Could This Be Allergies?

Updated on August 06, 2009
M.M. asks from Chicago, IL
12 answers

Morning all!
My DS (13mos) has been very sneezy and snotty over the last few days. Very running nose, and sneezing produces a lot of mucus. He seems fine apart from this. Behavior and appetite are normal, so I don't think this is a cold. Normally he's more sluggish if it's a cold.
On top of that, he woke up this morning with swelling in his face. His eyes are VERY puffy, and one of them is swollen about 1/2 way shut. Again, behavior seems fine apart from the congestion and swelling. My first thought is that this is just allergies. He's too little to give him anything like Benedryl.

Does anyone have other thoughts on how to help him? Or if you think this could be something other than allergies? He's not allergic to any kind of food that we've found so far. But I'm allergic to mold, etc...so I think he's gotten that from me.

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So What Happened?

Actually, I think this is teeth. I discovered that his top 2 molars are coming through. The puffiness in the eyes has been due to congestion, and it goes away a few hours after waking up. So turns out I was way off base!

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C.D.

answers from Chicago on

Is he teething? My son got a runny nose when his molars came in, and now again that his canines are coming in.

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K.K.

answers from Chicago on

He can take Benedryl and even zyrtec...call you Dr and he can tell you the proper dosing. My little guy also has similar issues which then led to ear infections and then to tubes and now to speech...all because he nose ran from birth. Talk with your Dr.

K.P.

answers from Decatur on

It sounds very similar to my son and he has allergies. I would look into Benadryl or Claritin for infants/toddlers. Call your doctor and ask about both. My son is 4 and takes the claritin and we love it.

Best wishes!

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L.R.

answers from Rockford on

I would call your doctor, or seek medical advice. My son is 11 mo and he was just put on Zyrtec for allergies. Benedryl is good to have around the house for any type of allergic reaction. I had to give it to my cat for a bee sting that went wrong.

Good Luck!

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J.D.

answers from Chicago on

Hi Melissa It sounds like your son is allergic to something. Take him in to see his peditrican and see what she/he says.

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E.R.

answers from Chicago on

Yes, it could be either allergies or a cold.

Have you added any new pets to the house? Any new foods in the last couple of weeks? Nobody has a reaction to a food the first time... your body has to get sensitized to it first. The reactions will keep getting worse over time.

Have you changed detergents recently? Soaps in the bathtub? Is he sleeping in a/c or with windows open? ALl of these can cause reactions. It sounds like his reactions could be getting increasingly worse, and the eye swelling makes me think allergies, for sure.

Call your ped. and ask for a good pediatric allergist.

He didn't just have a vaccine recently, did he? That could cause immune system dysfunciton.

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S.X.

answers from Chicago on

we started zyrtec at 6 months

A.F.

answers from Chicago on

Glad to hear you think it is the teeth! Our allergist (DD is 2 and DS is 8.5 months) said seasonal usually take a couple of years (seasons) to develop, pets quicker and food quicker yet generally. DD has life threatening peanut, and milk, egg and fish plus cat and dog. Son is allergy free so far. Just as FYI - Children's Zyrtec is awesome and our pediatrician prescribed it off-label for our daughter from 13 months on as a daily at 1/2 teaspoon (but it depended on weight so you would have to check with your doc) and then Benadryl Children's at the same dosage when she is having a bad instant reaction. Both uses for kids this young come under the "ask your doctor" part of the label or aren't listed at all. As an allergic individual (me too) -- just hope your DS ends up allergy free...fingers crossed!
Best wishes!

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M.W.

answers from Chicago on

Check with your pediatrician and/or pharmacist for children's benadryl dosage. I think they will OK him having it. I can remember giving my son benedryl on the recommendation of the nurse practioner when my son as around that age, and they gave me the dosage according to weight.

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E.P.

answers from Chicago on

You need to call your Doctor. Some Doctors will allow Benadryl. My concern is if it is an allergy, it can get worse and his breathing can become compromised. Your child should be seen. Having "just allergies" at such a young age can be very concerning. Don't underestimate this. Children, and adults can develop an allergy to foods at any age. It's a misnomer to think that a child, who didn't have an allergic reaction the first time a food was introduced, is not going to have a reaction any other time.

Also, the potential for your child to have allergies can be higher because of your family history (i.e you have an allergy to mold). No that he got it from you - just the likelihood of developing them could higher.

Good luck.

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S.K.

answers from Chicago on

Just to throw somthing else out there......could it be teething?? I think that's about the age that they start to get their molers.............

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M.C.

answers from Chicago on

It definitely could be allergies and I would take him in to be seen. Children that young can have Benedryl actually, just a small dose. Benedryl is one of the safest allergy medications available for that age and it works well with minimal side effects. However, you need to speak to your doctor about this, find out if it is allergies and what, if anything, should you give your baby. I wouldn't wait. Not that's it's urgent but why make him wait it out if you can get him a solution sooner. Allergies are a pain no matter what age!

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