Various types of allergies are currently common among children. Medications help fight the characteristic symptoms. How to choose allergy medications? For children from one year old and toddlers, specialists usually prescribe safe antihistamines with a minimum of side effects. Let us consider in more detail the most effective of them.
Allergy Symptoms
With increased sensitivity in a child to the effects of external or internal factors, they speak of the development of allergies. A similar ailment today is increasingly common. Moreover, not only children with a hereditary predisposition suffer, but also those whose parents do not have a similar diagnosis in the anamnesis.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction in children can be very diverse. Most often, rashes appear on the skin, an increased secretion of transparent secretion from the nose begins to bother, there is a sore throat and cough. The greatest danger is Quincke's edema and anaphylaxis. The first pathological phenomenon prevents normal breathing due to swelling of the mucous membranes, the second causes heart and respiratory failure.
How to help a child?
An allergy in a child is usually treated with antihistamines, which should be selected together with the doctor. The composition of such drugs has a substance that will block the production of histamine in the body in contact with an allergen. In addition, it is important to eliminate contact with the stimulus. Otherwise, drug therapy will be ineffective.
Detect allergen helps special diagnostics. For this, skin tests, provocative and elimination tests are performed, blood is examined for the presence of specific antibodies.
Allergy medications for children
The names of many drugs with antihistamine action are known to most parents of babies. They are often prescribed during treatment with other medicines to prevent the development of an allergic reaction or with food allergies. The pharmaceutical industry offers three generations of such drugs.
First-generation antihistamines have a very extensive list of side effects and are being used less and less. These include Diphenhydramine, Suprastin, Tavegil, Fenkarol. They are able to alleviate the condition only for 4-6 hours and at the same time often cause side effects in the form of drowsiness, increased thirst, digestive upset, tachycardia. Such allergy medications for children from a year and older were prescribed earlier. Today, experts prefer safer antihistamines.
The second generation of antiallergic drugs have a longer therapeutic effect. Most of them suppress the occurrence of allergy symptoms for 24 hours, which allows you to take them only once a day. They do not affect consciousness and do not cause drowsiness. The most effective drugs include Loratadin, Zirtek, Telfast, Tsetrin, Allergodil. Second generation antihistamines can help with itching, and therefore they are often recommended for chickenpox to reduce discomfort.
The new generation of allergies for children is the most modern and safe. They have the longest therapeutic effect and do not adversely affect the work of the heart, kidneys, liver. Some of this category of drugs are even allowed to be taken during pregnancy. The third generation of antihistamines includes:
- Fexofenadine.
- "Levocyterisin."
- Ebastin.
- "Desal."
- "Erius."
- Deslorotadine.
- "Suprastinex".
- Alerzin.
- Xizal.
- "Allegra".
What to take with food allergies?
Antiallergic drugs for children with food allergies will help relieve acute symptoms of the disease. It is most preferable to give medicines of the third and second generation to avoid the development of side effects. They are prescribed in combination with a sparing diet, sorbents and enzymes.
Before starting child therapy, it is necessary to show the allergist who can confirm the diagnosis and select the most optimal treatment regimen. It is recommended to consult a specialist at the first sign of a malfunction of the immune system. Symptoms of a food allergy are skin rashes in the form of red spots, itching, and an upset digestive tract. Swelling of the mucous membranes is the most dangerous sign in which you should immediately call an ambulance for your child.
Syrup preparations
For children 2 years of age, allergy medications in the form of pills (tablets) are rather problematic. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to antihistamines in the form of syrups. The composition of such drugs usually contains various additives and flavors that improve palatability. However, it should be remembered that these same components can cause a negative reaction of the immune system, that is, allergies.
Antiallergic syrups such as Claritin, Erius, L-Cet, Loratadin are quite effective. Dosage is selected depending on the age or weight of the baby.
"Suprastin" for children
Some anti-allergic drugs have been used in pediatric practice for a long time and have proven themselves only on the positive side. One of these “proven” remedies is Suprastin. This is a fairly strong medication and therefore, without preliminary consultation with a doctor, it is better for the child not to give it.
