Cold or allergies? And what to do?

[Guest guest]

Lilly (my 6 month old) has had a swollen lymph node on the right

side of her neck. In addition the past several nights she's woken

up with severe nasal congestion. It makes a rattling sound. I

brought her into bed with me and felt her back and it was rattling

down by her lungs too. She coughs and sneezes occasionally in the

evening and at night. During the day she has none of these

symptoms. Her daycare provider and her children just came back from

vacation and they all have colds. But Lilly wasn't with them last

week so I didn't think it would be a cold.

 

So I'm not sure what is going on. I'm concerned that she may be

allergic to our dog. I'm allergic to him and take a nosespray.

I've really slacked off on running the air purifiers and vacuuming

every day like I usually do. He doesn't sleep in her room or

anything but ocassionally goes in there to check on her (he just

loves her and she loves him too). So I didn't have them around each

other at all last night and her congestion was better, but she still

woke up at 3:30 AM with congestion.

 

I talked to her doctor who said it's pretty early for allergies to

show up, they usually show up around 2 or 3. She thinks it's a cold.

 

What do you think? Does your child have allergies? If so, how do

you treat them?

 

My husband and I already discussed taking out the carpet and putting

hardwood floors in and limiting where the dog can go. I would just

hate to get rid of him as we rescued him from a shelter and he's

such a sweet dog.

 

Do you have any ideas on how to work with this congestion?

 

I'd appreciate any input.

 

Thanks,

Paula