6 Year Old Diagnosed with Asthma/allergies

yes, the older they get the more they will grow out of it. My oldest son is 13 now, and we just have a dog now, he is on Singular, but only when he needs it.

Hi,

Based on your comments it sounds as if your son will be fine. I can't say that he will outgrow it, but I think there's a very good possibility that you can live with the allergies and pets. I am highly allergic to dust mites and slightly allergic to pet dander. My husband and I have two dogs, two cats, and two little boys. Both of my boys appear to have my allergies. The cats now live outside in the shed based on Dr's recommendations, but I think they will be coming inside shortly. My eldest appears to have outgrown his cat allergies, but the youngest had a hard time this last winter. Talk to your son's doctors and allergist about your love of animals. My allergist took one look at me and knew the animals weren't going anywhere. We've worked a good solution. We have tile throughout the house, simple window coverings, and all mattresses and pillows are covered. We are doing fine. I think the love of a good animal is great for your children. Go with your instinct. In addition there are some dog breeds which are hypoallergenic. I'm gong that route next time, because these dogs don't shed.

Hello,

My son was diagnosed with asthma at 3. I took hime for allergy testing and he is allergic to trees and grass. He has been on many "control" meds, which really havent stabalized him. I understand about the cough. With my son, once I hear that croup sounding cough, I get his nebulizer ready and have to treat him rigt away. He flairs up in hours and is in the doc's office sometimes 2 times a week. Last septemer he was in the ER 5 times. My son is now 10, and just finished 4th grade. The attendance office told me that his absences total more than one year since first grade. I took him to the pulmonologist, and he has been seen there since then. I wasnt aware that his allergies can be treated by the allergist and his asthma at the pulmonologist. I was in tears when I told the pulmo doc, that my son hasnt had a life ! No little league, playing outside, camping, boy scouts, karate etc. I said it isnt fair that my son hasnt been a boy he and I have missed him participating in sports. I also said that I think it is rediculous being told that he will grow out of it. That isnt fair o my son who is now 10 and hasnt been able to play and have a social life. The pulmo doc began seeing my son monthly and we found a medication that has worked. So far it has been over a month that he hasnt gotten sick. He usually is sick and on steroids once a month. My son is also on weekly immunotherapy shots for the allergies. I believe that everyone is different and that it isnt fair for our kids to be tortured and wait and see IF they grow out of asthma. I have asthma and allergies, my brother does too. It runs in the family and I havent grown out of it, nor has my brother. What I have learned is that asthma HAS to be controlled. The shots do work but if you dont have the correct meds, then there is no control. Make sure you have a good allergist. If your son keeps having to many epsiodes and the meds arent keeping him "cotrolled, you may want help from the pulmo doc. I am happy that I have my doctors and even more happy to see my baby ride his bike every day. I love seeing him dirty b/c he was outside!! I know his self esteem is better now.. I hope sharing my experience helps. Good luck and you can contact me if you have any questions.

By the way, I have 19 allergies. The most severe is dust mites and cats, mild allergy to dogs. I have 3 dogs and there is no way I will ever part from my babies. The doctor told me to make sure they are bathed and dont let them on the bed. They have thier kennels to sleep in. There is a solution to everything and depriving him from the unconditional love of a dog isnt the answer for me. I cant have a cat b/c I react immediately just walking in at the pet store, but I did have 2 cats in the past. Weird huh?

My husband had severe allergies and asthma as a child, and there was no shortage of dogs in his family. From what I understand he didn't entirely grow out of the allergies or asthma, but it got much better as he grew older. I would suggest a hypo-allergenic pet. I don't know much about cats, but there are several dogs that are hypo-allergenic. For example, Maltese,I think the Poodle and many more. Good luck!

I have grown out of my pet allergies, but only my own. When I go home, it takes about a week to get over my mom's animals, then I am fine. I grew out of the family pet allergies after being diagnosed at 6 within a year. I would give it a chance. Also lots of vacuuming and sweeping is necessary. My own cats are indoor/outdoor so I'd say that the season also makes a difference. If you have carpets, then make sure you vacuum alot. My sister is on meds for her cats, and is doing fine. Good luck! Jen

PS. My oldest cat (13) is long haired so it is possible to become immune to your own animals.

Hey L.,

I am a 44 yr old woman with two children, ages 9 and 10. I am also a pharmacist.

