Allergies and REALLY stuffy, congested nose

[clg1022]

Hi. My son 4 1/2 has recently started to get a really stuffy nose; worse at night for sure. So bad that sometimes he wakes at night crying b/c he can't breathe. We live in AZ, so I am not quite sure exactly when the allergy seasons are here, I suspect this is a combination of environmental allergies (hay fever, I have it bad) and food. As well I do recall this same thing happened last year similar time.

And, Yes, he eats dairy, and Yes, I am taking him off it completely for an entire week as a test. Am hoping that this will do it, but in the mean time what the heck can I do to alleviate the nose.

I have tried Olbas Oil Inhaler (he claims it burns his nose), homeopathic nose drops, Netti pot (as best I can with a squirmy 4 year old) and am trying so hard to avoid the OTC meds.

Any suggestions in addition to any known foods outside dairy that tend to cause nasal issues?

Thanks

Carrie

[mamafish9]

That was our primary symptom for salicylates sensitivity. Switching to low sals foods cleared up the stuffy nose in about a week. NOTHING helped, it really sucked while it lasted (we were nursing, and he couldn't nurse he was so stuffy, it was a mess - lots of night waking, ugh)...

[WC_hapamama]

Originally Posted by clg1022

Netti pot (as best I can with a squirmy 4 year old) and am trying so hard to avoid the OTC meds.

Try the Afrin Pure Sea saline stuff... it basically works the same as a neti pot, but the method might be a bit easier to use with a squirmy kid than a neti pot.

I've got terrible seasonal allergies myself, and short of taking allergy meds and/or decongestants, saline works best for me... or occasionally a dab of wasabi on my tongue, but I wouldn't recommend that for a kiddo.

[Sailor]

It's good that you're considering eliminating the dairy. You'd be surprised at how many people never do this, despite symptoms! I have a dairy allergy, and beyond the rash, congestion is the other symptom. As soon as I went dairy free - all my problems were gone. Good luck with that - I hope you figure it out.

You could also try an air purifier in his room. Those work wonders for me when I visit my mom.

[waluso]

I second the suggestion for saline spray. It may help some. And for DD, apples cause her to get really congested. I just retried them last week (last time was in January) and same reaction - very congested and up all night because she couldn't breath. Other foods cause different reactions. So you may have to look beyond dairy.