Allergies in a 5 Year Old

Updated on April 16, 2010
C.F. asks from Fort Worth, TX
5 answers

My 5 year old has been battling allergies since the fall. The doctor put her on Claritina (1/2 pill-5mg) and Flonase (generic version) and then we upped the Claritin about 2 months (1 pill - 10 mg) and then about 2 weeks ago they switched her to Zyrtec (1 pill- 10 mg) and of course still the Flonase.

It is not helping! What do I do? I have another appointment scheduled on Monday morning but we are running out of options at least medication wise.

We don't have any type of insurance because we make too much for Medicaid/Chips and even JPS Connections but yet we both work full time and the option to purchase insurance doesn't exist right now.

I checked with allergist this morning and I am looking at a minimum of $550 up front which we just can't afford right now.

Any advise, suggestions, ideas on what I should do that I haven't already tried. Thanks!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

S.L.

answers from Kansas City on

What is she doing? Does she sneeze, itch, rub her eyes or what? I know I have have had allergies for years and my grandchildren, some of them, are extremely bad with seasonal symptoms, food allergies, asthma, etc. They are on pretty much what your daughter is on except some take Zyrtec plus singulair and in the beginning some were on prednisone for a short time to get it under control. I would maybe see if that combination of Singulair and Zyrtec works for her if the doctor could let you try it. Also maybe Nasonex is better than the Flonase. They switched me to that and it seems better and I heard something not good about the Flonase. They're very similar though. Sometimes you have to play around with the medications to find the one that works for you best.
I hope you find a solution as allergies are very miserable plus medication expensive and sorry you don't have insurance. There must be some way to get samples to try other things and go from there.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.

answers from Augusta on

have you tried picking up an air filter for her room, changing the filters in your air conditioner.
both of my kids have allergy problems. When they get bad I give them a dose of benydryl and a dose of zrytec. They also have inhalers because of allergy induced asthma.
Also if you can find a place that sells local raw honey ( unprocessed) it will still have pollen in it and feed it to her at a teaspoon a day , in some tea or what ever she will build up a tolerance to the pollen and not have problems in the coming years, but you have to do it EVERYDAY all year , not just spring.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

I work with a non-pharmaceutical company, and this is what we give to patients suffering from allergies. All of the supplements are OTC and do not go through insurance. They are also very affordable. Pro-Vex Plus is a multi-vitamin supplement made from grape seeds that can be given to kids:
Researchers have found that in addition to strengthening your blood vessels, proanthocyanidins can attach themselves to important proteins, enhance visual acuity, and promote smoother skin.
ProVex Plus contains a potent source of proanthocyanidins—standardized grape seed extract in a patented, chemical-free system that uses no sulphur dioxide that some people are sensitive to.
Proanthocyanidins, the active ingredients in ProVex-Plus, are found in grape seeds. These unique compounds help strengthen blood vessels. They also act as antioxidants to fight free radicals and contribute to your overall health.* (Free radicals are destructive molecules that can damage your cells.)

ProVex-Plus also contains ginkgo biloba, sourced from an ancient plant that helps you maintain mental sharpness and proper blood circulation. The last ingredient in ProVex-Plus is bilberry extract, a cousin to the blueberry that helps enhance night vision.
There is also an OTC allergy medication called Counter Act Allergy that is comparable to Claritin, but made with natural products and it’s only half the cost of Claritin. There is no prescription needed and insurance doesn’t even get involved with OTC meds.
Let me know if you have any questions. We also have a family physician on staff if you have any questions.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.J.

answers from Minneapolis on

Are you sure you can't just get state insurance for your daughter alone! Not for you as parents. Most states will allow a child to get on insurance.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.D.

answers from Denver on

Consider trying the natural way using a saline nasal wash for her. If you Google saline nasal wash you'll find TONS of information on the benefits of doing nasal washes, and absolutely NO cons to doing it. What a nasal wash will do is clean the sinuses, and then keep them moist, which will dramatically reduce her sensitivity to allergens. It is also fantastic for helping clear up sinus infections. I started doing sinus washes about one year ago, and I haven't caught so much as a cold in all that time. No more itchy nose and eyes in the spring allergy season.

You can pick up a neti pot starter kit at Walmart, Walgreens, Target, any drug store. Look on the Internet for videos on how to use it. And you don't have to buy the salts. You can mix equal parts of fine sea salt with good quality baking soda, then mix 1/2 teaspoon of the salt mix with 1 cup of warm water. There is also a product called a Neil-Med sinus wash which might be easier for a 5 year old because of how it works. Check them out in the stores or online, and I'm sure you'll find something that she can use and I'm fairly certain it will change her life and reduce or eliminate her need for medications.

Good luck.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions