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How To Treat Allergic Asthma In Infants?
Hi my 5 month old son has symptoms of allergic asthma. I myself was diagnosed about a month ago. I'm using a puffer now and I was wondering what I can do to help him sleep at night. he wakes up coughing at least 4-5 times every night and seems always congested and has been having a hard time drinking his bottles. other than using saline drops and a nasal aspirator, I've also closed off his heat vent (that is the cause of the allergy, we heat our house with a wood furnace) is there anything else I can do? are there medications that can help?
Wed, 6 Aug 2014
Hello,
I would like to know what are his symptoms of asthma and how it was diagnosed as it is very difficult to definitely diagnose asthma at this young age. I also would like to know whether he regurgitates or vomits feeds, whether he has had wheezing, whether he has nose block, etcetera. From your given history, I would like to make the following suggestions for your son:
1. Please continue using treatment as suggested by his doctor. Nasal saline drops are very safe and can be used very frequently for nose blocks.
2. Breastfeeding is ideal for any infant less than six months. Personally, I discourage feeding with bottles in young infants as it can cause repeated infections (even after good care). Mother's milk provides many factors that protect an infant from allergies and infections.
3. Was I treating him, I would prescribe him an antacid like ranitidine for 1-2 weeks. If this improves his symptoms, I would suggest it continue up to at least 4-6 weeks.
4. Personally, I would suggest him testing for milk allergy (assuming he is receiving animal milk in a bottle). If the test is positive, milk and milk products may be omitted after consulting your pediatrician.
5. I would suggest you make sure that he is protected from smoke, dust and strong cold winds or air currents.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Parin N. Parmar
I would like to know what are his symptoms of asthma and how it was diagnosed as it is very difficult to definitely diagnose asthma at this young age. I also would like to know whether he regurgitates or vomits feeds, whether he has had wheezing, whether he has nose block, etcetera. From your given history, I would like to make the following suggestions for your son:
1. Please continue using treatment as suggested by his doctor. Nasal saline drops are very safe and can be used very frequently for nose blocks.
2. Breastfeeding is ideal for any infant less than six months. Personally, I discourage feeding with bottles in young infants as it can cause repeated infections (even after good care). Mother's milk provides many factors that protect an infant from allergies and infections.
3. Was I treating him, I would prescribe him an antacid like ranitidine for 1-2 weeks. If this improves his symptoms, I would suggest it continue up to at least 4-6 weeks.
4. Personally, I would suggest him testing for milk allergy (assuming he is receiving animal milk in a bottle). If the test is positive, milk and milk products may be omitted after consulting your pediatrician.
5. I would suggest you make sure that he is protected from smoke, dust and strong cold winds or air currents.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Parin N. Parmar
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