Toddler has allergies- how can they see grandparents?

[Catherine8485]

Hi all, my 3 year old suffers from bad rashes and itchy skin when she is around animals. Her Grandparents have 3 cats and when she visited she would be relentlessly itching her skin. To the point we stopped visiting.

We have now realised that piriton before and after the visit helps. They can come to us sometimes but struggle to find a way as Grandma doesnt drive. They are a 30 minute drive away.

Would you avoid going? If not what frequency knowing the double dose of piriton.

I know but that will be because they cant leave their homes without taking them. I feel this is different. Having said that I do feel it's going to happen, just not sure how often.

The other thing to think about is that grandma will bring the cat dander (stuff that triggers the allergy) with her. It might not be enough to affect your DD but it might....so making grandma travel may not solve the problem. have you taken any advice from your GP about her allergy and how often its reasonable to medicate, also whether piriton is the best choice.

Funnily enough tonight we found out that this is true. She visited and we had to give her piriton. I think you're right I will speak to a GP and see what advice they give.

If they're only a 30 min drive away surely you can pick them up and bring them to yours most of the time? Though I'd be very comfortable with giving Piriton say one or twice a month if you want to go to theirs.

My D.C. takes piriton every night for allergies. I really don’t think you should worry about giving it once a week.

I actually don't agree that you should purposely expose your child to the allegen.

Repeated exposure could cause the reaction to decrease..... but it could also cause it to get worse... and having seen an anaphylaxis l wouldn't want to risk it.

There are other options as stated above i.e meet elsewhere.

People don’t normally take antihistamines because they can’t leave their house without them, they just make life easier. I think you’re being far too cautious about a very standard over the counter medicine. Do you have health anxiety or are you not keen on your in-laws? I’m genuinely not trying to be snarky here, it just seems an odd reaction.

Your child will miss out if you don't medicate them. The benefits of a close GP relationship surely outweighs intermittent ( very safe, frequently prescribed) antihistamines.
I am really not a pill popper but this seems to be utterly clear cut.

I'm probably just resentful haha I've got a 3 year old, 1 year old and I'm pregnant. I work full time in a demanding job and we are finishing an extension. We have one day a week as a family and they can come to us, but say they have little time (son lives at home and drives). And to me I just feel like I'm giving my daughter a medicine which can cause side effects and going out of way when there are alternatives. Rant over!

What side effects ? Thousands of people, including children, take it every day without any problems.
It makes me tired, so if I need it I take it at night, then it doesn’t affect me in the day.

Once a week is a lot. I'm allergic to cats. I've struggled through family visits even with medication. It's miserable. Piriton makes you feel drowsy and I wouldn't want to be taking it that regularly.

As an adult, I choose not to visit one friend with a very fluffy cat at all unless it's summer. My other friend, I have a tolerance for a couple of hours (short haired cats, no carpets, high ceilings etc) but I still feel yuck afterwards.

I would have visits and sit outside wherever possible, put the cats out and vaccum if that's an option, the room you'll be in and I'd not take your child more than once a month or so and try and visit without child or bring Grandma to you on other occasions.

That's me though, cat allergy makes me feel awful and piriton doesn't make it disappear, just makes it manageable with some side FX on top.

Piriton makes children drowsy and so it doesn't seem ideal to be giving it in advance of her seeing her grandparents. Would definitely try for neutral venues where possible.

But it is being used to prevent sickness. It works to prevent her allergies so I am struggling to understand why one dose a week to allow a relationship with Grandma is considered such an issue. I am wondering if it’s an excuse for you not to go to be honest.

If I was the Grandma I would get rid of the cats rather than my granddaughter have to take medicine to visit me. Surely her health is more important.

You need to see the GP to get the right antihistamine, piriton does not suit all children. Ds had multiple allergies and has since birth and has always had to have antihistamine, sometimes daily and other times just when we know he might be exposed to an allergen. His DGP have dogs which always set him off and we always gave him something before we visited. DGP also had some at their house in case we forgot! If suffering that badly dc should be under a paediatric service to help you manage symptoms.

I'm allergic to cats and would say it's utterly miserable feeling those allergic reactions- it's not just the breathlessness, sneezing, sore and itchy eyes, it makes you feel just ill- tired and sick through your whole system. Unless the Piriton totally controls the symptoms I wouldn't out a child through this- they should visit you.

I was that child.
grandparents had a dog and I was (still am tbh) very allergic.
reactions from skin rash to allergic asthma. the asthma bit was horrific, I wasn't believed because I don't wheeze. I just go pale and quiet. (please look out for that)

it was miserable. I was the one sitting out in the garden eating my dinner even in winter as I couldn't spend more than a few minutes inside.

I use Zirtek for DC and it doesn't seem to make them drowsy. Consultant recommended using it daily from March/April to Sept/Oct for pollen allergies. A relationship with grandparents is important, but it depends how well your child feels while visiting too, ie do the antihistamines completely work. If not I'd try and make other arrangements to meet as pp have suggested. Remember that clothes can be an issue too, so if DG is playing with her cats, then leaves and hugs your DC this could cause issues.

Sorry, see this has already been mentioned. Shower and fresh clothes for DGrandmother before she leaves then?
It's hard on everyone, I know. Allergies are difficult.

Just to say piriton doesn't make all children drowsy. It certainly doesn't have that effect on either of mine.

Make the most of the spring and summer to visit Grandma in the garden. In the meantime talk to your GP about how to handle this.

I suspect that if this was your own mother, you wouldn't be ignoring the many posts that have told you that taking Piriton once a week will be fine

Antihistamines are incredibly safe with no harm associated with frequent or even daily usage. As PP said there are many children and adults who take them as routine.

I took a once daily antihistamine for most of my childhood due to allergies to my family cats and dust. There was no long term effects, it was Dr approved and parents were able to keep the cats - which actually helped me grow out of the allergy eventually due to exposure

I never gave my child antihistamines, I chose to meet outside or at other locations. They did eventually outgrow it in early teens.

How long do you usually visit grandma for? I assume you are making sure there are at least 4 hours between your before and after visit doses?

I agree once a week is more than fine from an antihistamine pov, but that doesn’t mean you are obliged to go every week if you don’t want to!

I agree with others that I would choose a neutral venue if possible, and also speak to your gp - cetirizine hydrochloride (eg Zirtek) is a non drowsy antihistamine, but only approved for hay fever in 2-6 year olds, but your gp may prescribe it anyway. I find it works better than piriton for my kids allergies.

I don't think there is many side effects of piriton unless your child is reacting to it.
For a 3 year old I think they can have it 4 times a day so giving it to her before and after a visit isn't going to do any harm even if she went every day.
My son is 4 and takes it every morning and night for hay fever, without it he has a daily cough year round he can certainly leave home without it but it makes life more enjoyable with it. It doesn't even make him drowsy