I feel your pain on the allergy/asthma thing. I've had allergies to cats, dogs & horses (all of which I love) all my life, since I was a small child. However, as of about 3 years ago my allergies to animals cleared up and my asthma greatly improved. What happened is I started working on my immune system. As it got stronger the allergies began to disappear. One of the ways I did this was by taking a whole-food product called Juice Plus. It is 17 fruits and vegetables in a capsule. It also comes in a chewable form for children. Both me, and my kids are on it, and I wouldn't go a day without it b/c of how my health has improved. The cool thing is, your 6 yr old is actually eligible to get Juice Plus free for up to 3 years with an adult sponser. Children b/t the ages of 6 and 15 are eligible for an ongoing Children's Research study being conducted by NSA, the makers of Juice Plus.

I can get you some more information if you're interested. Meanwhile, you can check out this website, www.juiceplus.com

Also,Juice Plus is endorsed by physicians, myself, and many other medical professionals because it has clinical research to back it.

Hope this helps,
L. W Rowe, Rph.

L.-It seems like I will be the first one to say get rid of your animals. Although you think it will be heartbreaking to your son, he will get over it---I did...I was diagnosed with asthma and allergies when I was young and we did have to give a family cat away. Well, as I grew up I was able to mostly overcome my allergies and asthma to the point that I do not have to take a daily medication. I still cannot go near animals, and will have a reaction, but, in my opinion it is much better than having to take a daily medication for asthma. Have you read the precautions/implications of long periods of use? Although Singulair is such a wonderful medication, the implications of years of use could harm your son in the long run. So, I would say, is it really better to continue giving him meds just so you can have animals in your home or is it really in your son's best interest to let the animals go to a good home and then try to allow time for your son to possibly be weaned off of the meds. I guess I have a hard time understanding why you would allow animals in your home even though you know there could be harm to your son. My son has epilepsy and cannot ride roller coasters (one of his favorites before he was diagnosed)----he will survive...as your son would, with a better quality of life without animals in your home.

Hi L.,

My son is 26 months old and has been on singular for over a year and he is also on Zytec for the last months and it works great. See he is allergic to everything i am in which is just about everything including animals. My pediatrian is great and said keep the dog and cat and see what happens, if the medicine works then keep them. My son is great with the animals, I just have to make sure that I keep the cat out of his room or he has a problem sleeping. Will he grow out of the allergies well I havent and im 29. But my allergieries are not as bad as they use to be so thats what I am hoping for my son. Also when my sons cough starts to get bad and I can hear him start to weeze i have a nebulizer that i put him on. If I catch it right away then he is fine the next day.

Hope this helps.

My son went through similar symptoms. He is allergic to cats and we have three. We recently took the carpet out of our house and that seemed to help alot.

He may grow out of it. I know that sometimes just changing the things you use to clean your house helps a whole lot. You should do some research on the things you currently use. Maybe that will help. Good luck with everything!!

Hey L.. My children both have that problem. They were diagnosed with HAD (hyperactive airway disease) or sometimes known as RAD ( Reactive Airway Disease) . My children are easily allergic to dust strong perfumes or cleaners and of course the infamous pet dander. All of those things cause my children to have cold like symptoms which then convert into terrible cough attacks or worst the Croupe cough were it sounds like they are coughing like a barking dog. My daughter 2yrs old is the one that had 1 minor asthmatic reaction were she seemed really winded and just breathing fast like she had ran a marathon at 9 months old. The dr instructed me on what to do and I was able to stop the attack from reaching it full potential but that was a scary moment. Anyhow my doctor mentioned to me that not having pets at this time may be the best idea meanwhile. He also stated that normally around the age of 6 or 7 my children would be easily immuned to the effects of pet dander where it shouldnt effect them as much as now. So dont lose hope eventually pets at home will work out for you. But trust me getting one now will just induce those cough attacks and never ending colds.

My mom has miniature terriers (4). When my children go to her home she puts the dogs away in a room all there own and she normally has vaccumed up swept and mopped 2 times . Still my children leave her house with water itchy eyes and a watery nose. So imagine if I expose them on a daily bases to an animal. Totally wouldnt work out.

L.: My son is 8 months old and he is on Singulair and doing amazing. My husband has allergies and I noticed my son having trouble breathing out of his nose and getting really cranky for obvious reasons. I did some research and couldn't wait for him to turn 6 months old so I could start him on Singulair. He has not been sick one time since being on the med. I do believe that they will grow out of it or not be as sensitive to allergies. We have two dogs and I just believe it is treatable. Also there is a product caller AllerPet you can get it at your local vet. If you put it on your dog or cat it will cut the dander extremely down. They make it for dogs and cats it works wonders. Good luck. B.