| Parents: Do you think there's much truth to the idea that milk causes kids to have runny noses & persistent coughs? |
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Asked 3 years ago
by Aaron  Canada |
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Our son's had a runny nose and congestion (especially at night) for at least a month. He's in daycare so it could a series of colds, but it doesn't seem to get better or worse so I'm wondering if it could be a dairy allergy or something else. Any parental advice? Thanks!
I'm not a parent, and it doesn't sound like lactose intolerance to me, but it couldn't hurt to experiment by pulling milk for a month. Try a fortified rice milk instead, they are quite good.
Ooh hadn't thought about fortified, but yeah we're trying a few days without dairy. No harm in testing. Last night his nose did seem better, but who knows.
Rice Dreams (and Trader Joe's version of Rice Dreams) has one fortified with calcium...they also have a vanilla flavor (yum) and a chocolate flavor (chocolate heaven yum!). I prefer the Rice drink to the soy one...better flavor.
Yeah, I'm already a fan of rice dream. It tastes vaguely like coconut if you close your eyes and want it to taste like coconut. :P
LACTOSE INTOLERANCE IS NOT AN ALLERGIC REACTION.
It does not involve the immune system AT ALL.
Stop shouting, it is rude. And I know that.
Mayoclinic symptom checker might help you.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/symptom-checker/DS00671
Thanks Aussie!
heres' some good info on milk allergy:
http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/nutrition/milk_allergy.html
Right on, thanks dauguy.
At night when you are resting should be the time when you have the _least_ issues, not the most. His body is resting, and should be winning the virus-wars. If he is having more issues at night, then you should look to his night-time environment.
My #1 suspicion would be a dust allergy, because it's so very common. I'd get him allergy tested. Encase his pillow and mattress, and wash all his bedding in hot water, preferably with bleach. Also, if he has any stuffed toys, I'm sorry to say, but those are prime culprits as well (for dust as well as mould alleriges, actually).
Dehumidifier, might be the answer. I don't have one, but someone here will know if they are good.
Growing up in New England, the air was so dry in the winter that we actually used a humidifier. I assume that wherever Aaron lives the situation could be the same...
Yeah, worked for me. And my cat.
She has chronic bronchitis and due to the humidifier, I have been able to drop one of her meds.
Humidifiers are good for dust allergies too. Moisture in the air sticks to the dust particles, and makes them heavier so they drop to the ground, where you cannot inhale them. You still need to hoover frequently, but it helps a lot.
I should add contrariwise to that, humidifiers will raise the level of mould spores in the air. So it depends what you're allergic to :).
Thanks chaleur, it's so dry here right now that I'm guessing mold wouldn't stand a chance.
OK, here goes. I'll try to be brief and just throw out the ideas...
Could be dairy. Daycare is a HUGE breeding ground where germs go from one to another and back again. If he gets a lot of ear infections, take him to an EENT. Another possibility is allergies to his environ or asthma. Do you have pets? Could be soap you wash his clothes and bedclothes with? Maybe what his pillow is composed of? Could be food? Be alert, track his intake and his whereabouts and hopefully you'll notice a pattern. Good luck and be vigilant!
Thanks for the brainstorm, I hadn't considered stuff like asthma, pillows or soap!
READ THIS and decide for yourself
http://www.notmilk.com/kradjian.html