Advice Re: Natural Treatment of 2-Year-old with Seasonal Allergies

Updated on May 09, 2008
D.M. asks from Bronx, NY
8 answers

Hi Moms,
My 2-year-old son, Ryan, has been exhibiting signs of hay fever for the past appx. 2 weeks -- stuffy runny nose, sneezes a lot. No fever, personality is basically the same (except he is entering the terrible twos more each day, but that's another question for another day!). He still sleeps through the night but it is a restless sleep due to the fact that he has difficulty sleeping from inability to breathe through his nose, sneezing and runny nose -- I have to change his sheets often due to mucus secretions (sorry if that grosses anyone out).

I keep our indoor environment clean, but I can't answer for his father, who he is with for the first half of each week. I don't have to open the windows too often because the apartment stays nice and cool due to no direct exposure to the sun (although still a bright, sunny apt.!)

I am a chiropractor and would like to adjust him, but as he's gotten older and more aware of things and his ability to control them, he resists the adjustment fiercely, so I don't force it because I don't want to traumatize him. I have him on a multi-vitamin, and his nutrition, at least when he is with me, is good, I limit junk and he eats fruits, veggies, whole grains, meat and chicken.

The only thing I could find on the internet so far was to give a multi vitamin, and that seasonal allergies are rare in children under 3 because they need to have prolonged exposure to the offending substance to develop the allergy, although genetics plays a role, and both his father and I have allergies (mine were mostly only to animals until recently, within the last few years if I am in a particularly rural area I do get irritated by pollen).

I have an appt. w/ his pediatrician's office, but one of the docs there already called me and without even seeing him recommended Zyrtec or Claritin (with the recommended child doses) once daily. That approach drives me crazy, I don't want to do it.

So, there you have it, all the facts -- sorry so long! Does anyone have any experience with this who can shed some light on how to deal? Thanks so much, and Happy Mother's Day to you all!

- D.

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So What Happened?

Wow, thanks so much everyone for all your great advice. I just wanted to let you all know I'll be trying several of the ideas you gave me, and for those of you who are going through it as well, I wanted to let you know there are children's homeopathic remedies for seasonal allergies -- the product I picked up today is specific for the general allergy symptoms, and there are also remedies specific to the seasonal offenders (the employee at the health food store told me he can't keep them on the shelf for too long, they are in such high demand!). I started using it today as the bottle prescribed, half a dropper under the tongue every 2 hours (this lasts until symptoms ease, then reduce to once every 4 hours), and I've already noticed some improvement in Ryan's symptoms, although they do return, so I'm going to keep trying this for a while. I've also resorted to the classic Vicks Vapo Rub (remember that when we were children?) but I've been using the "on the feet" technique (this technique is really for night-time coughs, not congestion but I liked the idea) for the past 2 nights. The first night it was just the Vicks and he slept much better but I could still hear the congestion in his breathing. Tonight he got the Vicks and his last homeopathic dose right before bed, and he is breathing normally, like he doesn't have any allergies!

Sorry for the long-winded response (AGAIN! I sure can be verbose...), but I wanted to share what is going on so that if anyone else is having trouble, maybe I can help her the way all of you helped me. Thank you tons, everyone, and once again, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! Enjoy it, we all deserve a day of recognition and extra TLC!

Featured Answers

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S.H.

answers from New York on

Hi D....... I am a massage therapist and I am in the same thinking you are with medication. Have you tried a Neti Pot to clean out the nasal passages. He may not let you do it but it might be worth a try. I would also say maybe try to get him on a massage table and they could do some point work to help the conjestion. Hope it gets better soon!!!!

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T.M.

answers from New York on

I would suggest a saline spray. It washes a lot of allergens out. It's also all natural so I would try it before you try any medication.

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R.T.

answers from New York on

Hi D.,

Nettle is a great natural antihistamine, and works wonders with allergies, especially hayfever. You can make a tea with it, maybe add some peppermint to it to make it more flavorful.

Good luck!

R.

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J.M.

answers from New York on

Hi D.,
There is a lot of controversy regarding children and at what age they can develop allergies. My daughter was diagnosed with peanut allergy at 8 months. Seek out a GOOD pediatric allergist. In the mean time, do some research regarding LOCALLY GROWN HONEY. Studies have shown that the minute amounts of local allergy left in unprocessed honey can, over time, build up an immunity to the local pollens causing common allergies. A few teaspoons a day can help both children and adults. I am trying it with my kids but have just started only 1 week ago. I can't say if it is working for us yet. At the least it is a natural way of dealing with it and if it works great. If not, I have found my children prefer the honey to syrup with pancakes, waffles, and on toast so it is a nice sweet alternative to have in the house!
Good luck! Jen

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J.H.

answers from New York on

Hi I'm glad that you choose a more natural approach of care for your child . Because some of the remedies on the market do not help to overall improve the quality the health of that individuals need . It's a temporay fix and by temp. I mean a couple of hours. I'm going to give a site I would like for you to explore. The products are natural and are safe for children. I also take and give them to my children. And if you e-mail me @ ____@____.com I will foward info. on hayfever to you. The site.http://healthyhart.usana.com

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A.B.

answers from New York on

Dear D.,

My son had very similar allergy issues like your son. I too was not a fan of Claritin but ended up giving my son a dose during a really stuffy nose period. He was a different child, not in a good way. Don't know how else to say it but it was almost as if he were high. He bounced off the walls, super aggressive and spun like a top until the dosage wore off. Literally 10 minutes after taking it till 4 hours later. My girlfriend whose son is 3 was also told to give her son Claritin and very similar reaction. We were mortified. Threw out the Claritin, cleaned the house, bought an air purifier for everyroom my son is in and the allergies eased up. You have no control over the dad's house but as you are co-parenting you should be able to tell him how to make your son more comfortable. No use in doing it in your house if dad isn't doing it in his. Best of luck. A. B.

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S.B.

answers from New York on

Hi!
I would recommend buying LOCAL bee pollen and adding to his COLD foods or drinks... it does not taste bad at all and my kids have no problem eating it in yogurts, cereal juice... It takes several months to take effect, but I started it last year after my older son, how is now 8 started to get really itchy sore eyes, running nose etc.. and I noticed a marked improvement this year... I dont know how bad your son is experiencing allergies, but I think this is a great natural way to start to build immunity to local allergens. But obvioulsy it has to be local pollen so the bees are collecting from whatever it is your child is being affected by... and it has to be served in COLD foods/drinks...

I also understand that keeping a cold humidifier on all year is supposedly helpful for dust/dander indoor allergies....?

S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.M.

answers from New York on

My son, also 2, has had allergies practically since birth. When he was a few months old, it started with him crying because he couldn't breathe out of his nose. I make soap and have essential oils on hand. After about a week of little sleep because of his waking, I thought about peppermint oil. I put some water in a pot (this pot will only be used for this purpose from now on because of the oil- so use one you don't care to ruin), once it boiled, I removed it and added a few drops of peppermint essential oil and placed it in the room where he slept next to his cool mist humidifier. Not only did the whole house smell like a peppermint candy factory but it also helped clear his sinuses. We heat up the pot every 4-6 hours as necessary. I have chronic sinusitis and sometimes I feel my son has inherited this.

Before we do this, we also put a few drops of saline solution in his nose while his laying on the changing tables every time we change his diaper. (We made it a game and count 1,2,3 for each nostril). When he gets very stuffy we also suction his nose. Hope this helps. Good luck!

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