Seasonal Allergies and Antihistamines: Experiences? Natural Alternatives?

Updated on April 14, 2011
M.O. asks from Highland Park, NJ
7 answers

Dear mamas,

My 4-year-old has seasonal allergies (pollen, etc.). This is not a health disaster or anything, but he absolutely can't sleep without over-the-counter antihistamines. Without them, he's literally coughing and crying all night. Our pediatrician absolutely recommends using these antihistamines on a nightly basis, and seems to regard the fact that they have a side-effect function as sedatives as a good thing. However, I'm concerned that my son will lose the ability to fall asleep without these things, the way adults can become dependent on sleeping pills. Has anyone had any experience with this, positive or negative? And, does anyone know of any natural alternatives to antihistamines? I do give my son a quarter-teaspoon of honey, in lieu of cough syrup, every morning, to deal with his residual coughing / sore throat, but that's not enough to help with his nightlong cough.

Thanks in advance,

Mira

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T.S.

answers from Washington DC on

My son also has issues w/ allergies, and possibly asthma (we're going to an allergist in a couple weeks), and so we have given him the Claritin's, Zyrtec's, Singulair's, etc. I'm never comfortable with CONSTANTLY doing that though (especially since he's just 19 months, and this started when he was about 12 months), so I've found a homeopathic, all natural, sugar free alternative, that I LOVE to switch up with. The brand is Hyland's and we have their Complete Allergy 4 Kids, Cold 'n Cough 4 Kids, and regular Cough 4 Kids. They're sold in Wal-Mart and are less than $5.

1 mom found this helpful

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

I try to use natural remedies and work in that field. I take alfalfa tablets. They come from the root of the alfalfa plant and are a natural antihistimine. They can be ground up and put in a food your son may like... say applesauce. Contact me for an online link to the product if this interests you.

On the honey....... get a local honey for your area. My sister just told me she read an article that if you have 2 tsp of honey locally daily that in a couple of months it will help prevent your allergies.

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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Zyrtec is amazing for my son. He is allergic to everything outdoors but never suffers b/c he takes his Zyrtec every night. His sleep has never been affected either. Sorry but natrual remedies are not going to be enough to combat real allergies. Please do not let your child suffer-try the Zyrtec.

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N.B.

answers from Jamestown on

We take Singulair before bedtime...all of us due to having seasonal allergies and asthma.

Talk to your Ped about it.

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A.C.

answers from Columbus on

If you're using benadryl or zyrtec, there are no habit-forming problems with these drugs.

You can do nasal irrigation as a natural alternative; it basically washes the allergens out of the nose. Your son may balk at this (it consists of passively or actively letting saline solution run out his nose, with his head tipped over the skin or bathtub). Millions of people in India, and millions of allergy sufferers worldwide, use this technique.

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

our son started with Claritin at age 18 months. We moved to Zyrtec by age ?4....& he continued on Zyrtec until his allergies settled down. We noticed zero side effects & applauded his marked relief at having few allergy symptoms to deal with. At the time we were going thru this, all of these drugs were prescription only.

I take daily allergy meds. Singulair in the morning for my asthma & Zyrtec at night. My dr recommended this regimen & it has worked well for me.

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

My youngest takes zyrtec daily in the spring/early summer and he has no problem going to sleep when he is not on them. Zyrtec and benedryl can make you sleepy but I take zyrtec in the morning no problem and clariton is supposed to be non drowsy.

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