Indications for the appointment of "Suprastin" are the following symptoms:
- allergic conjunctivitis;
- hives;
- itching of the skin;
- allergic rhinitis;
- atopic dermatitis;
- swelling of the skin after an insect bite;
- contact dermatitis.
The main active ingredient in the drug is chloropyramine hydrochloride. The component is an antihistamine of the first generation, but it causes side effects extremely rarely.
"Suprastin" is one of the few drugs that can suppress the development of allergy symptoms within 15-20 minutes after administration. A medication is available in tablet form and as a solution for injection.
Dosage
Allergy medications for children of the first (I) generation are usually prescribed in tablets. The specialist determines the dosage of the amount of active substance individually for each baby.
Suprastin tablets are recommended for children from three years old, but specialists often prescribe them with the condition of reducing the daily dose. So, crumbs of the first year of life (starting from one month) can be given in the fourth part of one tablet per day. From two years, the dosage is increased to 1/3 of the part (twice a day). A three-year-old baby is shown to take half a tablet twice a day.
You should especially carefully monitor the dosage of the drug, because its excess can have negative consequences. An overdose can be determined by symptoms such as psychomotor agitation, ataxia, hallucinations, dry oral mucosa, and tachycardia. If the child has similar symptoms, you need to seek qualified help as soon as possible.
"Loratadine": description of the drug
Classic allergy medications for children from one year will never lose their relevance. An example of this is Loratadine, a drug known to many people, which is available in the form of tablets and syrup. The composition contains the same active substance, which, subject to the recommended dosage, does not cause sedation.
The medication will be effective in seasonal and year-round hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic and contact dermatitis, urticaria, bronchial asthma.
The syrup is suitable for children 2 years old. The drug for allergies in the form of tablets should be prescribed to patients whose weight is more than 30 kg. 1 ml of syrup contains 1 mg of loratadine. Babies from 2 years old are recommended to give 5 ml (one measured spoon) of the drug per day. With a child weighing more than 30 kg, the dosage rises to 10 ml. Also in this case, you can give "Loratadine" in tablets.
Warnings
An antihistamine medication is not prescribed for children suffering from renal failure. The active substance is able to retain urine in the body, which can lead to intoxication.
Also contraindications include intolerance to the components of the syrup and Loratadine tablets, hypersensitivity to lactase.
Side effects in the form of a rash, drowsiness, fatigue, an anti-allergy drug for children cause most often with intolerance to the components in the composition.
"Erius" for allergies
One of the newest antihistamines is Erius. As an active ingredient in the composition, desloratadine is used. The substance is an active metabolite of the previously known loratadine, has a long therapeutic effect and blocks histamine receptors. A significant advantage of this medication is the absence of an effect on the functionality of the central nervous system.
The antihistamine medicine belongs to the third generation and differs from its predecessors in prolonged exposure. It will help to cope with various symptoms of allergies: sneezing, tearing, coughing, rashes on the skin, hyperemia, discharge from the nasal cavity, nasal congestion.
Among other drugs for the treatment of allergies in children, "Erius" is considered (according to experts) one of the safest. The tool practically does not cause side effects. Exceptions are only cases of individual intolerance to the active ingredient or excipients.
Mode of application
Syrup is the most preferred form of medication for treating babies. Doctors recommend giving tablets to children only after 12 years to avoid the appearance of negative effects of the drug.
Erius babies in the first year of life are given 2 ml in syrup. Increased to 2.5 ml dose is prescribed for children from 1 to 5 years. 5 ml of the drug for allergies can be given to children after six years. Take "Erius" once a day. The course lasts an average of three weeks. However, in mild cases, weeks of taking the drug may be enough.
Contraindications and side effects
Even the best allergy medications for children can provoke the development of an inadequate reaction from the protective system of the body. Despite the fact that the composition of "Erius" is improved, the occurrence of side effects such as diarrhea, drying out of the mucous membranes, insomnia, increased fatigue, and tachycardia are possible.
The main contraindication is hypersensitivity to desloratadine, children under 6 months of age, impaired digestibility of galactose and glucose, lack of sucrose. Be sure to adjust the dose of the drug if the patient has renal failure.
