How do you know when it's time to start your children on allergy shots?

05/05/08

tenngal0421

Topics:ALLERGY Testing , Allergy Treatment , Allergy Information , Allergy Symptoms , Allergy Relief

I have a 4 YO and at 2 YO, we had her tested, and she was allergic to many foods, animals & outdoor things! They told me that they felt if I just took her off all the food she was allergic to , that she would be OK!! Since we have moved several times, and her allergies just continue to get worse! We use Zyrtec, Allegra, Cingular, allergy eye drops & allergy noise sprays! I don't know about ya'll ... but I think this is WAY too much medicine to be giving my POOR child!!!! Her pediatrician has not mentioned anything about an allergist, just that we need to get them contained!!!
COULD SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!!! As even with ALL these medicines, my poor daughter STILL can not breath!!!!!!

THANKS!!!!!

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Answers (1)

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Kathleen MacNaughton

Hi there,

I can feel your frustration, and I have to say, it doesn't sound as though you've had a whole lot of satisfaction with your daughter's allergy/asthma treatment. While your doctor's advice to avoid her known triggers is sound, it's also not always completely possible NOR enough.

I think it's time for you to take control of your child's health and act as the advocate you have the right to be. You don't have to wait for your pediatrician to suggest an allergist. Every person with severe allergies and/or asthma should benefit from at least a consult (if not ongoing treatment) from an allergist.

An allergist can offer you a more expert approach to treating your daughter's allergies, including the possibility of allergy shots. You should be able to get her symptoms under control. Allergy shots can be used when traditional treatments are not achieving control. They can also be used when people with allergies want to eliminate, or at least reduce, the amount of allergy medicine being used. But the allergist can help you figure out if allergy shots are the right approach for your daughter, and if so, when to start them.

Best,

Kathi