Natural Allergy Relief for Kids

 

According to the National institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, up to 40% of children in the U.S. suffer from allergic rhinitis – which is defined as the collection of symptoms that affect the nose when you have an allergic reaction to something you breathe in.  That is a lot of itchy, sneezy, miserable kiddos!

If your child suffers from seasonal allergies and you need or want to avoid over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications -- or perhaps offer your child natural allergy relief in addition to medication -- there are a number of natural allergy remedies that effectively relieve those miserable allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and noses, and painful tenderness or pressure in the sinuses and ears.

The first step should always be to avoid the culprit. For instance, if you know your child is allergic to pollen, ragweed or mold, minimize the time they spend outside when allergen counts are high and/or when it is windy. Keep windows closed during allergy season and run the air conditioner with a HEPA filter to keep indoor air cleaner. For those times when your child can’t avoid exposure, make sure that s/he showers right after coming home and before going in their bedroom. Put their clothes directly in the laundry room so they don’t bring allergens into their bedroom.

Natural Allergy Relief 

For natural allergy relief there are homeopathic and or herbal remedies that help naturally, safely and gently relieve kids seasonal symptoms and even help strengthen their immune system to minimize and reduce future allergic reactions. Remedies such as Clear Sinus & Ear help relieve nasal congestion, ear discomfort, sinus inflammation, itching, and the tenderness and pressure that often accompany allergies. Unlike most prescription and OTC medications, these remedies don’t cause an increase in heart rate, drowsiness or over-drying of the nasal passages and sinuses.

Here are other natural – and easy(!)-- ways to relieve seasonal allergy symptoms for kids:

 

1. Keep nasal passages and eyes clear, clean & well-hydrated – Flush allergens and keep ears and eyes lubricated in the morning and evening with a saline nasal spray and natural lubricant eye drops. Remind your child not to touch their eyes and noses if at all possible as this worsens symptoms. Make sure your child stays hydrated by drinking extra water throughout the day.

2. Relieve itchy, swollen eyes & sinuses – Create a compress with cold filtered water and a washcloth to go over eyes and nose. If your child is not allergic to ragweed, put cold slices of organic cucumber on the eyes.

3. Relieve congestion and sinus pressure – Create a hot compress by soaking a washcloth in hot, filtered water and draping it over the eyes and nose. For an added decongestant boost, add a drop or two of eucalyptus or peppermint oil to the hot water before soaking the washcloth.

About the Author:

Dr. Stas' Ozog, PhD. (AM)
LAc., Dipl A & C.H.(NCCAOM)