Hello everyone! My 3YO has been taking Claritin for a little over a month (Children’s oral Claritin) for his eczema. Two weeks ago he had really loose diarrhea stools. After that incident, He didnt poop several times a day, just every other morning with somewhat looser than normal stools. Other than that, no fever, not losing weight, and he’s very hydrated. He’s also very active and acting like his normal self. He doesn’t poop right after eating either. Just when he poops it is either super mushy or almost undigested (little food particles)
Just wondering, since this has started two weeks ago, I don’t think it can be a stomach bug. Only thing I could think of is Claritin side effect?
Is this normal? Please help me!
My family has never had any issues with Claritin.
But diarrhea is listed as a possible Claritin side effect.
https://www.rxlist.com/claritin-side-effects-drug-center.htm
It might settle down after an adjustment period.
See what your doctor or pharmacist says about it.
If it doesn't get better soon you might need to switch to a different medication.
The best thing you can do is just write it all down and give your doctor's office a call. The nurse should be able to talk to you about it, ask more questions and help determine whether this is within the "normal" range or not.
It actually sounds like he's "normal" now. Not everyone poops right after they eat. It's ok to go every other day. Some food simply does not digest completely (corn comes to mind but there are others).
I'm not sure why you think it couldn't be a stomach bug. That's exactly what it sounds like to me, but please do not take my word for it. You really need to talk to your pediatrician about this.
For what it's worth, my son takes Claritin in the spring and fall for allergies. I do not believe he's ever had a reaction like this ... then again, I'm not a doctor, so what do I know?
Your doctor and your pharmacist are great resources. Use them, more than once if necessary.
It also may help you to know that mucus and postnasal drip are huge causes of intestinal upset and change. It may be the Claritin, but it may be the very thing you're giving him Claritin for. Or something else.
Keep a food diary, a medication diary and a stool diary for a few weeks and see what happens. If you change or discontinue meds, note that as well.
Welcome to mamapedia, M..
Yes, one of the side effects of Claritin is diarrhea. Contact your pharmacist and pediatrician to let them know what is going on and if there is something else they can offer you for your son. Especially if that is what they recommended for your son for his Eczema.
Look at your son's diet and what products you use. Eczema is a reaction to something. So keep a food log about his reactions to foods. See how he reacts to didn't lotions, shampoos and body wash. DO NOT change everything at once. Do one thing at a time. Once you find the trigger? His eczema should decrease if not go away.
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/children-s-claritin-allergy-sid...
Thanks for your question M. K.
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One of my kiddos has an allergy and a side effect of that allergy is his eczema flared up. We treated his eczema for over ten years (dermatologists) before realizing he had an allergy.
So what's the allergy to? Have you removed the allergen? That's where I would start? Is it a food allergy? Food allergies cause diarrhea or loose stools.
So I would start there. Eczema could be a result of that. Have you seen an allergist?
The reason I suggest this is because you could be approaching this backwards, as we did. Then you could waste years dealing with a skin condition when you're missing the cause.
I don't think it's a side effect of the Claritin (personally) because it should have happened immediately when he first took it if it would have upset his tummy - not 2 weeks in. That's just my two cents, and experience.
I would check with the doctor or a pharmacist, or even call the Claritin 1-800 number. But definitely ask about seeing an allergist. Better to get to the route of the problem. Eczema (after really going through this first hand for many years) is often a sign of a BIGGER problem - just the skin reacting to some underlying issue.
Figure that out, rather than dealing with it - and you'll have much better results.
Good luck :)
* There are simple cases of baby/infant eczema (I have 2 other children who had that) but it's not so bad that you would need to take Claritin for it. That's the kind that a thick emollient would take care of it. There's a difference.
What is your son allergic to? Who told you to give him the Claritin?
Why are you examining his poop? Mama. You need to stop. Humans don't normally poop right after eating either. It might be the way his body works. But our bodies change.
Get your son to an allergist to have him tested for allergies and then go from there.
could be.
could also be a gazillion other things.
hm. who could actually help with this? who has the training, the background, the actual experience with not only this medication but your child?
huh. what a pickle.
khairete
S.
I buy local honey for allergies and take a spoon a day about a month before allergy season. A local lady has bees!!!
I just looked up the side effects and loose stools are on the list.
I would call your doctor to see what to do. Being constipated is awful!
My almost 7 year old takes it daily for months at a time during the year due to seasonable/environmental allergies. She hasn't had any gastrointestinal issues. But she's a lot older than your son and everyone's different. I would consult a pharmacist.
Your child needs allergy testing first and foremost. Get that appointment. Make sure your child drinks plenty of water the day before and the morning of the appointment. Ask when you make the appointment if they have butterfly needles for children. (Much easier for children.) They will need to take blood, and you will need to have your child NOT take the Claritin for 5 days prior to the appointment in order to get true results.
If you don’t have a pediatric dermatologist, find one and make an appointment for about 4 weeks after the allergist appointment. (It takes at least 3 weeks for allergy testing results to come back, and you want those results.) Pediatric dermatologists have very full schedules and you have to call way in advance, so work on this now.
Don’t use regular clothes detergent. Use Dreft, at least until you see the pediatric dermatologist and talk about brands. Cera Ve lotion and Dove soap are what dermatologists recommend for adults. Try these now and check those brands along with the detergent with the pediatric dermatologist.
Time to take this by the horns. You can’t keep giving a child medicine that disrupts his GI tract. Figure out what’s causing the allergy, and use an allergist and true pediatric dermatologist to manage this condition.
