Can you give kids anything for allergies?

Always speak with your paediatrician or paediatric allergist before giving your child any new medication to confirm it's appropriate and to get the correct dosage information.

Yes, you may be able to. Allergy medicine for kids includes antihistamines and corticosteroids as tablets, nasal sprays, eye drops. Depending on their age and trigger, allergy immunotherapy might also be an option.

Here are some of the things your healthcare provider may suggest you can give kids for allergies to pollen, dust mites, pets and so on:

• Antihistamines and corticosteroids: These are some of the most common types of short-term allergy relief medicines. Both come in different forms and strengths, for example as nasal spray and eye drops for an itchy nose and eyes. Antihistamines are also often taken as tablets and come in liquid form too.

• Allergy immunotherapy: If short-term symptom relief medication is not enough to keep symptoms under control, your doctor may suggest the prescription of allergy immunotherapy. This goes to the root cause of the condition, using controlled doses of the allergic trigger to teach the body that the substance isn’t a threat. The treatment is available as a course of tablets or shots, depending on the child’s age and allergy. Tablets that dissolve under the tongue are taken at home daily after the first dose is given under medical supervision. Your healthcare provider may want to check with your child periodically to see how well the medication is working. Your doctor may prescribe additional medication for your child to use in case of a severe reaction. Another alternative is shots which involve regular trips to the doctor’s office, varying from several times a week to about once a month.