zrytec vs steriod for under 2s

I have an 18-mo daughter with food allergies. She suffers from periodic flare-ups and a stubborn mouth rash (red skin along lipline) that I treat with steroid (elocon/elomet; 1% hydrocortisone having no effect anymore).


When she turned 1, her paed allergist recommended, together by steriod use, zrytec (in baby doses) when she has a flare-up. Never consider giving it until she developed a nasty reaction couple of months back from an insect bite making her ear swelled up like a balloon, which led us to hospital emergency and the doctor saying we need zrytec pronto. Interesting thing is that upon one single dose of zrytec, not only did the ear swell subsided totally, the old rashes on her body not caused by insect bite eg mouth rash were gone too. And stayed gone for 2-3 weeks.


Then last week a mild 'accident' happened at a party and 'cos it involved eggs which she is very allergic to, I gave her zrytec and again the itchiness stopped and mouth rash gone!


Okay, my question to the panel is this: as I use steriod now only to treat her stubborn mouth rash, would zrytec outweigh the use of steroid at this sensitive part of the body, cos despite being extremely careful and putting it along her lipline after she sleeps, it bothers me she must have swallowed some even in her sleep.


My husband's brother, with 2 eczema kids himself, said he gives zrytec nightly to the older child, aged 3 now, as it helps him breathe and not vomit at night from build-up of mucus at back of throat (he suffers from bad respiratory problems from allergy to dustmites). This child was initally given steroid spray but parents switched to zrytec as they are also uncomfortable spraying steroid up the child's nose.


My question is: is zrytec the better of two evils so to speak? Can a child become immune to zrytec like antibiotics? My husband is strong advocate for zrytec as he takes another anti-histamine, clarytene, all his life with seemingly no problems. I myself suffered from snius problems in my teens and was prescribed some antihistamine medicine. Of course we are talking about a under 2 here and I being a fanatical mum, wish to do my own research before giving anything, medication or cream alike, to her.


Please advice...

mummybee, you obviously care for your baby's wellbeing a great deal and I therefore urge you to consult a natural medicine practitioner.


I've been using natural medicine for over 15 years and can personally attest to the great benefits I've gained. I've also seen many many many babies and kids who suffered from eczema, food allergies, asthma, colic, etc cured by using natural medicine. I just know no one has to put up with the negative repercussions of conventional medicine only if we know better.


Send me a PM for recommendation.

Please do send me a PM, Sylvialili, contact details of this medicine practitioner you recommend and trust!

The trouble with either antihistamines or steroids is that you're only suppressing the body's immune system (as it obviously is over reacting)


We try to cure allergies - i.e. stop this over reaction. I've seen this form of Kinesiology work on kids even with severe peanut allergies.


Brett Scott, an Australian, has an incredibly experience and is the Kinesiologist. Phone 25238044 to make an appointment.

Drsj, mind if you elaborate a little more about this kinesiology? Haven't heard of it.


I do realise that managing my daughter's eczema using steroid and medication is only superficial and it would be great if I can cure her from within but correct me if I am wrong, can you actually cure food allergy, ie make someone allergic to peanuts no longer allergic to it, as in complete cure? I was told by all the paeds and skin specialists I went to that food allergy has no cure; you either outgrow it as you get older, or it stays with you for life but symptoms of allergy may change from hives/eczema to sinus/asthma/diarrhoea etc. My husband has a strong family of allergies (as I said our child and his brother's two children - 3 out of 3 grandkids have eczema - have food allergies) so there is a strong genetic disposition. As such can mutation(s) of allergy genes or genes responsible for hyperactive immune system be cured by kinesiology?


I tend to believe that natural medicine, may it be in the form of chinese herbs or homeopathic oils, have a better chance of managing eczema but not curing allergy itself as it builds up immune system. Even so, I am concerned of a few things: (1) I don;t want to see anyone who doesn't come HIGHLY recommended (had bad experience); (2) some herbs are known to carry natural steroids, in doses much higher than steroid in tubes; (3) given my daughter's multiple allergies, very very worried she will react badly to the herbs / natural medicine.


Guess I really want to ask mummies specifically about zrytec vs steroids, as I am no longer interested to try alternative treatments as I have been scarred so to speak and don;t believe in them...unless you can convince me otherwise!