Children with chronic nasal allergy frequently do not seek relief from the symptoms. Even though these symptoms can be severe and debilitating, these children often suffer from the allergy chronically. They get used to the discomfort and accept the misery as part of their existence, and they might not even realize the possibility of a life free of allergy.

This does not mean that their quality of life does not suffer as a result of their allergy. More often than not, they do not get a restful sleep at night due to nasal congestion. As a result, they are chronically tired and feel drowsy during the day. Their mood might suffer, not to mention the potential effect on their academic performance. The role of the parents is to recognize these symptoms and bring them to the attention of the pediatrician. An astute pediatrician will notice some physical findings during the examination, but it is always better to alert the doctor to this concern.

Why Seek Treatment?

Allergy sufferers experience a lower quality of life, but this is not the only negative impact on their lives. Children with untreated nasal allergy also suffer from more ear and sinus infections. Recurrent ear infections can cause hearing loss and speech delay, both of which can hamper a successful life.

Lack of a good night's sleep can also make a child more prone to accidents. This could translate into serious bodily harm or injury to others. Chronic suffering from nasal congestion and sleep deprivation also influences emotion and mood.

Nasal Sprays

Numerous clinical studies have proven that prescription steroid nasal sprays are by far the most effective medications for curbing nasal allergy. Not only do they work well, they also have fewer side effects because the medication remains largely inside the nose. Unlike antihistamines such as Benadryl or Claritin, these medications are not used orally, so they are not absorbed into the bloodstream and delivered all over the body.

To derive the maximum benefit from the nasal spray, your child must use it on a daily basis. Again, you could compare using the spray to brushing your teeth. You know you shouldn't brush your teeth only after you start having a toothache. By the time the pain starts, you have probably already gotten a cavity and it's too late to brush the cavity away. Similarly, you shouldn't wait until your child has a severe allergic attack to use the nasal spray. In fact, it takes the nasal spray an average of four to six days before it takes effect. It is not a medication that can be used as needed. Parents must constantly remind their allergic child and ensure that he stays on the medication during the allergy season.

Some parents are concerned about using these steroid sprays because they fear the effect of steroids on their children. This worry is unfounded because the steroid in these sprays stays in the nose only. Only an extremely minute quantity is absorbed into the body. At such low levels, the steroid cannot affect your child's hormone level in any way.

The only side effect from these nasal sprays is the possibility of an occasional nosebleed. The trick to avoiding this problem is to aim the snout of the spray container away from the middle part of the nose. Do not insert the snout of the container too far into the nostrils. If your child still experiences nosebleeds, you can try using the nose spray every other day instead of daily. This side effect can be successfully prevented in almost every child.

Antihistamines

Despite the promises of the pharmaceutical companies, new-generation antihistamines such as Claritin (generic loratadine) are not very effective at alleviating the symptoms of nasal allergy. It is true that they do not cause drowsiness, unlike the older generation antihistamines (such as Benadryl), but they also don't do much in reducing allergic symptoms. Compared with steroid nasal sprays, they are far less effective in relieving nasal congestions and sneezing.

However, these medications do have a role in managing allergic conditions. Unlike the nasal sprays, they are either dispensed in liquid form or as a tablet that melts in the mouth. Some children may not allow you to spray anything up their nose, but they might be more willing to drink a liquid medication. Secondly, because these are taken orally, they are absorbed into the body and have an effect all over. If your child experiences itchy and watery eyes in addition to nasal symptoms, your doctor might consider using oral antihistamines instead of nasal sprays to control all the symptoms together. It is also acceptable in many situations to use the antihistamine medications in conjunction with nasal sprays.

Allergy Shots

Allergy shots are also called immunotherapy in the medical field. This process works by gradually exposing the immune system to small amounts of allergic material so that the body eventually gets used to the offending allergen. This sounds good on paper, but it doesn't always work that well in real life.

First and foremost, parents who are considering taking their children for allergy shots must understand the time and financial commitment required in this treatment regimen. To even contemplate a successful treatment, the total length of time for immunotherapy is between three and five years. Parents must take their child for frequent shots, ranging from twice a week to twice a month, and must keep this schedule religiously or the therapy will not work.

Secondly, the parents must have realistic expectations. On average, only a third of children who undergo allergy shots are free from their allergy, while the allergic problem for the rest of the children may stay the same or even get worse. Certainly, immunotherapy isn't the magic bullet for allergy, despite its tremendous time and resource commitment.

That said, allergy shots could be your child's best chance of remaining allergy free for an extended period of time or even for life. This promise of hope is certainly the attraction for thousands of parents who are willing to put themselves and their children through this grueling process.