What are the treatment options for infants and other young children? While medication may not always be the best option, it is sometimes the easiest solution. There are several types of anti-histamines (allergy medications) both over the counter and prescribed that are safe for children and infants. It is always best to ask your doctor about which of these medications you should try, but generally children’s liquid Zyrtec is a safe medication that is used for children with allergy symptoms (as stated on the label, ask your doctor before starting the medication for children under two years old).
If over the counter options are not helpful, your doctor may prescribe
Singulair (also known by the generic name, Montelukast). This is a daily allergy medication that is only available with a prescription from your doctor and is usually prescribed for children 6 months of age or older.
For children under 6 months old, the best practice is to try and eliminate the items they are allergic to. This can and probably should be done with kids of all ages, but it is especially important for children under 6 months old because of the limited treatment options. The good news is that the exposure infants have to foods and other items is usually much less than older kids or adults, which makes it easier to find the problem.
Foods
If your child is breast fed, its best to continue to breast feed unless directed by your doctor to do otherwise. The mother may try adjusting their diet to improve symptoms, but this may not help enough.
If your child is using formula, try switching to a different brand of the same type of formula, then a different type of formula (such as “Sensitive” or “Organic” instead of the regular line of products), and if that doesn’t help then try switching from milk based to soy based formula. You may have to try several brands of each type as it could be any number of ingredients or combination of ingredients that are causing the problem.
At 6 months old, most children have a limited diet and get the majority of their nutrients from breast milk or formula. This makes it easier to adjust their diet. Avoid any baby food products that use multiple ingredients (such as apple and banana baby food, or any combination of fruits and vegetables). Try to use actual whole foods instead of canned baby food and only serve one type of food at a time. For example, only carrots, only apples, only peas, etc. Pay close attention after the meal for skin redness, irritability, stomach problems, or any other out of the ordinary symptoms. If these arise, it would be wise to eliminate that food product from their diet.
Soaps, Detergents, and Other Items
Try to purchase products that use natural sources and avoid any type of dyes or added scents. Use scent-free wipes, and be careful of using wipes or baby products with added aloe-vera or other ingredients as these could be causing reactions. Avoid using dryer sheets, and use a dye free laundry detergent like All Free & Clear Laundry Detergent. Try to avoid any unnecessary lotions, creams, shampoos, or other items that are not necessary. The goal is to limit exposure to possible allergens and identify which items cause reactions.
Other Treatment Options
While most kids and infants cannot tolerate allergy skin testing, it may be necessary in some circumstances depending on the treatment options attempted and the child’s symptoms. It is possible to perform skin testing on children, but it is usually a long and tedious process because they cannot tolerate much allergy testing at one time.
Another option is blood testing. While this is not as accurate and is not available for every allergen, it can provide enough information to help know what allergens are causing major problems and which items should be avoided. This does require a one-time blood draw, but it’s usually something a child or infant can handle. Blood tests usually have to be ordered by a physician, especially if you are wanting insurance to cover the tests.