Should loratadine help a lot with hayfever symptoms?

[ClockWatchingLady]

DS (7yo) has what I assume is hayfever (although it does happen out of season sometimes, so could also be allergic to something else too). His main symptom is a v stuffed up nose, especially in the morning. He also sometimes coughs in the mornings.

GP prescribed loratadine, but I haven't noticed that it makes much difference TBH. What does this mean? That it's not in fact an allergy? Or that he just doesn't respond to the medication?

I also have a blue inhaler for him for when he gets a tickly, dry cough, but this doesn't seem to do much either!

Any ideas? I'm pretty sure I'm administering the meds correctly. Neither issue is particularly bad, so should I just leave it?

Thanks for reading.

I'd concentrate on finding out what is causing the sensitivity, but in the meantime, perhaps speak to GP about dose?

DH uses loratadine and has had to increase the dose to get decent relief in the last year. Something to do with weather causing increased grass pollen release at wrong time. :(

I would go back to the GP actually. Yes loratadine can help, but as I understand it (IANAD) there are different types of anti-histamine available and some will work better for individual people and problems than others.
Speaking from my own experience, antihistamine tablets don't help my hayfever much, and I find allergy eye drops are better (but my symptoms are mostly in my eyes!). The GP will probably have some more things that you can try.

Thank you both very much for the replies.

I think you're right - we need to get back to the GP.

Thanks again.

I'd assume that he isn't responding well to the meds, and see what else the GP can try. Probably worth giving cetirizine a shot.

How does he use the blue inhaler? Does he have a spacer for it (am assuming it's a MDI)? These can be difficult to use properly for an adult because of the coordination required, so a spacer would be helpful in ensuring he gets the dose properly.

I find that loratadine is the least effective for my hayfever. It has absolutely no effect for me.

Ah OK, I'll ask for something other than loratadine, or a higher dose.

We do use a spacer, Poledra. I don't really know whether it doesn't make a difference because the problem is very mild anyway, because it's not actually asthma, or because we only ever use 2 puffs.

Thank you for the posts - it's really useful

My DS is having to take stronger meds this year for his hay fever. He has also been prescribed a steroid nasal spray to use in the a.m.

So far they are doing the trick

Hope the GP can prescribe something that works.