How to Choose the Best Children's Allergy Relief
Chewables, liquids, and nasal sprays, oh my! When it comes to choosing the right allergy medicine for kids, the allergy aisle can make your head spin. We know, we’ve been there. Luckily, relief doesn’t have to come in the form of a riddle. We’ve decoded and demystified the allergy aisle for you, arming you with the information you need to make a confident decision in choosing the best allergy relief for your kids.
3 WAYS TO TREAT CHILDREN'S ALLERGIES
Believe it or not, the overwhelming amount of allergy medications found in the drugstore can be narrowed down to just 3 categories: antihistamines, decongestants, and steroid nasal sprays. Below are the medicine categories broken down to explain how they each work to relieve allergy symptoms.
CHILDREN'S ANTIHISTAMINES
Children's antihistamines do exactly what it sounds like they do. They literally block histamine—a chemical released by your child’s immune system during an allergic reaction.1 While popular children’s antihistamines like Children’s Zyrtec® and Children’s Claritin® block histamine—it’s important to remember that histamine is only 1 of many allergic substances. And some children’s antihistamines like Children’s Benadryl® can cause drowsiness.
CHILDREN'S DECONGESTANTS
A quick fix, decongestants only offer relief of nasal and sinus congestion.1 If your child is also suffering from other symptoms such as itchy or watery eyes, a decongestant won’t offer one-stop complete relief. When you’re in a pinch, over-the-counter options like Children’s Sudafed® are available, but keep in mind that the side effects include insomnia and irritability,2 two things that don’t mix well with kids.
CHILDREN'S STEROID NASAL SPRAYS
Children’s FLONASE SENSIMIST is a steroid nasal spray known as a glucocorticoid—a hormone your child produces naturally in order to suppress inflammation.2 Not to be confused with muscle-building steroids, or systemic steroids like prednisone, steroid nasal sprays work right at the source of your child’s allergies (in the nose) without having to travel through the body like antihistamine tablets and syrups.
Children’s FLONASE SENSIMIST is a kid-friendly, gentle mist that helps block 6 key allergic substances, including histamine.* In fact, Children’s FLONASE SENSIMIST delivers relief for itchy, watery eyess ,† sneezing, and, unlike antihistamines, it also relieves your child’s stuffy nose. It’s also scent free, virtually drip free , and has the shortest nozzle—providing 24-hour non-drowsy relief for children ages 2 and up—all in a mist your kid will barely feel.
Now that the mystery surrounding allergy medicine has been solved, take charge of the allergy aisle and pick up the right relief for your kids. They’ll thank you for it!
*Mechanism vs most OTC allergy pills. FLONASE nasal sprays act on multiple inflammatory substances (histamine, prostaglandins, cytokines, tryptases, chemokines, and leukotrienes). The exact number and precise mechanism are unknown.
†Indicated to relieve itchy, watery eyes in children 12 years of age and older.
Children’s Zyrtec® and Children’s Sudafed® are registered trademarks of McNEIL-PPC, Inc.
Children’s Claritin® is a registered trademark of Bayer.
Children’s Benadryl® is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division.
Sources:
1. Mayo Clinic Staff. Allergy medications: Know your options. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/in-depth/allergy-medications/art-20047403. Accessed June 11,2018 ,
2. Johns Hopkins. Adrenal Glands 101.https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/endocrinology/adrenal_glands_85,p00399/. Accessed June 11,2018 ,
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