Question:
My 10 year old son has a cough caused by a probable allergy. We do not
feel it is necessary to have him tested just yet as this lasts only about
a month each year at this time. We live in the Chicago area. Can anyone offer any advice on treatment
during this periiod?
Answer:
How can you really treat an allergy if you don't know what the allergy
is? One of the primary treatments is avoidance of the allergan. If
he's allergic to dust mites, you can buy an air purifier and that might
help. Many allergies respond to antihistamines. My recommendation is
to get your child to an allergist or his pediatrician. Maybe it's just
a cold. Maybe it's the beginning of more serious allergies. I would not take this lightly. Look at your family history. If you have\had
allergies\asthma\sinusitus you might be looking at a clue. My feeling is to
treat this like its happening to you, coughing due to allergies is pretty
uncomfortable. It puts stress on your childs system and this will affect
the childs ability to cope with other stresses and can impact his
performance in school as well as being down right unpleasant. I would get
the skin prick tests (these aren't exact but its the best we have and when
you do it if the results are negative you will be able to eliminate a lot
of things). It could be an allergy, from what you describe if it is it
probably some pollen or mould or spore.
