children medication

our four year old grandson has very quickly developed severe allergies affecting his eyes which swell and ooze. We believe it is probably due to tree pollens which are high right now. the doctor gave my daughter a couple of prescriptions for allergy medication but we are nervous about giving a four year old allergy medication. which medications are considered to have the least side effects for young children?  are over the counter meds safer than prescriptions?

[WIZARDKID]

Benadryl Kids-
anything with kids/children
labeled for allergies should work, and if there problems in the eyes
eye drops can help to, I would advise you not see a doctor, these are very minor things,
and these minor things cost alot of money, but its majorly up to you,

WIZARDKID-  

[clairesse]

thanks so much for your input and i would normally agree but it has been three weeks and he has become increasingly more uncomfortable. cool, damp, clothes applied to his eyes will get them open in the morning but now he can't breathe through his nose at night and is lying around because he generally doesn't feel well. in addition, he is having constant nosebleeds which the pediatrician feels are related to bad allergies. we are a very organic, alternative family but we thought that perhaps using something for just a few days would help. this afternoon he started coughing and i have read that sometimes if allergies are let go that there is some thought that it may contribute to the development of asthma which all of us have- his mother had very bad asthma as a child. but as you can tell, we are still hesitant about any medication.

[WIZARDKID]

well please do understood that i will try to explain to the best of my ability:

Nosebleeds can vary from
nose picking
hypertension
blood thinners
Infection

Breathing:
Sleep Apnea (obesity)
Bronchitis
Asthma
Childhood Asthma

pretty basic stuff, even though you may be a natural cure kind of person, which my Grandma is, I would also recommend drugs as well, Natural and Organic Medicines cant treat everything neither can drugs treat everything. so you have to balance it out, when it is appropriate to take vinegar for indigestion or Mylanta for an ulcer, if you keep these in balance you will be very healthy.

My Regards to your Son, and I hope he feels better

WIZARDKID-

[Dr J Singh]

Hello,
What your grandson seems to be having is called angioedema.It is caused by allergies. An allergic reaction can occur suddenly, even in a person with no previous history of allergy.Angioedema is the rapid swelling (edema) of the dermis, subcutaneous tissue, mucosa and submucosal tissues.Symptoms include swelling of any body part which appears suddenly and comes and goes.

Diagnosis is by clinical examination and complete blood tests,electrolytes and renal function tests.Treatment is by antihistaminics and steroids.Give him antihistaminics like Benadryl kids or Claritin.If the symptoms persist then pls take him to a pediatrician as steroids may be needed.Also if he is allergic to pollen,make certain lifestyle modifications.
Remain indoors when the outdoor pollen levels are highest like windy days.He can also use a pollen and dust mask. Use a clothes dryer instead of hanging the wash outside, where it acts as a filter trap for pollen. Make sure to clean and replace your air conditioner and air cleaner filters regularly. Also effective are various types of air-filtering devices, which can be added to the heating and cooling systems in the home.

Hope it helps.Take care and regards.

[WIZARDKID]

Oh come on Doc- a blood test for a nosebleed? i am going to have to protest that,
and I just put in at the very top Antihistamines, I already solved this one Doc
just a little late yes?