My poor dd (environmental allergy question)

[Chinese Pistache]

Yes, dd with all the food allergies. This year is the first time she's started having environmental allergic reactions. Her eyes are watery, her nose is running, and she's completely miserable. Do I medicate? That is the question. She's corn allergic, though we were going to trial soon anyway (she's almost 4), which is a concern because all of the OTC allergy meds contain corn). Poor, sad girl, sniffing away

[talia rose]

medication is a bandaid. usually with side effects needing more band aids. your childs body is telling you that it cannot tolerate some things. it would be best to figure out what they are and remove them from her life. only by finding the root cause of her reaction will you have a healthy child. an air purifier may also help if there are environmental causes that may take some time to fix.

[tanyalynn]

I think there are supplement-type things to help symptomatically with environmental allergies, but I never found them. My HCP, an acupuncturist, told me she had stuff that would help, but I was desperate then (and not very functional) and just went with nasty OTC stuff--it wasn't perfect, but it got me through the allergy season. I think TCM might have good supportive stuff for things like this, and then you can work on the underlying causes. But it takes time to find the right healthcare provider (I don't know how to figure out root cause for it, for anyone except me) so I don't know how to do that on your own. I think there were a couple old threads on supplement-type things to help--I agree you need to do something, and miserable is, well, miserable, so OTC while you search for something herbal/other supp type thing and a HCP seems reasonable.

[LauraLoo]

I agree - medication doesn't necessarily work the way that you want it to -- and to boot, there are often undesirable side effects.

We all have environmental allergies that have been greatly helped with taking a vitamin C and quercetin combination (natural anti-inflamatories and antihistamines - I take a capsule and the kids do a liquid version that I mix in juice.) Some people have had great success with nettles, I know. I would try googling for natural allergy remedies and see if one comes up that looks like it would work. We take these supplements year round and I've found that it takes time *initially* to work, unlike OTC and Rx meds that have a faster reaction time. So, don't give up if one doesn't work *right away* -- it just might take a little time. Also, if you can't find a supplement that works due to additives that your dd is allergic to, you might try to find out the sources for these natural remedies and try to see if you can work more of that into the diet. Overall, anything that you can do to boost and not inhibit the immune system will help. Kind of like the probiotic / antibiotic kind of thinking.

Of course, eliminating or reducing the allergen is the best course of action. We have a HEPA thingamagig on our furnace/AC as well as use a dyson vacuum. We wash sheets in hot water every week and use covers on our pillows and mattresses, religiously dust and keep decorative clutter to a minimum since dust mites are a big allergy here. I've often looked into screens for the windows that claim they capture a high percentage of airborne allergens, but haven't made the leap to get those. But unless you know what she's allergic to, these suggestions may or may not work for you.

I will also add that I have had different reactions over the years to my food and environmental allergies -- from hives to UTI's, sinus infections and so on. DS reacts to soy with a lot of sinus congestion which we confused with environmental allergies. Is it possible that her food allergy symptoms are morphing into different reactions and that she doesn't have environmental allergies? It's a long shot, I know, but something to consider. In any case, it may be another reason to try to supplement naturally and not take the leap to meds.

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by talia rose

medication is a bandaid. usually with side effects needing more band aids. your childs body is telling you that it cannot tolerate some things. it would be best to figure out what they are and remove them from her life. only by finding the root cause of her reaction will you have a healthy child. an air purifier may also help if there are environmental causes that may take some time to fix.

LOL, yes you are very right. I'm guessing you don't read this forum very often, right?

Tanya, I'll look around for a TCM. She definitely reacting to whatever is blooming outside. I'm hearing it from a lot of people in my area, not to mention that the wind is relentless. Dd's never shown signs of reactions to anything other than food; I wish the seasons were as easy to control! She's a bit better since we've been inside the rest of the day, but we'll see what tomorrow brings.

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by LauraLoo

I agree - medication doesn't necessarily work the way that you want it to -- and to boot, there are often undesirable side effects.

We all have environmental allergies that have been greatly helped with taking a vitamin C and quercetin combination (natural anti-inflamatories and antihistamines - I take a capsule and the kids do a liquid version that I mix in juice.) Some people have had great success with nettles, I know. I would try googling for natural allergy remedies and see if one comes up that looks like it would work. We take these supplements year round and I've found that it takes time *initially* to work, unlike OTC and Rx meds that have a faster reaction time. So, don't give up if one doesn't work *right away* -- it just might take a little time. Also, if you can't find a supplement that works due to additives that your dd is allergic to, you might try to find out the sources for these natural remedies and try to see if you can work more of that into the diet. Overall, anything that you can do to boost and not inhibit the immune system will help. Kind of like the probiotic / antibiotic kind of thinking.