Tavegil
An effective Swiss anti-allergic agent Tavegil belongs to the first generation of histamine receptor blockers. The composition contains such an active substance as clemastine (an ethanolamine derivative). The drug does not cause drowsiness, but it also has sedative, m-anticholinergic properties.
Tavegil can be purchased in the form of syrup and tablets. Both forms of medicine are used in pediatric practice. Syrup can be given to babies from 12 months. The dosage recommended by the manufacturer is 2.5 ml per day. An allergy drug for children of 8 years is prescribed in 10 ml. The dose should be divided into two doses. Tavegil tablets have been used in pediatrics since 6 years. A single dose for children 6-12 years old - half a tablet per day.
The medication will be effective in dermatoses and dermatitis, eczema, urticaria, swelling of tissues after insect bites. Pills and syrup quickly relieve discomfort in the form of itching, redness, swelling.
The drug is not prescribed for pathologies of the lower parts of the respiratory system - pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchial asthma. In parallel with Tavegil, it is forbidden to take medications that inhibit the activity of the nervous system.
Zodak and Zirtek: reviews
What allergy medications for children have earned the special trust of parents? Such medicines are Zodak (Czech Republic) and Zirtek (Switzerland). Despite the fact that they belong to the second generation of antihistamines, at present they are prescribed to babies much more often than other drugs. At the heart of these drugs is a substance such as cetirizine dihydrochloride.
Medications are especially effective for seasonal rhinitis, conjunctivitis, urticaria, hay fever, dermatitis, Quincke's edema. The therapeutic effect is manifested after 30-60 minutes.
For children of 8 years of age, allergy medications Zodak and Zirtek are usually prescribed in tablet form. The daily dose should not exceed 10 mg of cetirezine dihydrochloride, that is, 1 tablet. Increase dosage is prohibited.
In the form of drops "Zirtek" can be assigned to babies from six months, and "Zodak" only from 12 months. Syrups are intended for children after 2 years.
When is it forbidden to prescribe?
For children from one year old, allergy medications should be given exclusively in the form of drops. With individual hypersensitivity to any of the components in the composition of the preparations, their use should be abandoned. With caution, antihistamines are prescribed for renal failure.
Drowsiness, dyspepsia, headaches, fatigue, rashes on the skin are symptoms of side effects of the Zodak and Zirtek preparations.
Claritin for children
For children from one year old, allergy medications should be given with caution. Some of them may not have a therapeutic effect, while others can cause side effects. One of the most popular drugs with the “right” therapeutic effect is Claritin. The second generation antihistamine based on loratadine is produced by a Belgian pharmaceutical company in the form of tablets and syrup.
The tool well relieves itching caused by allergies, eliminates rashes on the skin, stops attacks of sneezing. It is recommended to take it to children suffering from seasonal rhinitis, idiopathic urticaria. Syrup is suitable for babies from two years old. It is permissible to take tablets only to children (teenagers) over 12 years old.
It should be borne in mind that during the treatment with Claritin, the occurrence of side effects is recorded quite often. A similar condition can manifest itself in the form of disorders of the digestive system, drowsiness, severe fatigue, headache.
Who needs Alerzin?
What is the best allergy drug for a child to give with urticaria? One of the most effective drugs is Alerzin, a third-generation blocker of H-1 histamine receptors based on levocetirizine. The active component reduces vascular permeability, stops the release of inflammatory mediators and significantly reduces the migration of eosinophils. At the same time, the medicine practically does not have anticholinergic and antiserotonin effects, which significantly reduces the risk of side effects.
Drops "Alerzin" instruction allows prescribing to children from 6 months. You can take the drug regardless of food. Babies from 6 to 12 months are given 5 drops of an antihistamine. The daily dose of levocetirizine for children from 1 year to 6 years is 10 drops. 20 drops of Alerzin are taken by children over 6 years old. At this age, the child will take the drug in the form of tablets.
Duration and treatment features
Allergy drugs for children on an ongoing basis are used only in cases of chronic illness. If symptoms of a malfunction of the immune system occur periodically, there is no need for continuous drug exposure.
Children under 6 years of age should take a medicine for allergies in the form of drops. This allows you to precisely control the dosage of the active component and, if necessary, adjust it.