(http://www.sxc.hu/photo/803403)
Dear God, will the pollen never stop?
Spring brings me nothing but contradiction, as I simultaneously yearn for hay fever season to end for my allergic kid’s sake and wish to hold summer off for as long as possible.
I love summer, I really do. No one gets very sick around here, and my Asthma Girl gets to stop her maintenance meds. No pollen = no runny nose for her sister. And is there are parent alive who doesn’t appreciate the reduced laundry load that is shorts and tank top weather? Plus, this is the beach we go to at all the time:
Jealous?
Don’t be. Or at least, temper your jealousy with the knowledge that late July and early August means 100+ heat index and no one here–I mean no one–goes outside unless they’re getting into a large body of water somewhere. This part of Florida is the very last place you’d want to be in late summer.
But mainly I dread the start of summer because it’s our longest season. Even the beach loses its luster when enough time passes and enough humidity soaks the air, and August feels as tedious to us as February does to my more northern neighbors. That nice warm sunshine gets real old after four months, especially when it starts burning the grass.
So I want spring to stick around, only without all the pollen in the air. You allergy sufferers know the feeling I’m sure, the way spring’s breezes aren’t very refreshing so much as they are pure misery for your nose, tear ducts, and throat. In fact, that’s why I’m asking for your help.
I’ve got my 6 year-old’s allergy medication prescription for desloratadine in front of me, and I’m wondering: should I call in the refill and start her meds up for the season or should I make an appointment with the pediatrician to talk about a low-steroid nasal spray instead?
Some facts you need:
1. This prescription usually works okay, but sometimes she winds up with an ear infection despite it.
2. Her stomach tolerates no other oral antihistamine so far.
3. She has bad nasal symptoms but also gets the occasional weepy allergic eyes, and I’m fairly certain the nose spray wouldn’t help that.
4. I’d rather not put her on both if I can help it
Anyone who knows more about hay fever than me–and that’s probably all of you–do you have a preference for your allergies or your kid’s?
Do you stick with oral meds or use the sprays? Does one work better than the other? Any major differences in side effects?
An Asthma Mom really wants to know.
Hi Amy,
I do have some hayfever, etc. I’ve never had perscription meds for it. When it’s really bad, I will occasionally take an oral antihistamine. Personally I really hate taking antihistamines because they dry *everything* up and I’d rather put up with the watery eyes & sneezing (though again, I don’t have it really bad so this may not be a fair comparison). For me the cure is more uncomforable than the allergy. (espeically those 24hour ones – ugggghhhh) I will take a short-acting one to help me sleep if I’m desparate.
I would be interested in the nasal spray instead as it sounds like it would work more locally. Your pediatrician or allergist might have some good insights about treating the whole body vs. local systems. Perhaps there is a benefit to the whole-body treatment.
Not too helpful but I thought I’d share my own adult preferences
Andie
I’m laughing at your comment “Even the beach loses its luster when enough time passes”. Who knew?
I don’t have allergies so can’t help with your dilemma. Have you checked with her doc to see what the trade offs are?
Hi Andie,
No, that is helpful. Because I don’t take allergy meds, and she’s really too young to tell me what she hates worse–the antihistamines or the actual allergies, as you said. That’s pretty much why I’m considering the spray. Thanks for your input!
AG–you’d be surprised.
I haven’t talked to the dr. yet, but I’ll be going next week–mostly I wanted to hear the parent and/or patient side of things, as always.
I am with you on Spring being my favorite time of year, and I’m with you on hating pollen. Last year was a miserable year for Allergies. Even though I’ve struggled with this all my life, my doctor and I still haven’t come up with an effective game plan.
There are new allergy medicines developed especially for asthmatics. One doctor I work with and respect highly recommends that all asthmatics be on singulair. I’m going to try it this year and see how it goes.
I will definitely keep you posted on how this works, because it it does work I’m gonna be one happy asthmatic.
OH! *slaps forehead*
I can’t believe I forgot about Singulair–thanks Rick! We tried it years ago with AG’s asthma and she doesn’t tolerate it well, so I’ve never considered it for my allergic daughter. That’s a great idea–I know so many people who swear by singulair.