My son’s runny nose
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- May
- 21
I remember asking my mom about my allergies sometime around junior high school. She assured me I had inherited my runny nose from my grandfather, who suffered terribly from all sorts of allergies and had, apparently, handed down the faulty sinus gene to her and, eventually, to me. I’m not sure I ever forgave my poor grandfather. Now it seems I’ve done the same to my son.
The truth is my son is a trooper about it. He seems to have no recollection of a world without the occasional sneeze and a constant runny nose. Every now and then he’ll go through a particularly tough spell and his nose will look red and raw. I can relate, having had a red nose for much of my life. But that’s when the guilt is heaviest.
When he was just a baby, the doctor told us that he could outgrow his sinus problems, and I vaguely recalled my conversation with my mom about our family’s cursed sinuses. She swore my uncle Antonio outgrew his hay fever. This gave me hope, much like the doctor’s suggestion years ago gave me hope that my son would be able to breathe in peace someday.
Much of this is complicated by the fact that every year seems to be a record high for pollen and all other types of sneeze-inducing matter. So I find friends who never suffered from allergies have, in recent years, been plagued. I have been plagued for much of my life, and have gotten so weighed down by it that I’ve had instances where I was unable to function, and had to call in sick. Fortunately, that was years ago, as I’ve since discovered the magic of Allegra, and it tends to keep my sinus in check for the most part.
But what to do with my son? His mom and I have discussed taking him to an allergist, and have asked his doctor about it. The truth is I think we put it off because I don’t like the idea of my son becoming chained to a pill-a-day routine, as I am. There are shots, of course, but I’ve known few who found it gave adequate relief and, frankly, I don’t want to subject my son to that many shots for the possibility that it may perhaps work a bit.
So, what do parents out there do for the kids’ allergies? Should I break down and take him to an allergist and accept the pills or shots or whatever? Or should I do what the doctor said so many years ago, wait and hope he outgrows it? I mean, sooner or later there is going to have to be at least one Fitz-Gibbon with a sinus worth bragging about.
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on Monday, May 21st, 2007 at 3:56 pm by Jorge Fitz-Gibbon.
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Yes sinus is caused by particles in the air. One of the ways is to maintain clean air at home (sounds obvious!) by using aromatherapy. Make sure you choose the good ones. Some can even reduce the complications of a sinus. I am not sure to mention the brand but if you want, you can email me.
I think there are several questions which need to be answered in the case of your son. The first is whether or not his symptoms are bothering him or just his parents. The reality is that the pill you take once a day may be more annoying to him than the runny nose itself, in which case that is not a great option. Allegra is not the only option. If he goes the pill route their are several brands including ones like singulair which are not in the same family as benadryl and may be better tolerated. He also may only need to take the pill during certain seasons, so it is worth tracking when he is at his worst. There are also nasal sprays which may be better or worse depending on the particular person. If his symptoms or the ones that effect him are predominantly in his eyes, there are drops which may be a better option. In my experience, it is all trial and error to see what works best.
Also keep in mind that these medications just make you feel better. They do not cure anything. Therefore, your son will tend to only take something on a regular basis if it makes him feel better. You can always stop and restart medications any time.
One of the benefits of seeing an allergist is to determine exactly what he is reacting to. It may be things like dust mites or molds exclusively. These can be eliminated from the home quite effectively, thereby taking away any need for medication. Shots as you mentioned are also available, but if his allergies are infrequent and not severe, it is probably not worth the trouble as alluded to.
My suggestion therefore is to listen to your child and have him help you determine what would be his best option.
Erik Cohen
Next Generation Pediatrics
My neighbor’s son has issues as well. find a local apiary (sic-beekeeper) and get the local honey.
This seems to do wonders as the honey contains the local pollens and boosts the immunities.. ;-]
Steve,
that’s very interesting. Can you recommend any sources where I can learn more about that?
Here’s my story – for over 40 years I was on allergy shots for being allergic to the world. I couldn’t go to any kids houses that had pets or if anyone smoked, I just went into a wheezing attack. Back then it was shots and allergy pills. This really affected my social situations, no bars, no weddings (smoking in-between courses), no bowling or anything indoors where people smoked which was everywhere. Then my allergist retired – and the shots went from one shot to six shots which I had have my tolerance to gradually built up. This was a nightmare and it happened about three years ago. I started to react to the shots – swollen arms, fevers every single night I had them so I had to give them up.
I found NAET treatments. It’s acupuncture and muscle testing. You can read about it here naet.com. My life is dramatically different – I don’t live on nose sprays which cause osteoporosis for men and women! Nor do I take allergy pills unless sometimes if I get a cold that’s bad – and I now have four dogs and can vacuum my house without wheezing. I do still need my inhaler if I’m into really bad dust, but that’s about once a month now.
I was deadly allergic to wool, and still, if I’m near it my throat closes, but there is NO allergy test for it. And I have friend that had the allergy blood testing that costs thousands and for one who ends up in the hospital if she eats a nut, the test said she had no nut allergies.
Luckily my children don’t suffer as I did because they have their father’s immune system. But if they needed shots, I wouldn’t do it again, I’d do the NAET and children do handle the acupuncture well. Read about it and see if it’s for you and your son. I wouldn’t give a growing child steroids in nose sprays or inhalers lightly because they stunt bone growth – and I wouldn’t give the allergy pills without reading the side effects which are many. That’s my two cents for having lived a restricted life that’s completely changed.
Thank you all for the input.
Erik, I will take some of your advice. It certainly makes sense to see an allergist and weigh that in.
Gina, some of your symptoms actually sound like asthma to me. But sounds like you found a good way to relieve it. I’ll look into it as well. I’ve learned enough in life to know nothing should be ruled out, and anything could work.
Steve, as always, good input. And since I like honey anyway, yours sounds like a no-brainer. Thanks.
I hope all of you keep reading. Always looking for new blog ideas as well. Reach me at jfitzgib@lohud.com.
Jorge,
just look up local apiary in the area. there’s one in rockland but i am not sure if you are in rockland or westchester.
Good Luck.
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