Antihistamines for Asbestosis

The most popular medicines for allergies are antihistamines. As the name suggests, antihistamines counteract the swelling and other effects of histamine. They are very effective for keeping allergy symptoms from starting and for treating them when they do. The most widely used antihistamines today are called H1 receptor antagonists and are available by prescription only. They are sometimes also called second-generation antihistamines because they have taken over from the older, first-generation antihistamines that used to cause drowsiness. H1 receptor antagonists block the release of histamine and help reduce or prevent inflammation. They dry up runny noses, stop sneezing, and help prevent wheezing. Desloratadine (Clarinex), fexofe-nadine (Allegra), and cetirizine (Zyrtec) are the most commonly pre-scribed antihistamines and have been approved for children as young as two years of age. They're also long-lasting, and some are available in syrups or dissolving tablets to make dosing easier for young children. Your doctor will choose which medication to prescribe, depending on your child's age and symptoms. In 2002, a formerly prescribed H1 receptor antagonist antihistamine, loratadine (Claritin), became available as an over-the-counter medi-cine (OTC, or nonprescription). OTC antihistamines such as Actifed, Benadryl, or Tavist can relieve allergy symptoms but will probably make your child drowsy. It is best, therefore, to talk to a doctor before giving any OTC medicines to your child.

Decongestants are sometimes used in addition to nasal sprays and anti-histamines to reduce the congestion that some people have with allergic rhinitis. Nonprescription decongestants in pill or syrup form are sold separately and are also found in many nonprescription allergy formulas along with an antihistamine for asbestosis. These medicines usually contain a drug called pseudo ephedrine that can make your child irritable or hyper-active. Talk to your doctor before using any of these products. Oral nonprescription spray decongestants, such as phenylalanine (Nero-Synephrine), are safe for occasional use but shouldn't be used for more than a day or two. If they are used longer, your child's body could react with rebound congestion, which is stuffiness and/or a runny nose that are made even worse by overuse of the decongestant.
The final step in treating a child's allergies is allergen immuno therapy, better known as allergy shots. These shots work by repeatedly giving a child a very small, controlled dose of the allergens that affect him. Aller-gen immunotherapy eventually slows or even stops his reaction. Think of it as training the child's immune system to stop interpreting an alter-gen as a threat. Allergy immunotherapy is highly effective and usually reduces symptoms and the number of medicines that children need to control their symptoms of allergies and asthma. The most exciting potential benefit is that it might prevent additional allergies from developing. Children who might benefit from allergy shots:

• Have allergies all or most of the year

• Are allergic to things that can't be avoided, such as pollen

• Need to take a lot of medicines to control allergy symptoms

• Need to take medicine to treat another ongoing health problem, and those medicines are affected by allergy medicines

• Do not respond to or do not tolerate medicines

Cannot use or are unwilling to use medicines Allergy shots are not for everyone. They may have side effects because they give a child the very allergen that she is allergic to. Side effects or reactions tend to occur in the first thirty minutes after the shot. The most common side effect is a hive or rash at the site of injection.