Allergies

[Daycare Mommy]

Clear, runny nose. Coughing. Sneezing. Runny eyes. CRANKINESS!

I think she's allergic to a few things but mother insinuated that it was outdoor allergies. Which is understandable since our pollen count is ridiculous! But, I need to be able to carry on with my daily activities. I've been putting off printing out my handbook to give out again but I might just have to do that along with a newsletter.

She made the comment "I can't keep her souped up on Benedryl".

OMG! Unbelievable! Of course her daughter is cranky, she is SUFFERING!! I have the same allergy symptoms minus the cough and it is absolutely miserable when the pollen comes in. Being inside is NOT enough. Is she digging at her mouth and nose? Even if she sometimes isn't showing symptoms indoors the first ones to come on could be itchy eyes, nose, mouth, and throat. Obviously she needs meds to stay comfortable this time of year. I don't like Benadryl either due to the drowsiness it can cause in some people, but if she isn't old enough for Claritin yet, it'll get the job done in the mean time. If she goes to the doc they'll probably be able to give her something else anyway. Zyrtec or a lower dosage of Claritin maybe? She should take her in. I'd make a stand on this with mom requiring meds for the little girl's sake. I just realized this post may sound nasty, just know it's not directed at you...it's at the mom. I just survived one of my worst allergy season yet, so the misery is fresh on my mind and I can't imagine surviving it without any relief! Good luck with this and I hope you can get her some help soon!

[TGT09]

Daycare Mommy, thanks for the clarification but I understood it was directed at her. Her Mom is very young and Dad is in Iraq. I feel for the little girl but this is just one of MANY things I've had an issue with both of them. :-( Because, I am a younger provider also, they think I have no knowledge but I've watched a ridiculous amount of children over the years and learned from experience. Sometimes, I feel bad sticking to my guns about being "right" about something, especially illness.

DCM just picked her up and I told her that she really needs to be on some meds and she agreed. Hopefully she'll call the doctor today since they leave for vacation tomorrow.

Oh yeah, just the topper to what I'm saying about these two...I had NO clue they were going on vacation nor that I wasn't going to have her tomorrow until JUST now! UGH UGH UGH!

[booroo]

Well I know there are meds she can be on.... My dd now 7 has suffered with allergies since she was a year, and she was on meds... This mom is crazy... I hope you charge her for the vacation time she is taking , I would.... Sorry this lady is pain in the butt!!! Good luck!

[TGT09]

Oh how I wish I could. She's a drop-in sort of every day of every week! No set schedule and only if I have the ability to take dcg (which most of the time, I do).

[TGT09]

DCM just e-mailed me to say she went to grocery and asked the pharmacist there if there was anything she could give her and the pharmacist says no! She said she went back to the section and there was an allergy blocker to put on her nose or something. So she bought that.

Now, I'm even more annoyed and I don't know if it's at her or the pharmacist! I told her to call dcg's doctor still.

[Crystal]

SINGULAIR and Your Child: Allergies and children
Millions of children have seasonal allergies, perennial (year-round) allergies, or both. If you are a parent of a child with allergies, you know how hard it can be on him or her (not to mention on you). Children sometimes cannot (or do not) tell you about their allergy symptoms. There are, however, some signs you may notice that could mean your child has allergies.

Does your child have any of the following symptoms?

A frequent congested, runny, or itchy nose
Dark circles under the eyes
Frequent breathing through the mouth
Pushing up on the nose with his or her hands (especially younger children)
Recurrent ear problems
A congested, itchy, runny nose and sneezing are common symptoms of indoor and outdoor allergies, also called indoor and outdoor allergic rhinitis (rye-NITE-iss) or hay fever. These symptoms can affect your child's everyday life. That's why it is so important to talk to your child's doctor about allergy symptoms and allergy treatments.

Facts about kids and allergies:

Allergies are believed to affect up to 40% of children in the United States.
When one or both parents have allergies, there is a greater likelihood that their child will too.
Most allergies first appear during childhood.
Allergies are more likely to develop in the oldest child in the family.
Allergies are more common in boys than girls. By adulthood, however, the number of men and women who have allergies is about the same.
Ask your child's doctor about a different way to treat indoor and outdoor allergies.

