allergies/sinus issues & natural remedies

[atozmom]

My son does not do well with Zyrtec, Claritin, Allegra, etc.. It makes him very moody. However, if he doesn't take it he winds up with terrible sinus drainage which leads to a sore throat, cough and congestion. Especially right now with pollen so thick in our area. Has anyone tried anything natural that works well?

 

ETA: We stay away from dairy and are in the process of going GF in addition to already being dye and preservative free. We had all of our carpet removed and installed laminate flooring. We do have a pet, but she is a poodle.

[Mama Geek]

It would depend on what the allergy is. If it is pollen or things outside you might try local honey. If if is food, eliminate the food. Have you covered the bed and pillow in plastic? Do you put stuffed animals into the dryer every so often?

 

Sudafed & Clariten are usually my drugs of choice when I am having allergy problems.

[athena1277]

I also will recommend raw, local honey. A spoonful a day or eat it on a biscuit or other food. It does take time with it to notice a difference. I have heard that it takes until the second jar to notice a difference, not sure what size jar though.

[atozmom]

It would depend on what the allergy is. If it is pollen or things outside you might try local honey. If if is food, eliminate the food. Have you covered the bed and pillow in plastic? Do you put stuffed animals into the dryer every so often?

 

Sudafed & Clariten are usually my drugs of choice when I am having allergy problems.

 

We will give the honey a try. We definitely have local farms around here. We can't do plastic on the pillows. He also has OCD and will not go to sleep if his pillow is "crunching in his ears." He only has a few stuffed animals and we do throw those in the dryer every so often.

 

Allergies meds do help to prevent his issues, but they just make him so moody. One minute he's weepy, then next minute angry.

[atozmom]

I also will recommend raw, local honey. A spoonful a day or eat it on a biscuit or other food. It does take time with it to notice a difference. I have heard that it takes until the second jar to notice a difference, not sure what size jar though.

 

Thank you for your recommendation of this as well. I will be going to get some tomorrow. :)

[Jean in Newcastle]

We've gotten some homeopathic allergy medicine that has worked well for ds14. The one that has worked the best is allergiemittel.

[ssavings]

Apple cidar vinegar and local, raw honey.

[acurtis75]

I've tried several things and nothing seemed to work until I started juicing regularly with lots of green veggies. I tried juicing before for a few weeks here and there just having one glass for breakfast but that didn't do the trick. In the last 60 days I've started drinking several servings of juice with lots of kale, spinach, & cucumbers. I also add apples, carrots, lemon & ginger. After 7 to 10 days I notice a big difference. I stopped taking Zrytec D after being on it or some kind of sinus/allergy medicine for 15 years. I took a 10 day break from juicing while were were at Disney and by the end of the week needed my medicine again. Started the juicing up and within a week didn't need the medicine. I had some symptoms I would attribute to some sort of withdrawal (insomnia, tiredness, etc) for a few days but after that I was fine. I still get itchy eyes and stopped up occassionally but I just seem better able to fight it off.

 

ETA: if you try juicing be sure to start slowly with your son. My dd likes the juice but you should google "juicing for kids" to get some tips to make sure his system has time to adjust to the change and he doesn't get an upset stomach.

[kht2006]

I take activated quercetin. It really works. I also take probiotics daily and use a netti pot. I put raw honey in my hot tea every day. I am off of allergy meds for the first time in years.

[Jean in Newcastle]

I take activated quercetin. It really works. I also take probiotics daily and use a netti pot. I put raw honey in my hot tea every day. I am off of allergy meds for the first time in years.

 

Is activated quercetin different from regular quercetin supplements?

[sbgrace]

I agree on the local honey for outdoor allergens. Be aware you need to be taking it prior to the allergy season for it to help. It might be late for, say, spring allergens there now but it will help next season if you keep up with it.

 

Alergol Pollen Blocker is a tube of cream you put in the nose to trap allergens. Some people have great relief from it and it's drug free. Link here. You could also look into nasal rinses but my son hates those.

