Question: "I have heard that children with constant runny noses or nasal allergy problems may possibly have a milk protein allergy. I have had my four year old on nasal allergy spray and Claritin, per the physicians orders, but he never gets totally clear.
Any ideas or suggestions?"
Springfield Moms Reader Answered by Dr. Jeffrey Lehman, Director of the Huff & Puff Allergy and Asthma program at St. John's Children's Hospital.
Answer: Nasal symptoms are a common component of systemic food allergic reactions. However, isolated allergic nasal symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, congestion) in response to foods is rare. Therefore, if your four year old only exhibits constant runny nose without any other symptoms including: hives, eczema, swelling, wheezing, abdominal pain or vomiting/diarrhea shortly after ingestion of milk products then I doubt it is related.
The easiest way to determine if milk is the cause is to remove it from his/her diet. Do you really want to deprive a four year old from eating cheese, ice cream and other dairy products? However, he could have allergies to common environmental inhalant allergens such as animal dander or dust mites. If his symptoms were seasonal then he could have allergies to tree/grass pollens, ragweed, weeds or molds. If he continues to have these symptoms despite treatment for allergies, then you may want to have a specialist (ENT or Allergist) take a look at him.
Dr. Jeffrey Lehman is Director of the Huff & Puff Allergy and Asthma program at St. John's Children's Hospital.
He is employed by St. John's Hospital and practices Allergy/Immunology at Physician's Group Associates in Springfield. He is also a clinical assistant professor on the volunteer faculty for SIU School of Medicine. He is board certified in Allergy/Immunology, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. The Allergy & Primary Immunodeficiency Clinic is for children who were born with an immune system that is not working correctly, often resulting in infections that are more severe and longer lasting. To schedule an appointment, call 217-698-9722, ext 231.