SINGULAIR is a prescription medicine approved for relief of symptoms of indoor and outdoor allergies (outdoor allergies in adults and children as young as 2 years and indoor allergies in adults and children as young as 6 months).

[TGT09]

I know there are things. I am so beyond frustrated. Maybe she'll come back next Tuesday and feel a little better. I highly doubt it since they are going on a plane which has always exacerbated anything that I had allergy or sinus wise. Once they get back, I'm sure I'll have to "make" her understand about going to the doctor for it but I think after four days of dcg's whining, she'll probably go easily. :-)

[toddletots]

The parent might want to look in to center care and see if they are willing to keep the child in during recess.

Center's also have requirements to go outside everyday weather permitting. We can't have staff stay in with a child. We just don't have enough people and it can put another room out of ratio. Our policy is if the child is to sick to be outside then they can't be in childcare.

The past week we have had one exception due to a child burning his hand on the family bbq grill. The doctors said he can participate in all activities but outside. We have made adjustments to our playground schedule to accomodate this incident so that he is in my room while his class is outside, and to stay in ratio, on of my children goes outside with his group. At the end of the day he does have to go out and sit with a staff member as both classrooms combine on the playground. His mom usually picks up about 10 minutes after we go outside.

[Daycare Mommy]

DCM just e-mailed me to say she went to grocery and asked the pharmacist there if there was anything she could give her and the pharmacist says no! She said she went back to the section and there was an allergy blocker to put on her nose or something. So she bought that.

Now, I'm even more annoyed and I don't know if it's at her or the pharmacist! I told her to call dcg's doctor still.

Ugh! Ok. Maybe there is nothing over the counter labeled for children under 2, but I'll read you this from the label of "Children's Claritin" that she can go see at any pharmacy for herself.

Directions
Children 2 to under 6 years of age; 1 tsp daily.
Children under 2 years of age; ask a doctor

She needs to call her child's doc and find out what she can give her and the dosages. The doc may just tell her over the phone without an appointment. I would insist on something before she returns. And I'm not familiar with nasal allergy blockers, and I could be wrong here but I don't imagine that helps with the pollen that gets in her eyes... I'd still push for an oral med for this considering the symptoms aren't just nasal.

[TGT09]

I agree about the blockers. Mom even made the comment "now she'll be good to go outside to the park or wherever". I'm just at a loss that there are parents that medicate themselves but don't worry about their children suffering from the same thing.

[MarinaVanessa]

I agree about that. I don't like medications and stear clear of them any chance I can but when my daughter is sick and miserable and my doctor recommends something I still give it to her. I don't think it's fair for children to feel miserable if there's something that I can give her.

As for your situation, I'm glad that you stuck to your guns. It really isn't fair to the rest of the children to have to have them all couped up because of just one. I have a waiver that I have all parents sign about children participating in all activities that I have planned. In my list of symptoms for exclusion I have also added "Too tired or fussy to participate in normal activities." I think you're right about giving everyone an updated handbook or like you said a newsletter. Sounds to me like when they return it's a good time to hand them out.

[sahm2three]

If she doesn't want to give meds, there are a TON of natural things that can be done to ease allergies. I can help out with a small list of things you could pass on if you are interested.

[TGT09]

The odd thing is I don't think she objects to giving her meds so that's why I'm a bit peeved. I have an organic family on the other hand and yes they do!

[neuf08]

I would definitely consider sending out your handbook and newsletter now. Make sure you have an official policy on the topic, and I'm sure it will help you later as this type of thing is bound to come up all the time. Even most center daycares have some level of difficulty with such requests. But your policy should definitely include something regarding making sure the child is well enough or well medicated. There are some good options out there so she doesn't have to be "souped up on Benadryl" all day. She can speak with their allergist and get a prescription. There are also some good homeopathic remedies out there that help to treat symptoms. Some of these can even work over time to help the body's own natural defenses kick in better to overcome the allergies completely. Children's Allergy Relief is a good homeopathic one. So that's something you could recommend to DCM is she's reluctant to medicate with other things.

[TGT09]

I ended up losing this dcg after having this all last week and one day this week. DCM found out DCD was cheating on her from Iraq and she grabbed the girl and moved home, which is 3 hours away. My first dck to leave. :-( I have mixed feelings about this as she was quite a terror at times (not to mention dcm was little to be desired) but dcg and I had grown attached to each other.