 

 

Lifestyle things you can do:

If there are indoor allergens (dust for example) consider a HEPA unit. We've got one, I can try to find the brand if you want, that was very reasonably priced for its size and it's made a huge difference for my son.

 

His bedroom has a HEPA too. We do the whole wash and dry on hot with his bedding and he goes to bed clean (showers before bed and into clean bedclothes) every night.

 

We change clothes and shower when we come in from outside in my son's heavy allergy seasons. At the least you might think of changing clothing. The pollen and etc. clings to your clothes/hair/etc. and then gets on household items like furniture.

[atozmom]

We've gotten some homeopathic allergy medicine that has worked well for ds14. The one that has worked the best is allergiemittel.

 

Thank you, I will look into that.

 

Apple cidar vinegar and local, raw honey.

 

I will be getting the honey. Hmm, not sure how well apple cidar vinegar would go over.

 

I've tried several things and nothing seemed to work until I started juicing regularly with lots of green veggies. I tried juicing before for a few weeks here and there just having one glass for breakfast but that didn't do the trick. In the last 60 days I've started drinking several servings of juice with lots of kale, spinach, & cucumbers. I also add apples, carrots, lemon & ginger. After 7 to 10 days I notice a big difference. I stopped taking Zrytec D after being on it or some kind of sinus/allergy medicine for 15 years. I took a 10 day break from juicing while were were at Disney and by the end of the week needed my medicine again. Started the juicing up and within a week didn't need the medicine. I had some symptoms I would attribute to some sort of withdrawal (insomnia, tiredness, etc) for a few days but after that I was fine. I still get itchy eyes and stopped up occassionally but I just seem better able to fight it off.

 

ETA: if you try juicing be sure to start slowly with your son. My dd likes the juice but you should google "juicing for kids" to get some tips to make sure his system has time to adjust to the change and he doesn't get an upset stomach.

 

Thank you. I will look into juicing too.

 

I take activated quercetin. It really works. I also take probiotics daily and use a netti pot. I put raw honey in my hot tea every day. I am off of allergy meds for the first time in years.

 

I have never heard of this before, I will look into it.

 

I agree on the local honey for outdoor allergens. Be aware you need to be taking it prior to the allergy season for it to help. It might be late for, say, spring allergens there now but it will help next season if you keep up with it.

 

Thank you, good to know.

Alergol Pollen Blocker is a tube of cream you put in the nose to trap allergens. Some people have great relief from it and it's drug free. Link here. You could also look into nasal rinses but my son hates those.

 

Yes, I don't see nasal rinses being a big hit here either.

 

Lifestyle things you can do:

If there are indoor allergens (dust for example) consider a HEPA unit. We've got one, I can try to find the brand if you want, that was very reasonably priced for its size and it's made a huge difference for my son.

I would lover to know which brand you bought! Thank you.

 

His bedroom has a HEPA too. We do the whole wash and dry on hot with his bedding and he goes to bed clean (showers before bed and into clean bedclothes) every night.

 

We change clothes and shower when we come in from outside in my son's heavy allergy seasons. At the least you might think of changing clothing. The pollen and etc. clings to your clothes/hair/etc. and then gets on household items like furniture.

 

Yes, ds does go to bed clean every night as well. I had not thought of a shower to eliminate the pollen, usually just the dirty, stinky boy. :lol:

 

 

 

Thank you everyone so much for all of your suggestions. I will be looking into all of them. :001_smile:

[Sandragood1]

If the allergens are from outside (pollen, molds, etc.) then your dog will bring them in on its coat - even if it is a poodle. (Trust me, I have a LARGE poodle mix with poodle hair. He brings stuff in.)

 

Keeping the dog out of your son's bedroom (all the time) will keep his sleeping place clean. If that is not possible, or you just want to keep the allergens down in the rest of the house, you will need to shampoo the dog weekly during your allergy season. You'll need a special shampoo so your poodle's skin doesn't get dry, ask your vet or at the pet store.

 

You may want to try to determine what your ds's allergies are. Allergy testing is covered by most insurance. Alternatively, you can keep a log of which days are problematic, and then compare those to the outdoor allergen levels. Also track when you vacuum and other tasks that might stir allergens in the house up into the air.

