Cough Due to Allergies

You need to just suck it up and deal with it, it sucks I know I've done it a few times with each child :( Do not give her any allergy meds she will be better off by knowing what she's allergic to. In the mean time prop up her pillows, stay indoors, and give her a shower at night. You an call and ask if she can have benedryl it does not stay in the system as long I think it was no benedryl 2-3 days prior testing when my sons had it done which made it a little more tolerable.

Talk to the pharmacist at your pharmacy and tell them what is going on w/your daughter. They can tell you if there is an OTC non-antihi. you can get.

In the meantime, can you let her sip a tsp or Tbl of some apple cider vinegar? Its sour, I know, but ifyou mix it w/honey, it might ease some of the coughing somewhat. ACV helps break down mucus, among other wonderful things it does for the body. It might be a small quick fix for you.

GL. All the coughing and sneezing must be scary (and loud!).

This sounds goofy but... give her a glass of water with 1/8-1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in it. Allergies acidify the body. The baking soda will alkylize her system. It has been recommended as a old-time allergy remedy by an allergist. I also had it confirmed by a wholistic md. It most certainly won't hurt her. Also, she will be too young for a neti pot but you can use a saline nasal spray to help clear her nasal passages. We've done this with my son since he was about 3 if he had any congestion.

I just went through the same thing with my daughter. I felt helpless cause she coughed all night. I ended up taking her to pediatrician. She had a post nasal drip. He prescribed a nasal spray & allegra for children. A few days later symptoms stopped. I waited 10 days & stopped giving them to her & so far so good she is still fine.

I would definitely call the allergist, and find out EXACTLY how long she has to have the antihistamines out of her system prior to testing. I'd also ask them, or a pharmacist, what else you can do for her in the meantime. The vinegar/honey mentioned could help with the coughing, you might also be able to try Deslym (it's nothing more than a cough suppressant, no antihistamines), but of course, check first to make sure it won't interfere with her upcoming tests.

I'd definitely also ask them to refill her nebulizer meds now... if she's having difficulty breathing due to asthma symptoms, which could most certainly flare up if she continues coughing and experiencing the level of allergy symptoms you describe, I wouldn't want to be without that, and I believe she can continue to use a nebulizer prior to allergy testing.

I wouldn't push her tests back just to give her antihistamines for the moment, because you would just be prolonging the agony, and she'll have to go through this eventually to have the testing done.

Best wishes. I know this is hard, we just did allergy tests for my son about 6 mos ago...

Blessings...

I have one daughter that Zyrtec helped but Claritin did nothing, the other daughter was the opposite, so depends on the kid. Call on Monday and see what you CAN give her to help. Try a spoon ful of honey, it really does help!! and you know it won't interfere with the allergy testing. Postponing is not going to help, she needs the testing ASAP so that you can figure out what WILL help her and delaying it will mean no results till next winter if it is allergies.

Hi J.,

If you want to go the natural route, Elderberry extract will boost her immune system so her body is able to fight off the allergens. It won't contraindicate with anything because it is simply food. Most allergies and even asthma is a reaction to an immune system that is too weak to fight off the natural things that God gave us, like flowers, puppies, grasses, etc. The only reaction we should ever have is to dangerous synthetics like household cleaners, etc.

Principled chiropractic care will also help. With the right chiropractor, her immune system will strengthen as well. If you don't know one in your area, go to www.upcspine.com and find one. Interview them as you would a pediatrician. Ask them how chiropractic strengthens the immune system...if they don't know, you're at the wrong office. I KNOW you can get into see one today if you want too. They are all about getting rid of the cause so the body can fight off what it is supposed to.

Hope this helps.

M.
www.squidoo.com/ifyourbabycouldtalk

First, I would call and see if you can get her in sooner. If not, then I would still wait it out. You need to have her evaluated by an allergist in order to get her the best treatment options possible. Stay inside with the windows closed as much as possible...it may seem like forever but really it's only a week. She is going to have to deal with these allergies for the rest of her life...get her the best care you can now so that she won't have to suffer needlessly for years. My son has allergies, too, and the spring is extremely h*** o* him but we see the allergist at the beginning of every year to talk about the previous year and how he fared and we get new meds if needed. Best of luck!

OMG-same exact thing going on here! My 7 yo is miserable this season-we were up all night long with coughing and congestion. I gave him some albuterol and that helped at least enough to get him comfortable. I also wonder if the Zyrtec (which used to totally do the trick) is still working right and was thinking towards trying Claritin. I am going to make him an appt with his ped allergist this morning. You are really going to notice a difference when you see one. I would call the ped allergist you are planning to see and get their thoughts. If it were me I would probably medicate. The thing is -you already KNOW she is allgergic to something b/c she has all the symptoms. It is most likely seasonal and outdoor too. Knowing WHAT she is allergic to will not really change anything you do at this point. You can't really avoid going outside. I would wait until things are under control before you test for specifics. I would also get the nebulizer going-it is not only for wheezing-it works great for the coughing as well.

Just saw your update-if you don't mind will you post back after the docs about what they said about Zyrtec vs Claritin?? That would help me out immensely as I am not going to be able to get in until next week. THX!