Still concerned about Ashley's allergies

MommyToAshley wrote: I am so frustrated. I am still worried/upset about Ashley's allergies. The meds are helping some -- her eyes don't look as bad and she's not as congested. She still sneezes quite a bit, but at least she is not all puffy-eyed and red-nosed. However, I am still concerned about the bloody noses. She gets at least one a day, sometimes up to 5 a day. The Ped doesn't seem overly concerned about them. However, I think I am going to ask for a referral to an allergist. Do you think that is the best place to start, or should I ask for a referral to an ENT?

amymom replied: I think I would see an allergist but not sure.

Do you use saline spray for her nose? You can get ones for little noses.... The saline used daily (twice a day) made the biggest difference in Mary Beth's and my allergic reactions.

sparkys2boys replied: I would be concerned to to be honest. 5 aday seems like a ton to me. I would ask to see the allergist also and then go from there. GL with it

msoulz replied: Both of my kids get bloody noses (a genetic gift from their dad I think ) and our pediatrician told me they keep re-opening (for lack of a medical term) because there is a scab in the nose which is bothersome to the child so the kind of rub or pick at it and then it bleeds again. What we do on her advice is take a little bit of Neosporin on a fingertip, just sort of scrape it off the finger and into the nostril and then rub the nostril to distribute the neosporin. 3 times/day for 10 days is what she said, although I have not made it 10 days, usually two or three days seems to do the trick. It certainly works for my kids.

gr33n3y3z replied: Take her to the Allergist at least I would

ediep replied: I like the neosporin idea from Lisa, try that

also do you use a humififier in her room at night? My DH gets bloody noses from dry air.

Good luck!!!

luvbug00 replied: allergist. unfortunately it may mean testing and a shot regiment ( like what mya has) but it will help ALOT mya hasn't had allergy issues since she started it.

lovemy2 replied: I would see an allergist too - sounds like its more seasonal allergies - and this year has been a WHOPPER - I am even suffering and haven't in a couple years - you just hate to go through too much testing for something that is seasonal - maybe the Ped can offer a new allergy med to help - sometimes its just finding the right med - as for the bloody noses - Olivia gets them to - she won't let me do the saline spray but we use vaseline in her nose to keep it moist and a humidifier - good luck and I hope poor Ashley gets some relief soon

Kirstenmumof3 replied: I would definately take her to see an allergist. I hope Ashley starts to feel better soon!

coasterqueen replied: I would definitely take her to a pediatric allergist. Have you ruled out food allergies as well?

luvmykids replied: I definitely think an allergist is the place to start. It's been a terrible year for allergies here too but a humidifier does help the stuffiness. I hope she feels better soon!

momofone replied: it may be bleeding from dryness saline nasal sprays may help with that

My2Beauties replied: I'd say try the humidifier at night and the neosporin first. I had TONS of nosebleeds as a child from dry air because we had kerosene heaters and the air was so dry in our house, the combo of that made for some horrific nosebleeds, I would cover towels with blood It was bad! Using humidifiers and even putting pots of water on the heaters to put some moisture in the air worked wonders for me.

MommyToAshley replied: I use the saline nasal drops in her daily (sometimes up to three times a day and always at bedtime... I use the Little Noses) and have tried Vaseline (the ped suggested that instead of neosporin) in her nose. We do the humidifier but we don't want to do it every night because then you get into problems that mold can grow under the carpet, window sills, etc.

I think I may ask for a referral to an allergist. I don't like the hit and miss approach of just trying different meds to find one that works. I hate giving her meds unless she needs it and she's tried just about every allergy medicine there is out there. I want to find out exactly what it is that she is allergic to and treat her exact allergy. It might even be something we can avoid or lessen her contact with the allergen.

sparkys2boys replied: Oh I really hope you can get it all worked out.. very frustrating indeed.

A&A'smommy replied: before I read that you were wanting to be referred I was going to tell you to ask for one!!! I think she needs to see an allergist both of my sister in laws kids have been through that whole allergist thing and both have had to have shots and both are MUCH better today for it!! So I DEFINITELY recommend seeing one its a long hard process but DEFINITELY worth it!!!

holley79 replied: Is her nose bleeding due to dryness? My sister and her daughter have severe allergies. Since my sister and her daughter have been using saline to moistizer their nasal passage the bleeding has stopped. Just maybe a suggestion. Hope Ash gets to feeling better.

Kaitlin'smom replied: dang I dunno what all you have tried but it sounds frustrating. I hope you can get her some relief. allergies are no fun

ZandersMama replied: Zav is going to an ENT the end of the month for nosebleeds, the doctor suggested vasiline as well and that seems to be helping. He was having them every day, 3-4 a day.

MommyToAshley replied:
See, I wasn't sure if I should ask for a referral to an ENT or an allergist. She had nosebleeds before the seasonal allergies kicked in, but it just seems to be worse this time of year. It's always on the same side too.

Let me know what the ENT says.

Jamison'smama replied: I can see the saline drops if it is to clear out allergens but isn't saline to dry up mucus membranes? We always used it when the kids were congested to dry them up, if the nosebleeds are from a dry nose how would it work to moisturize? --Just curious because Jack's nasal allergies are horrible and I would love to figure something out.

ZandersMama replied:
I will for sure

MommyToAshley replied:
Sorry Brenda, I just saw this.

Her ped suggested the Little Noses saline drops to add moisture to her dry nose. On the bottle, it says "adds moisture to dry membranes due to allergies, low humidity, weather".. etc. It also says it "loosens congestion" -- so maybe that is why it seems like it dries them out. I don't think it would dry her out (at least I hope not), the ped recommended it for the opposite problem.

I know there is a Little Noses that is also medicated, but I only use the non-medicated kind... basically it's saline drops.

Jamison'smama replied: ah, okay. See, I learn things here everyday. I just always "assumed" salt dried out the mucus, now I know what's really happening. Thanks

dtdoerr2002 replied: I didn't get thru the whole post, but what meds is Ashley taking???

Teri

holley79 replied:
My sister uses the non- medicated for Catelynn. They seem to really help her especially in the nose bleed department. I hope she gets better soon DD.