Just a quick question about allergies. Sam was started on Clariton about 2 weeks ago and now I don't know what the heck is going on.

He always had a ton of snotty noses and we weren't sure what he had so or ped started him on clariten for it to see what happens. He did great. No runny noses, no more cough etc...

So my question is:

Should I get him tested for environmental allergies to see what is actually causing the allergies or not?

Thanks for the help!

Since he's still so young, chances are that the doctor won't run allergy tests yet. Most doctors won't do them until they're AT LEAST 2 years old, b/c the results aren't as reliable until then. I've even heard of some doctors that won't run the tests until they're 5. Chronic sinusitis due to the reflux is always a possibility too, but you'd probably need to see a ped. respirologist about that one.

Thanks Janette - I see I posted this in the wrong forum. If you want you can move it.

Many times, ped's don't test the kids for allergies. My older one, Kaylin was put on Claritin, based on her symptoms and a "let's see if this does anything" and it did. No more stuffy nose, she's sleeping through the night, and her cough is gone. She's six, but it's similar. I'm glad the ped. tried the Claritin on her, because now we know she has allergies. I'm not real worried about what she's allergic to, as long as the medicine does what it's supposed to. If the med is helping Sam, then I wouldn't worry about allergy tests right now. Maybe when he's older or if the Claritin stops working for him.

I was diagnosed with allergies as a child, and before I then knew exactly what I was allergic to they put me on allergy meds. Once they found out what I was allergic to, they didn't change the meds at all....they just new what I was allergic to so it didn't really change anything. I would say if the allergy meds are working for your little one I wouldn't worry. I'm not sure if testing has changed, but its not fun. I got a bunch of pricks on my back and then they put something on each prick and the ones that started to itch and were raised were the ones I was allergic to. All I can remember is it wasn't any fun and my back was itching like crazy!