Infant Son's Respiratory Problem- - -Possible Allergy?

My 5 week old son developed a cold and ear infection one week ago. He also had a very stuffed nose which got worse at night.
He has been on amoxicillin for the past week and was considerably better until the last couple of nights.  Once again he is getting very stuffed up at night making it difficult for him to sleep and eat.
My doctor has suggested it could possibly be an allery. (We do have cats in the house.)  
My question is whether allergy symptoms can come and go since he is not stuffed up all the time even though he is exposed to the cats all the time.  Also, if it is an allegy why does he get stuffier at night?

[National Jewish]

Allergy to inhalants is very uncommon in a child that is 5 weeks. The most common allergy in that age is to milk. Rarely, dust mite allergy is found in infants, but 5 weeks is very young for this too. I would suggest that the infection that caused the problem a week ago is probably continuing to cause some of what you are describing. If you have an allergy history in the family, however, I would recommend limiting your son's exposure to cats to help with the potential for future problems.

[starion]

Dear Friend,
Allergy symptoms can increase and decrease.  Many folks are allergic to dust mites and things in bedding as well as other allergens, particularly in their bedrooms.  When an individual seems stuffier at night, it is good to look at their bedrooms and try to figure out measures that can be taken to reduce possible allergen exposure in the bedroom (you can see the excellent info about allergy control measures at www.NationalJewish.org, particularly their MedFacts and LungFacts).  Before going through great lengths to do this you may wish to consult a pediatric allergist to see if she/he can help you determine whether your child does have allergies & further suggestions on allergy control measures.  Your child's history, a blood test and/or allergy skin
tests may help determine whether your child has allergies.
Best of luck--aloha,
Starion

[Concerned lady]

You might want to bring your son back to the doctor, to find out what's causing the nighttime stuffiness, and to see WHERE EXACTLY the stuffiness is located (nose, &/or throat &/or ?).

Also, might your son have developed any "Thrush" (Candida albicans yeast infection) due to the anti-biotics destroying the beneficial bacteria that would normally keep the bad yeasts under control?

If you are breast feeding, you could eat some PRO-BIOTICS (like BIFIDO-BACTERIA/BIFIDUS for infants and for nursing mothers). These beneficial bacteria would get into the breast milk, and help to gently get rid of bad yeasts. You could buy these BIFIDUS BACTERIA at a health food store (keep refrigerated). Get the MILK-FREE (cow's milk can be congesting) kind that has only rice solids mixed into the powdered pro-biotics. (in other words, gluten-free)

Sometimes a hot water vaporizer (not too close to the baby--7 feet from the nose is better) can help prevent drying out of delicate nasal tissue.

Also, look for and eliminate any "indoor air pollution" that might be aggravating your baby. Examples are NEW CARPET, NEW BUILDING MATERIALS (new insulation, new particle-board, new tile--the glue, new hardwood floors--glues, fresh paint, fresh stains, fresh drywall/plaster, etc.), MOLD (from flooding or water leaks), "plug-in" AIR-FRESHENERS (often scented with irritating petrochemicals), DUSTS, SCENTED PRODUCTS (look for "fragrance-free"/unscented), SPRAYS of all kinds, FABRIC SOFTENERS, ANTI-STATIC SHEETS, etc.

Airing out the bedroom by opening windows can be helpful, if outside air is clean and fresh.

I hope he feels better soon.

Sincerely, Concerned lady
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