C.,
My son has been asthmatic since he was about to turn 2... he also was hospitalized 2 already b/c of brochial infection and asthma combo... So here's what my son was given originally... Albuetrol (in both inhaler & liquid form) liquid for the nebulizer sort of makes it like a vaporizer but instead of water its medicine... he was also originally on the Flovent inhaler for daily maintenance and Albueterol was for occurences and to treat when he had an eposide...
Yes, allergies are connected to asthma... In fact, my son's last doctor asked me my medical history related to allergies and asthma... dad & me don't have asthma or g-pas/g-mas... but I suffered extremely of allergies growing up... So my son inherited my allergies to a minor degree as allergies but also developed some allergies which became the asthma...
Claritin is a good one b/c it clears the allergies for a day or several days... depending on the childs reaction to taking the medicine...
Albuetrol is good but remember they are all steroids...
Now that my son is 4 yrs old going on 5, he has less episodes of asthma (it's more of a seasonal asthma, when the weather changes, he gets the attacks and also with colds/flu too)... So we immediately start him on the nebulizer every 4 hrs and at school if he's not that sick he takes the inhaler with the chamber connected... (no chamber gets them high so always use it).
I keep the inhalers around and everywhere to ensure he's safe where ever he is... and we haven't had to use them as often...
If you have any more questions, let me know...
p.s. foods that have helped him with the asthma are... yogurts, oranges, apples, all types of fruit... oh yea and helping to stay regular with bowl movements are the little drinks called Yakuit and granola bars... 1 a day of each of these have helped tremendously....
p.s.s. take an asthma class, usually provided by your health insurance and also educate yourself with the triggers... such as, dust, cockaroaches, certain detergents/soaps, grass, trees, animals, etc...
Good luck
C. B.