How do you know if it's a cold or allergies!!(Update witha question..wwyd)

I have just about had it with John being congested the ENTIRE WINTER...literally he doesn't even know what it feels like to be able to breathe out of his nose!!!!

Now he has a bad cough when he is sleeping...

So...how do I know if this is allergies or a cold... and does it make a difference???

Nothing works anyway..cough meds dont work...generic benedryl doesn't work... humidifier doesnt work....cant elevate a 17 month olds mattress..moves too much and sleeps on his stomach.....

Im tired.. he's tired.. up all night with a cough.. I hate that I can't help him!!! maybe he needs clariton or something!!
ugggggg

ETA question: Would you take him to the dr.??? He is on a low dose amox b/c of the ent rec to "ride out the season" so he dosn't ahve to get tubes....so if he's on meds already and its not doing anything..is there a point to going to the ped for the "night cough" doesn't cough during the day so Im assuming it's a drip>>


sorry for theramble.

Message edited 4/11/2011 9:09:10 AM.

Re: How do you know if it's a cold or allergies!!

Sorry Linda poor John!

I thought I read that kids don't get seasonal allergies this young?

Re: How do you know if it's a cold or allergies!!

I need to know too!! Dylan has had a cough, congestion and stuffy nose ALL Winter. It goes away for a few days and then back again!!! I mentioned to the ped and she said he could be getting one cold after another at daycare. I'm stilling thinking allergies!!

Re: How do you know if it's a cold or allergies!!

we are in the same boat...both boys have only had a 4 week window of nothing. Right now they both have congestion & cough with stuffy noses. Nicholas is back on the nebulizer & going to the ped today to see if any changes. Jj has been battling this for 2 weeks. Nothing works...

Re: How do you know if it's a cold or allergies!!

I'm in the same boat. Just when I think he's getting better he's had this hacking cough the last few days.
Last night was a nightmare. Not sure what woke him... maybe the cough or he was gassy, but he was up screaming at 1AM and DH or I couldn't get him back to sleep till 3AM. He was so upset and we couldn't calm him down... in out of yelling.
FInally DH got him some milk and he started falling asleep on me so I put him in his crib and he was out. Woke up this morning with smiles and singing while I'm a walking zombie this morning in the office....
off to get coffee

Re: How do you know if it's a cold or allergies!!

DS has been like this all winter long. It's been fustrating. I asked at the last dr visit, and ped said it was just another cold.

Re: How do you know if it's a cold or allergies!!

Posted by EricaAlt

I'm in the same boat. Just when I think he's getting better he's had this hacking cough the last few days.
Last night was a nightmare. Not sure what woke him... maybe the cough or he was gassy, but he was up screaming at 1AM and DH or I couldn't get him back to sleep till 3AM. He was so upset and we couldn't calm him down... in out of yelling.
FInally DH got him some milk and he started falling asleep on me so I put him in his crib and he was out. Woke up this morning with smiles and singing while I'm a walking zombie this morning in the office....
off to get coffee

Re: How do you know if it's a cold or allergies!!(Update witha question..wwyd)

bump: added question.

Re: How do you know if it's a cold or allergies!!(Update witha question..wwyd)

Posted by Linda1003

Posted by EricaAlt

I'm in the same boat. Just when I think he's getting better he's had this hacking cough the last few days.
Last night was a nightmare. Not sure what woke him... maybe the cough or he was gassy, but he was up screaming at 1AM and DH or I couldn't get him back to sleep till 3AM. He was so upset and we couldn't calm him down... in out of yelling.
FInally DH got him some milk and he started falling asleep on me so I put him in his crib and he was out. Woke up this morning with smiles and singing while I'm a walking zombie this morning in the office....
off to get coffee

I hear ya!! we were up all night listening to him cough.. he actually woke crying once...but then I forced myself out of bed at 5:15 to workout I just dont know what to do.. should i just assume the cough will go away.. or take him to the ped??? Hmm maybe ill edit my post...

Re: How do you know if it's a cold or allergies!!(Update witha question..wwyd)

I hope this doesn’t come off rude, so if it does please forgive.

Do you think by ANY chance he is being exposed to mold? My friend daughter seemed to always have a cold and then they found mold in the attic. Once it was all cleaned and properly taken care of their daughter, got better almost instantly

Re: How do you know if it's a cold or allergies!!(Update witha question..wwyd)

My older DD had allergies like this from about 9 months and older. We did try all different allergy medicines and wound up with Claritin working the best.

Re: How do you know if it's a cold or allergies!!(Update witha question..wwyd)

Re: How do you know if it's a cold or allergies!!(Update witha question..wwyd)

how do they test for allergies? and how would I know if there was mold?

Re: How do you know if it's a cold or allergies!!(Update witha question..wwyd)

You can take him to an allergist and he is not too young. My son was diagnosed with environmental allergies when he was under a year. For night you could ry some of the homeopathic cough syrups at Whole Foods. I used one but I can't remember the name. Check with your Dr first-but I think its OK. Good luck

Re: How do you know if it's a cold or allergies!!(Update witha question..wwyd)

They usually don't want to "test" for allergies until they are over 3 unless it is causing serious issues.

As for the mold, you can have your house checked out by a company for it. Mold is a long shot, but could be in your walls or attic if you've had a leak.