Allergies and ADHD

People who have ADHD also tend to have allergies, asthma, and/or eczema.  No one is really sure why, although it may have to do with either overall body inflammation.  Or maybe people with allergies, asthma, and eczema don't sleep as well and just can't concentrate.  Or maybe its the medication that makes people sleepy and unable to focus.

Allergy season is definitely upon us where we live.  We can see the blossoming trees everywhere.  That is when we whip out the antihistamines and shut our windows (just when we were able to open them and get some fresh air!).  DD's ADHD seems to have gotten worse too.  She claims it is because she is always having to wipe her nose and its just one more distraction.  Last year, Claritin (loratidine) made her hyperactivity much worse, although she avoided any asthma attacks.  This year, the pediatrician suggested to try either Zyrtec (cetirizine) or nasal steroids.    We are trying our first dose of cetirizine tonight, so we'll see how things go.

I have noticed that there is a nasal steroid available over the counter, Nasacort 24 H.  Pricing seems on par with most of the brand name allergy medications, but I have a cousin who went blind from taking nasal steroids (it weakened her immune system and she got a fungal infection in her sinuses, which then spread to her brain).  I realize that my cousin's story is a rarity, but I just don't want to go that way unless there is no other choice.

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