runny nose

[Danny6]

My 1 year old has had a runny nose for almost 5 months now. He has always been a little snorty/congested, but when he got a mild case of RSV in February the runny nose never seemed to go away.  I have taken him to several allergists. He did have the skin test which came back negative. One doc. said he needed to be treated for nasal infections (each test seemed to show a different bacteria) but after several rounds of different antibiotics I didn't feel comfortable and left that doc. The antibiotics would all work for a couple weeks and then he would get the runny nose again. Another said he thinks he has chronic rhinisitis. He is now on Nasonex but that doesn't seem to be helping. I keep reading about dairy intolerances and how a runny nose can be a symptom. However, the allergist dismissed this idea and said it isn't likely. Other than that he is totally fine...happy baby with no other medical issues. I am concerned that the doctors are missing something. I have asked for a blood allergy test but they said they don't do them with children that young and that his runny nose isn't because of an allergy. I don't know what else to try.

[Danny6]

Thanks for the information. I will be sure to mention these to the doctor and see what he thinks. We were told to hold off on the ENT and any MRI/X-Rays until a month of Nasonex, but that doesn't seem to work so I need to look into having an ENT check him out.

What exactly is allergic rhinitis? Is it constant irritation/infection due to an allergic reaction? If so, how would they determine what he is allergic to if they won't do a blood test and the skin test came back negative?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
One year olds can sometimes put a foreign body in the nose which can cause runny nose. Check that out with an ENT. Also check out a deviated nasal septum. Hay fever and allergic rhinitis should be ruled out. Persistence of RSV should also be looked into.
Normally the food allergens cause only gastric symptoms. However if the allergen is absorbed and reaches the airways it can cause hay fever and asthma like symptoms.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!