Of course, eliminating or reducing the allergen is the best course of action. We have a HEPA thingamagig on our furnace/AC as well as use a dyson vacuum. We wash sheets in hot water every week and use covers on our pillows and mattresses, religiously dust and keep decorative clutter to a minimum since dust mites are a big allergy here. I've often looked into screens for the windows that claim they capture a high percentage of airborne allergens, but haven't made the leap to get those. But unless you know what she's allergic to, these suggestions may or may not work for you.

I will also add that I have had different reactions over the years to my food and environmental allergies -- from hives to UTI's, sinus infections and so on. DS reacts to soy with a lot of sinus congestion which we confused with environmental allergies. Is it possible that her food allergy symptoms are morphing into different reactions and that she doesn't have environmental allergies? It's a long shot, I know, but something to consider. In any case, it may be another reason to try to supplement naturally and not take the leap to meds.

Not likely. Today is a high pollen day and it's the first time she's reacted to anything with runny eyes/nose. Nothing in our house has ever bothered her. In fact, since we've stayed inside for the past couple of hours, she's done much better

Yes, we do Vit C + Quercetin. I'll have to look into nettles. Thanks. There was some reason I was wary of it, something to do with its food family, I think.

[Catt75]

Originally Posted by Chinese Pistache

Not likely. Today is a high pollen day and it's the first time she's reacted to anything with runny eyes/nose. Nothing in our house has ever bothered her. In fact, since we've stayed inside for the past couple of hours, she's done much better

Yes, we do Vit C + Quercetin. I'll have to look into nettles. Thanks. There was some reason I was wary of it, something to do with its food family, I think.

Are they not part of the nightshade family?

[tanyalynn]

You know what, CP, my experience with environmental allergens is basically what Pat thinks as well--basically a bucket theory, it has to do with detoxification--when you get past a certain level, things like environmental allergens happen. I think her husband had good results with homeopathy, but I think if I get my toxin bucket emptied a bit, my allergies will go away. It doesn't have to be a major toxin issue like mine, maybe a combination of different nutritional needs that would help with different detox pathways (vs your older kids) would be involved.

[LauraLoo]

Originally Posted by TanyaLopez

You know what, CP, my experience with environmental allergens is basically what Pat thinks as well--basically a bucket theory, it has to do with detoxification--when you get past a certain level, things like environmental allergens happen.

I would agree with this. For me, I have a lot of mild food allergies that I don't actively eliminate When my environmental allergies, that are more severe, act up I also have more noticeable problems with my food allergies. And basically, the more healthy I live, the better off I am with all of my allergies. Once the scale gets tipped, it takes a long time to get back to normal. But it isn't really normal since I don't avoid all my food allergies -- which are pretty numerous. I've said it before, but I'd probably feel a whole lot better if I avoided the food stuff that isn't good for me.

Anyway, it's always tempting for me to take OTC allergy meds when the going gets rough. But I have *nasty* reactions to every allergy med -- primarily insomnia -- which makes my system a lot weaker, obviously.

But, back to the OP -- it's great that she does better in your home because at least there's a safe haven for her. It sucks when outdoors AND indoors is bad! And on that note, there are times of the day when the pollen count, etc. are higher, although I can't remember when this is. You might want to do a little research in that area so you can try to structure when you go out and when it's better to be at home. Just another idea.

[kjbrown92]

At least the air conditioner helps for pollen, if it's A/C season where you live. There's a pollen count thing somewhere... on weather.com? I remember looking at it after DS was diagnosed with terrible ragweed allergy.

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by TanyaLopez

You know what, CP, my experience with environmental allergens is basically what Pat thinks as well--basically a bucket theory, it has to do with detoxification--when you get past a certain level, things like environmental allergens happen. I think her husband had good results with homeopathy, but I think if I get my toxin bucket emptied a bit, my allergies will go away. It doesn't have to be a major toxin issue like mine, maybe a combination of different nutritional needs that would help with different detox pathways (vs your older kids) would be involved.

Yes, hopefully working on her detox pathways will help. We've only just started with that. As far as low level allergens, she really has none, or at least, she is completely free of symptoms (good skin, poop, eyes, etc.). I need to search some of Jane's old posts because I think I recall that when she upped K2, her seasonal allergies went away.

[ellasmama2007]

cp, the enviro pollens and pollutants are getting so much worse it seems. i dont have any answers for you besides what's already been said, but i hope your dd feels better!