Millions of Americans, both adults and children alike, deal with allergies every year. Some are sensitive to seasonal changes, such as the pollen floating in the air during spring, while others have a year-round allergy to pet dander. Whatever the allergen might be, the resulting symptoms are never fun. Thankfully, there are treatments that can help.
If you prefer you avoid traditional allergy meds, like decongestants or antihistamines, there are a handful of natural allergy medicines to consider. Some, like allergy immunotherapy, are more effective than others, but the best choice for your kiddo will hinge on their unique needs. This is a contributed post. 
Understanding Allergies in Kids
Allergies in children are much like those in adults—they’re the immune system’s reaction to a foreign substance deemed harmful (even though they’re usually harmless). Your child’s body produces antibodies, blood proteins that counteract a specific antigen.
These antibodies are responsible for the symptoms you recognize as an allergic reaction. When your child is exposed to the allergen, those antibodies communicate with cells, triggering the release of specific chemicals that cause the reaction.
Those symptoms may include:
- Skin rashes
- Hives
- Difficulty breathing
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes
- Stomach upset
In the case of severe allergies, children may experience difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires prompt medical attention.
Exploring Natural Allergy Medicines vs. Other Treatments
People have been dealing with allergies for centuries. Some of the earliest records of these irritating conditions date back to ancient Greek and Roman history. So, it’s no surprise that, long before corticosteroids and antihistamines, there were natural treatments that alleviated allergic symptoms.
Over the years, natural allergy medicines have spanned everything from foods containing a specific antioxidant to devices that flush the sinuses. These solutions include:
- Quercetin: This natural antioxidant, found in foods like apples, green tea, and onions, has been used to reduce allergy symptoms.
- Butterbur: This herbal supplement has long been used to treat various conditions, including allergies and migraines.
- Probiotics: Often found in foods like kefir, yogurt, and sauerkraut, these have historically been used to reduce the severity of allergic reactions.
- Sinus flushing devices: These devices flush the sinuses with salt water to help alleviate nasal congestion and allergy symptoms.
- Immunotherapy: This treatment uses tiny doses of an allergen to reduce the body’s reactivity to the substance.
In more recent years, modern medicine has introduced alternatives that are incredibly effective for reducing allergic symptoms over the short term. These include:
- Antihistamines: These medications block the action of histamine, a naturally produced substance in the body during an allergic reaction, to relieve sneezing, itching, and runny noses.
- Corticosteroids: These anti-inflammatory medications help reduce inflammation in nasal passages and airways to offer relief from respiratory allergy symptoms.
- Decongestants: These medications constrict blood vessels in the nasal passages to reduce nasal congestion associated with allergies.
Each treatment, both natural and traditional, can be effective in treating allergies and related symptoms. However, most of these treatments only last for a little while, and after the effects wear off, your child will be back to square one. There is one option, though, that offers long-term relief: allergy immunotherapy.
Allergy Immunotherapy: A Highly Effective Solution
Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is a specialized treatment that reduces the body’s sensitivity to a particular allergen through repeated exposure. There are two main types: sublingual and subcutaneous.
Sublingual allergy immunotherapy (SLIT) is administered under the tongue in the form of tablets or drops. Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is administered under the skin via an injection. SLIT is more commonly used for children, as it’s more convenient for most families and can be administered at home.
The tablets, drops, and injections contain small, incrementally increasing doses of whatever allergen your child is sensitive to, such as bee venom, pollen, or pet dander. This exposes your child’s immune system to the allergen, giving it the chance to build an allergen-specific tolerance.
It achieves this by reducing the production of the “blocking” antibodies responsible for kickstarting the reaction. Over time, that can translate to fewer symptoms when your child is exposed to the allergen. Of course, every child is different, so the process isn’t linear.
Generally, it takes two to three years to see the best results from AIT, although the first improvements might appear in the first year.
Closing Thoughts
Natural allergy medicines can be an excellent solution to irritating allergies in kiddos. However, it’s important to choose wisely. Some options don’t last nearly as long as others, offering a similar effect to that of traditional treatments, like corticosteroids and decongestants. If you’re looking for a long-term solution to your child’s allergies, allergy immunotherapy might be a good choice.
It uses naturally occurring allergen extracts to desensitize your child’s body to the allergen, potentially helping achieve an allergen-specific tolerance. It can be highly effective for various allergies, from seasonal to pet. Of course, if you’re considering the merits of natural allergy medicines like AIT for your child, remember to talk to their primary care physician, first. Your child’s doctor can help choose the best option based on your child’s needs and medical history.