syringe to clean out. He won't like it, but he'll get used to it. Our son was 11 mos. when we had to start doing it for him. It really helped. A big plus, he could effectively blow his nose for himself before 18 months, so we quit doing the others. Hope that helps. I know allergies are miserable! If you have a good allergist, it might be time for a visit. If your son is so miserable, he may not be eating like he should, so trying meds, at least for short term may help him gain weight. You know how hard it is to eat when your stuffed up. :) Hope you both feel better really soon!

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A.M.

answers from Denver on

Hi C.. I can feel your misery! I struggled with my allergies since I was born and have found a natural solution that works wonders- your son could even use it. If you are interested in learning a drug-free way to have relief, email me at ____@____.com other thought is to look at food allergies for you and your son. Its counter-intuitive, but food allergies will actually exacerbate your pollen allergies. Good luck and I hope to hear from you!

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C.B.

answers from Denver on

I have had luck with the Hylands Allergy Relief formula that is a homeopathic. I too travel to visit family in Oregon and have the same problem. This last time I used the Hylands the whole time, but was pretty good. I had a few times of watery eyes, but nothing like I am used to.

I know some Naturopathic doctors can do a process that actually takes the allergy away. I live in Breckenridge, so I know Dr. Justin Pollack performs this process and has about a 65% success rate (which is better than the shots and scratch tests). He might be able to help you find a doctor in your area. Good luck, I feel for you and know what you are going through

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D.K.

answers from Denver on

I am so sorry your allergies are so awful.
I can say they cannot test for allergies until they are two especially seasonal. Teething mimics a lot of allergy type symptoms, even ear infections reared their heads for my kids during teething, the slobbering, watery eyes, clear runny nose, even a little cough from the excess mucus/slobber.
I wouldn't give him anything without talking to your Dr.
I know both of my kids have seasonal allergy issues and they allowed Benadryl after the 2 year mark if they really were miserable. You can use saline drops to clean out his nose and keep his windows in his room shut at night and during the day, bathe him nightly was a big one as they pick up allergens while outside then carry them into their bedding which makes it worse at night.
If he isn't running a fever, I wouldn't worry too much about his ear, he may have an infection which 50% of the time will clear up by themselves as long as he isn't in pain.
If you are truly concerned take him to the Dr just to be sure.
Babies don't have sinuses like we have, they aren't developed yet and not sure what age they do...good luck.

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S.T.

answers from Denver on

Hi C.,
Here are some all natural suggestions that can help both of you. Sounds like it is likely environmental allergies over food allergies, but some people like me have both. The things that help me the most with my seasonal allergies and my cat allergies are a good quality air unit (visit livinghealthiernow.com and click the air quality tab for some articles I've written as well as the unit that I have) plus an organic young barley grass called Jade Greenzymes. I've actually taken the air unit to my neighbor's house to watch a movie and did not react to their cat. The Jade Greenzymes stop my reaction as well. They are a food, so they are safe to give to kids and pets. The other thing I highly recommend is making sure you both are well hydrated with good quality bio-available water. Asthma is another one of those conditions that can result from dehydration. Got some articles on that website under the water tab on the importance, how to shop and the ones I use. Finally, look at your cleaning products and your personal care products too. My kids shampoo had 6 toxic ingredients in it! My botanical skin care system had 2-6 of the toxic 12 ingredients in each product. What you touch is in your blood in 30 seconds. This includes your laundry products. Passionate about educating people on the impact of environmental toxins on their health. Check out the website and let me know what questions you have. I'll always show you the least expensive way to get any of the technologies too. I can also email you some other testimonials on what worked well with people.
Take care.
S.

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S.K.

answers from Denver on

HI C.,

My two boys, ages 3 and 5, myself and my husband all go to Colorado allergy and see Dr. Nan--She is the best! If you really want help, go see her. Go to coloradoallergy.com for 3 different locations. She will be help you change your life!

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B.P.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Drink lots of water! Also, add some sea salt or Himalayan salt to your drinking water. 1/4 teaspoon per quart of water. Your body needs salt to be able to use the water you drink. Have you noticed that when you do all of a sudden drink more water than you are used to, about 10 minutes later you are going to the bathroom? That is because your body doesn't have the salt to be able to hydrate your body. The water - for your allergies - will help moisten up your blood stream for it to be able to cope with the things that are making you sneeze and swell up. About half your body weight in ounces is all the water you need! :) Hope this helps!

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L.C.

answers from Denver on

Hi C.,

Have you tried essential oils for your allergies?
There are a few things you can do, but much to type up, so give me a call if you are interested!

L.
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A.A.

answers from Denver on

Hi C.,

I recommend Body Balance. It completely got rid of my allergies and has helped tons of people I know. It's something that you and your son can take every day to give the body what it needs... when the body gets what it needs, it works the way it's meant to. In our culture, we have TONS of symptoms and health issues (such as allergies, ADD/ADHD, asthma, PMS, etc) that we think are normal because they are so common. They are actually not normal at all, and most of them are caused by nutritional deficiency. This is a great solution:

http://www.mylifeforce.net/amystarr/body-balance.html

Let me know if you have any questions!

A.

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