Looking for advice please.

[alligatorpurse]

Hi everyone,

I would really appreciate any advice on helping my DS with his allergies. He is 7. In the past he has needed ventolin for mild asthma but not for over a year now. The main problem is he is always congested, sneezing and clearing his throat and I suspect he has allergic rhinitis/dust mite allergy, as it's not seasonal. It hasn't seemed to bother him all that much, and we've used anti-histamines sometimes.

However over the last couple of months he's been complaining that his ears are blocked, and sometimes painful. He is now constantly trying to pop his ears by holding his nose. It's getting worse and his teacher has asked about it.

The main reason I'm asking for advice on here is that we live in a very remote place due to my DH's job, and have no access to a doctor without getting on a plane. Last time he complained about pain in his ears we did happen to be out of the country and took him to a doctor, who said there was no infection and the blocked ears were related to the allergy. He gave us a decongestant nasal spray which helped at the time but as soon as we stopped using it (after 5 days as advised) his ears became blocked again.

Do you think I should use this spray again? I've read that they should be used sparingly as you can get a rebound effect with them with even more congestion. Maybe a steroid spray? Can you use these long-term? The anti-histamines reduce the allergy but not the congestion. If I know what to get I can get someone to bring medicines in for me asap.

Thanks for reading.

If you think its an allergy to dustmite have you tried any methods to reduce the allergens in your home? My dd has various allergies and improved loads by using anti dustmite bedding and covers,washing bedding at 60 degrees, having a leather seatee instead of fabric,using laminate and vinyls rather than carpet and of course washing and freezing teddies. All toys stored in boxes,a good allergy vaccume . Blinds instead of curtains ect ect. Not sure what to recommend about the ear problem, my dd suffered no end of ear infections early on. However, I dont think using the spray alot without a doctors advice is a good thing. Sounds very tempory. I think you need to confirm dustmite allergy and continue with methods to help it.

Thanks.

We don't have any carpets and I always wash bedding at 60, and regularly put duvet and soft toys in the freezer which kills dust mite droppings. I was thinking of getting an allergy pillow cover but this won't happen immediately as I need to order and wait for someone to arrive by plane! I don't think however it's possible to eradicate all dust mites.

I will take DS to a doctor about this however the next time we go to UK will be in summer so I need to find a way to help him before then.

Sounds like your doing all the right things then alligatorpurse. Yeah maybe allergy testing will be helpful for you. My dd gets sore eyes alot. I know she is confirmed dustmite allergic and also to grass pollens (plus many foods). However she also reacts at other times of the year too so I believe she may also be allergic to mould/fugus spores aswell. So much can effect them, it's difficult. I hope someone can give you some advice on his congestion. How about pets? Do you have any animals? Clutching at straws now.

No pets, although we have babysat a friend's rabbits and he was fine, although I was terrible (he gets it all from me I think...).

I've heard that some allergy-sufferers can benefit from cutting out dairy products anyone know anything about this? I've wondered about this as DS was possibly dairy-intolerant when he was younger, in that he used to vomit a lot, not right after eating dairy but often in the evenings. It was never confirmed (living abroad in different places then too so difficult to follow through properly) but we put him on soya milk from age 2 to 3. He stopped vomiting gradually and at 3 went back to cow's milk with no further problems so we thought that was the end of it. But now I'm wondering as he started with the congestion/asthma not long after that. I guess it's worth a try but won't be easy as no way I could find soya/rice products!

Found some steroid nasal sprays online which seem to be ok for children. Nasonex was one. Can anyone recommend one and I'll see if I can get hold of one to try?

Hi there

Sorry to hear about your ds and how difficult it is for you being so remote.

My son who also has asthma was given a nasal spray called Flixonase as he was having problems hearing due to congestion (hearing test proved hearing ok), cried when he sneezed etc due to pressure and whilst we are now waiting for an appt with ENT about poss glue ear the spray did help and we were told to keep using it (kind of indefinitely or until we saw ENT)...

Might be worth looking into and also considering the possibility of a glue ear type scenario? Apparently very common in boys.

Hope you find some answers soon.

Thanks, that's helpful. Last time he was checked the doctor said there was no fluid or wax build-up in his ears. I'll get him checked again asap but in the meantime I will try to get hold of a steroid spray.

Blimey - tough gig Alligatorpurse! Sounsd like you're doing amazingly.
Anyway - if it helps, DS is on nasonex - lowest side effects and maximum impact, has been on it since aged 6 and so I'm sure you could try. But it might be best to see if you could phone the doctor to discuss your son to see if you could re-introduce the ear medication and add a nasal spray?
Is his hearing affected?
tx

I don't think his hearing is affected to the point of it being a big problem. We once had a hearing test at his teacher's request as he wasn't concentrating in school. His hearing was fine and we were told it was a listening problem, which is obviously harder to fix! I know hearing levels can fluctuate though, so I suppose we can't rule it out.

Thanks for the info - will definitely get on the case with a nasal spray.