Over-The-Counter Medication Options To Treat Child Sinus Allergies

Why Over-The-Counter Child Sinus Allergy Medicines

In the majority of cases, child sinus allergies do not require prescription medications; even those children who are under the care of a physician for child sinus allergies will often be told to try the various over-the-counter, or OTC, allergy medicines first, and only move on to prescription medications when OTC options fail.  Over-the-counter medications are preferable for a number of reasons.

• OTC medicines for child sinus allergies are more readily available
• OTC medicines for child sinus allergies are formulated in lower doses that are considered safer
• OTC medicines for child sinus allergies are less expensive, often less expensive than an insurance co-pay
• Many OTC medicines for child sinus allergies started as prescription medications that were granted OTC status after proving their safety and effectiveness
• OTC medicines for child sinus allergies are highly effective at treating mild to moderate child sinus allergies
• The ability to manage child sinus allergies with OTC medications reduces the need for doctor's visits, which saves parents time, loss of work and income, and decreases medical costs and office overcrowding.

What Are The OTC Child Sinus Allergy Options, And What Are They Useful For?

A range of OTC child sinus allergy products are available to treat each of the main symptoms of child sinus allergies.  Among the most commonly relied on are

• Antihistamines
Antihistamines block the chemical histamine which is responsible for most allergic reactions.  In so doing, antihistamines relieve symptoms such as nasal congestion and runny nose, itchiness, watery eyes, cough, sneezing, hives, and swelling.  Common names of OTC antihistamines are Benadryl, Chlor-trimeton, Claritin, and Dimetapp.  In generic versions, look for the active ingredients (respectively given in order to brand name) diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, loratadine, and bropheniramine.

• Decongestants
Decongestants narrow blood vessels in the nose to reduce inflammation and relieve stuffiness and congestion, allowing the sinuses to drain and relieving sinus pressure (which is also essential in preventing secondary infections due to blocked sinuses).  The most well-known brand name decongestant is Sudafed, and the active ingredient in decongestants is pseudoephedrine (look for pseudoephedrine in generic versions). 

Decongestants are also available as nasal sprays such as the brand name Afrin; these work similarly to oral decongestants and contain the drug oxymetazoline.

• Combination Medicines
OTC medications are also available that have combined decongestant and antihistamine medications; these include Actifed and Claritin-D (by brand name) and combine the drugs pseudoephedrine and tripolidine or loratadine.

• Nasal Sprays
A number of nasal spray/drop medications are available over-the-counter to treat nasal allergy symptoms.  The safest among them is a simple saline nasal spray, which is a sterile salt water solution that helps rinse the nose of allergens and clear nasal congestion.

Each of these OTC medicines used to treat child sinus allergies carry the potential for negative side–effects (and rarely, allergy) such as drowsiness, hyperactivity, and stomach upset.  When these effects impact the child's daily life and activity negatively, it is worth talking to your child's doctor to find a better alternative.  Sometimes a prescription medication may have fewer side-effects than OTC versions of the drug, and you and your child's doctor can explore the possibilities.

For More Help Choosing OTC Child Sinus Allergy Medications

When you are unsure what OTC medicines for child sinus allergies are best for your child's symptoms, you can get more information by calling your pediatrician or talking to a pharmacist; either will be happy to help you explore the options and compare medications against your child's specific nasal allergy symptoms to help you determine which OTC medication will be most effective at treating your child's type of child sinus allergies.