Medicines for Cedar Allergies That Can Be Taken By Babies

Cedar fever and hay fever are two terms that generally refer to the fever related to allergies. Cedar allergy is usually triggered by pollens shed by mountain cedar trees during pollination. The pollination begins in November and usually peaks in December to mid-February, releasing pollen grains that travel hundreds of miles. Children who are allergic to the pollen experience symptoms associated with a fever such as sore throat, fatigue, sneezing and watery eyes, notes the Texas Medical Clinic.

Antihistamines

When your child experiences an allergic reaction, a chemical known as histamine is released. Histamine is responsible for triggering the unpleasant reactions associated with an allergic reaction such as sneezing, itching, hives and nausea. An allergic reaction can be treated using an antihistamine, which works by blocking histamine. Antihistamines can be obtained in oral and syrup form, and also as nasal sprays and eye drops.

You can obtain antihistamines over-the-counter or on prescription. Over-the-counter antihistamines are short-acting, and therefore must be taken every four to six hours. Such drugs are use to treat moderate symptoms. Prescription antihistamines are longer-acting, meaning they act for 12 to 24 hours. This drug is taken only once a day. Common side effects include drowsiness and dry mouth. Below are some common antihistamines;

Zyrtec

Zyrtec is a FDA approved medication for children as young as six month old. This medicine is available over the counter and is only administered once. A chewable version of this drug is available to children who can tolerate it; otherwise, a syrup form of the drug is also available. Zyrtec works like any other antihistamine, i.e., it treats allergy by blocking the effect of histamine in the baby’s body. Zyrtec is the only medication that is approved for the treatment of both outdoor and indoor allergies in infants. Its side effects include dry mouth, dizziness and nausea.

Benadryl

Benadryl is an antihistamine approved to treat allergies in babies as young as four month to six months old. This medicine can be used after every four to six hours and reduces all the allergy symptoms. It causes drowsiness in adult but it has a different effect on infants. Many parents have reported that this medication makes their children hyperactive.

Claritin

The generic name for this medication is loratadine. This drug can be administered as liquid syrup or as a dissolvable tablet. It’s not advisable to administer this medication to infants who are less than two years old before consulting a registered pediatrician. The common side effects of this drug include sleepiness, headache and dry mouth.

Allegra

Allegra, also known as Fexofenadine is an antihistamine used to treat symptoms of seasonal allergies in infants. It is usually available in syrup and tablet form. Fexofenadine tablets can be given to children aged more than six years old while an oral suspension is administered in two year old babies. Your pediatrician can also recommend the syrup form of Allegra for the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria in children as young as two-months old.