Whether children have pets in their environments or visit places that do, parents can protect them from allergies with the right medications. A form of perennial allergic rhinitis, allergic sensitivity to pets typically produces itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose and nasal congestion when children ingest pet allergens. Not touching pets won't prevent symptoms. The proteins in pet dander and pet fluids can dry and become airborne, which children then inhale. Choices in allergy medication range from short-term, over-the-counter remedies to year-round prescriptions.
Antihistamines
Children more than 6 months old can take common, over-the-counter antihistamines, such as cetirizine and clemastine for perennial allergic rhinitis. These allergy medications may cause sedation, however, and might not be practical for daily use. Families with pets in the home may wish to choose a nondrowsy antihistamine formula, such as OTC loratadine instead.
As the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology reports, nonsedating prescription-strength desloratadine may be more appropriate treatment for continual exposure to pet dander. All regular anthistamine medicines treat allergic sneezing, itching and runny nose, but not stuffy-nose symptoms. Drugs that add a decongestant element, however, may not be suitable for children younger than 4 years old.
Cromolyn Sodium
Cromolyn sodium provides nasal congestion and other symptom reduction for children 2 years and older allergic to pet dander. Unlike antihistamine allergy medications, this nonsedating nasal spray formula works to prevent the onset of allergic rhinitis symptoms.
Nonprescription cromolyn sodium must be taken before symptoms arise, so using it on the day of expected pet exposure won't protect children from illness. This drug must also be administered four or more times daily, MayoClinic.com notes, which may create inconvenience or confusion. Although cromolyn sodium has few side effects, too much of it can cause a medical emergency, so parents must closely supervise child dosages.
Nasal Steroids
Young children can take a few nasal corticosteroid formulas for daily treatment of allergic rhinitis. Steroid nasal sprays treat congestion and runny nose, sneezing and itching symptoms from pet dander allergies. According to MayoClinic.com, low-dose nasal steroids carry less risk for the long-term side effects of oral steroid drugs, which can affect children's growth rates.
Doctors may suggest one of these prescription medicines for children 6 years of age and younger: fluticasone furoate, mometasone furoate, fluticasone propionate or flunisolide. They are nonsedating and considered safe for children to use daily, and only need one or two doses, once or twice per day.
