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Summary & Participants

Allergies can leave children feeling sniffly, teary and itchy and take their toll at play and at school. Previously, allergy remedies left children feeling foggy and tired, but today there are a variety of choices for all ages that can take care of symptoms without the unwanted side effects.

Medically Reviewed On: May 08, 2008

Webcast Transcript

ANNOUNCER: You know the signs. Itchy eyes, sneezing, runny nose, all good indications that you might be one of the 50 million Americans suffering from allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever. But what many people don't know is that over six million children experience the same problem.

BETH CORN, MD: An allergy is when the body basically over responds to something that would normally not affect the body. But in the case of an allergic person, the body sees the allergen, which is a protein, from whether it be from a tree, from grass, from ragweed, from dust, sees it as very abnormal and sees it as an offender. And therefore, tries to counteract it.

ANNOUNCER: Allergies are a tough problem to avoid. They can be caused not only by what's outside, but also by what's around the house.

MORRIS NEJAT, MD: Things that are indoors, such as dust mites and pet dander, are easier to control than things that are outdoors, such as pollen and outdoor mold spores. But still, those outdoor allergens can get into the home.

ANNOUNCER: Parents are in the best position to initially identify allergies in their children.

MORRIS NEJAT, MD: They don't really vocalize their symptoms as much. So they're not going to go to the parents and say, "Mom, Dad, my eyes itch. My nose is stuffy." Rather, the parents may notice the child clearing their throat all the time, sniffing all the time or just rubbing their eyes and being uncomfortable.

The most important thing is for parents to identify what their child is allergic to, to decrease their exposure to these allergens. The next step is to try and come up with the most benign medicines to treat your child's allergies.

ANNOUNCER: Taking care of allergy symptoms sometimes means trying prescription medications. These can block the symptoms caused by a substance in the body called histamine.

MORRIS NEJAT, MD: There are numerous classes of medications available to treat allergies in children. The most common class is antihistamines.

The next class of medication is antihistamine-decongestant combinations. The third class available is called intranasal steroids. And also, a fourth class is available, the intranasal antihistamine to treat allergies in children.

MORRIS NEJAT, MD: Traditionally, most of these are what are called sedating antihistamines or first-generation antihistamines. They're effective antihistamines, however, they can make the child tired, give them a dry mouth. But now over-the-counter, we also have a non-sedating antihistamine, which can treat allergy symptoms without impairing your child. By not causing the other side effects of sedating antihistamine, such as sedating and dryness, one has the benefits without some of the side effects.

ANNOUNCER: The way antihistamine medications are given depends on the child's age.

MORRIS NEJAT, MD: There are numerous ways to administer antihistamines to children, especially with the over-the-counter preparations. Generally, the younger child will take a syrup. Or perhaps, there are new formulations that are called Reditabs, which actually dissolve in their mouths.

As the children get older, then they may want to have the convenience of a pill rather than a syrup.

ANNOUNCER: While experts may suggest different treatments, they all agree that, untreated, allergies can cause more problems than just a runny nose.

MORRIS NEJAT, MD: Most of the sports that school-age children play in, such as football, baseball, soccer, tennis are outdoor sports, which happen in the fall and the springtime, when allergy counts are highest. Children that have symptoms of allergic rhinitis may not perform optimally.

Also, children that have allergies which may interrupt their sleep will be more tired than they would ordinarily be. So they won't have the energy to compete or the desire to compete.

A lot of children that have allergies tend to avoid social gatherings because their nose is running, they're stuffy; they always have to carry Kleenex.

ANNOUNCER: Allergies can even take their toll at school.

MORRIS NEJAT, MD: Numerous scientific studies have shown that children with allergies don't learn as well as children that don't have allergies. So one has to be very careful about the medicine they choose to treat their children with allergies.

ANNOUNCER: But as disruptive as allergies can be, effective treatment can make all the difference in the life of a child.

BETH CORN, MD: I think treatment is so pivotal in children. We always focus on adults, but it's so important in children, because of their self-esteem, which develops at a young age and you have to make a child feel secure and by treating their allergies early, I think you help with that.