How to treat pediatric allergic rhinitis

  Children are prone to developing allergic rhinitis. Unlike colds, symptoms usually appear at the change of seasons, in the morning after waking up, and after exposure to allergenic substances. It lasts for about ten minutes and then disappears.  1. Physical therapy. Avoid allergic substances. If your child is allergic to pollen, puppy and cat hair, do not take your child to places with flowers and stop your child from touching puppies and cats. Inhaling steam can relieve the child’s nasal congestion and allow the child to breathe freely for a while. Exercise also has the effect of relieving nasal congestion.  2. Antihistamines. This medication can relieve your child’s sneezing, itchy nose and nasal discharge, without the effect of relieving nasal congestion. Nowadays, antihistamines are more effective than the old antihistamines, and the effect lasts longer. Sleepiness is less common in children taking the newer medications. If a child has nasal congestion, decongestants can be used.  3. Immunotherapy. It can solve the allergy problem completely. However, do not use this therapy for children under five years old. This therapy can treat 80% of children who suffer from this disease and stop the development of rhinitis into asthma. All medications and therapies should be used with the attention of a doctor.  The most important preventive measure for this disease is to avoid allergens. Parents should pay attention to the cleanliness of their child’s room and make sure that no allergens are present in the house.