Topic Overview
Children with
have the same treatment options as
adults. They should avoid substances that trigger their allergies (). And
they usually need to use medicine to control symptoms. Your child may also get
allergy shots.
Don't give medicines to your child without
talking to your child's doctor. You and the doctor will be able to find the
right kind of medicine for your child. The medicine you and your doctor choose will depend on your child's symptoms and
the possible side effects from taking medicine.
Nasal corticosteroids
- Nasal
are the most effective medicine for
treating allergic rhinitis in children. There are different medicines, such as
triamcinolone (Nasacort), budesonide (Rhinocort), ciclesonide
(Omnaris), or fluticasone (Flonase or Veramyst). All of them
work well.
- Nasal corticosteroids have few
side effects.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines come in different forms, such as pills, liquid, dissolvable tablets, eyedrops, or nasal sprays.
- are available in
over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and
loratadine (Claritin).
- Some antihistamines are available by prescription.
They include desloratadine (Clarinex), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and azelastine
(Astelin).
- Some medicines may make your child sleepy. But your child's doctor may be able to start your child on a medicine that won't make him or her sleepy.
Leukotriene modifiers
- Leukotriene modifiers, such as montelukast
(Singulair), come in tablet, liquid, or
granule form.
- Montelukast may be prescribed for children with allergic
rhinitis who also have asthma.
See Drug Reference
for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all
systems.)