What are your thoughts on antihistamines for moderate seasonal allergies?

[mamakay]

For the past few days, ds, almost 2, has had watery eyes and a runny nose, and been sneezing a lot. No other symptoms, and he hasn't been acting "sick".
This morning he had kind of bloodshot eyes, as well, and his cheek is getting a little red from his wiping snot on it.
I'm not sure if I should take him to the doctor for this or not...or maybe try an OTC children's antihistamine (if they even make them for children that young...I am totally inexperienced in this area!)
Are antihistamines potentially dangerous?
I get seasonal allergies every few years, and it usually just goes away after a week or so with no pharmaceutical intervention, but I'm not entirely comfortable using this "leave it be and it'll be OK" philosophy with my ds, considering I know nothing about allergies.
What do you think?

[Marsupialmom]

Antihistimines made a night and day difference in my son's behavior at that age. His allergies made him soooo miserable. I would do it if he seem really bad.

[mamakay]

Originally Posted by Marsupialmom

Antihistimines made a night and day difference in my son's behavior at that age. His allergies made him soooo miserable. I would do it if he seem really bad.

He's not miserable, though.
The only time he even notices is when he's wiping his nose (with his hand ) and seems frustrated by it and the messiness. Or when I'm cleaning his face of the snot...he really hates that...
Basically, he's as happy-go-lucky as ever.
I did a fever/pain reducer a few months back when ds had a virus that made him miserable, but this is only 1/10th that bad as far as his happiness goes.
Something about the slightly bloodshot eyes and the red cheek makes me nervous, though. It *looks* really bad, but he seems to feel fine.
His behavior hasn't changed a bit...no more frequent tantrums, and he hasn't been "clingy" like he usually gets with even a low fever. (He usually spends a few days in my lap when he feels bad).
If they seem to basically feel ok, is it ok to not do antihistamines?

[Mothra]

Antihistamines treat the symptoms, not the allergies. If he isn't bothered by the symptoms, then I'd skip it. If they do start to bother him, you can try children's benadryl. It makes most kids sleepy but can make some hyper, so you need to watch him. I don't think antihistamines are dangerous for the average kid, but every medication has possible side effects. I give Benadryl to my kids when they need it, but if they aren't bothered by the symptoms I leave them alone.

[AdoptChina]

3 of my kids take benedryl or zyrtec...they only take if for a few weeks in the spring usually (when their allergies are at their worst).....if he isnt bothered much, maybe just doing things like wiping his eyes with a wet cloth, keeping his nose clean (so it doesnt get sore) and some saline nose spray might help some

The itchy eyes, sneezing, runny nose drives my kids crazy