Allergies in little ones?

My 4.5 year old started with a runny nose yesterday and when she sneezes, she lets it shoot out all down her mouth and chin (sorry tmi!) No other symptoms--like no coughing. She woke up in the night crying pathetically about her stuffy nose and after an hour I gave her some Dristan spray. About a month ago she had a pretty brutal sinus infection for over a week.

Now, I apparently have environmental allergies, which cause sinus infections extremely often (so I relate to her discomfort). I only developed these in the last few years. I'm afraid she could be developing the same problems. Do children of this age present with environmental allergies? I will probably just take her to the doc soon, but I'd like to hear some other parents' experiences. Would she be too young to start allergy shots? Spring is just beginning.....sigh.

Actually, yes. Even small children can have allergy symptoms. If they are very bothersome to her, interupting her fun child activities, or if they are causing infection, you might consider an allergy medicine like singulair, benadryl, claritin...they all have kids versions.

This article was on yahoo a couple days ago about natural relief and prevention.
http://health.yahoo.com/experts/drmao/13...

Yes. Think about it, as her immune system is so immature, she has less resistance to the allergens around her. Try cutting down on all the chemical stuff in the house for a start, IE anti bac sprays, and airfreshners. Use more natural alternatives, vinegar, bicarb, lemons, borax washing soda to clean with. This will make her home enviorment less hostile to her system

Yes little kids do have environmental allergies. Having an air cleaner/purifier in the home or in her room is a good idea.

Vacuuming the entire house including the furniture and drapes helps too.

When you take her to the doctor let him/her know about this and ask what can help make it better for her. Ask about having Benadryl on hand and how much can be given. (This for at the moment relief). My children have taken the allergy medication prescribed by the doctor but the doctor has also stated having the Benadryl for fast relief.

Oh and be careful of the nose sprays they sometimes do worsen the situation. (Depending on how many times its used etc.). I hope this helps you out a bit. Hope your little one feels better soon. Have a good day!

yah little kids can get allergies.

I am only 16, but I have had sever allergies since I was 3 years old. She is not to young to go to the doctor for it or to get treatment for it or to have environmental allergies. the sooner you get her in, the sooner she will be better. I had to get allergy shots at that age so im sure she will be fine.

Yes they can,my kids have allergies.My daughter is very allergic to dust mites,she gets a shot for it once a week.She has had a problem since she was a little baby.Its always worse in spring.