 

Good luck & keep sudafed on hand,:001_smile:

 

Sandra

[atozmom]

If the allergens are from outside (pollen, molds, etc.) then your dog will bring them in on its coat - even if it is a poodle. (Trust me, I have a LARGE poodle mix with poodle hair. He brings stuff in.)

 

Keeping the dog out of your son's bedroom (all the time) will keep his sleeping place clean. If that is not possible, or you just want to keep the allergens down in the rest of the house, you will need to shampoo the dog weekly during your allergy season. You'll need a special shampoo so your poodle's skin doesn't get dry, ask your vet or at the pet store.

 

You may want to try to determine what your ds's allergies are. Allergy testing is covered by most insurance. Alternatively, you can keep a log of which days are problematic, and then compare those to the outdoor allergen levels. Also track when you vacuum and other tasks that might stir allergens in the house up into the air.

 

Good luck & keep sudafed on hand,:001_smile:

 

Sandra

 

Actually, she does not go outside. We had to train her to use puppy pads. We almost lost her twice before she was even 2 years old because of bacteria that she kept picking up in our yard. (she eats everything she see, even tries to eat rocks) We have racoons, opossum, fox, coyote, armadillo, and many stray cats that wander in and out of our yard.

 

I will start a log. That's a good idea too. He doesn't do good with Sudafed either. Most allergy meds make him too moody. That is why I am trying to find other solutions to take the place of the meds.

[scrappyhappymama]

I have pervasive seasonal allergies, but have been pregnant or breastfeeding for the last ten years, so cannot take any typical allergy medications.

 

I've had really good luck with Allergena, which is a homeopathic allergy formula. There are several versions which are tailored to the outdoor allergens common in different parts of the US. I also buy local honey and include a spoonful in my smoothie each day. Both of these remedies have made dealing with allergies more tolerable.

[atozmom]

I have pervasive seasonal allergies, but have been pregnant or breastfeeding for the last ten years, so cannot take any typical allergy medications.

 

I've had really good luck with Allergena, which is a homeopathic allergy formula. There are several versions which are tailored to the outdoor allergens common in different parts of the US. I also buy local honey and include a spoonful in my smoothie each day. Both of these remedies have made dealing with allergies more tolerable.

 

Thanks Aimee. I will look into Allergena as well.

[Negin]

Ann-Marie, here's all the info I have. Sorry that it's a bit long and overwhelming. Some of it may not be particularly appealing to a child. :tongue_smilie: I love vitacost.com for supplements - great reviews and decent prices.

 

Allergies are a common symptom of a congested lymphatic system. Things that help to clear up the lymphatic system:

• Rebounding (bouncing on a trampoline)

• Deep Breathing

• Dry Body Brushing (some parts are directly related to the sinuses)

• Massage and/or Reflexology

• Swinging (sitting on a swing)

 

NUTRITION

Eat nutritious, colorful foods – blueberries, tomatoes, broccoli, fruits, veggies

 

More Omega-3s (salmon, mackerel, flaxseed, walnuts, chia seeds)

Eat 1 oz of walnuts daily – walnuts contain a healthy fat called ALA, which keeps your immune system working properly, so it’s less likely to overreact to pollen in the air.

 

Get enough fluids – water and warm drinks as well

 

Spicy foods help if you’re stuffed up and can open up nasal passages

 

Quercetin (apples, onions, citrus fruits, and garlic) works like antihistamines

Apple skins are loaded with quercetin.

Quercetin may help relieve congestion, itchy eyes, and other pesky allergy symptoms.

 

SUPPLEMENTS

Omega-3 Supplements – Carlson’s Fish Oil or any good fish oil

 

Vitamin D3 reduces inflammation in infected lung tissues

Without D3 the body’s immune soldiers—T cells—can’t fight infections

I give my children 2000 IU per day and symptoms have greatly improved.

 

Probiotics – Take them daily (particularly a brand with shelf-stable lactobacillus) while you’re on antibiotics and for at least 3 months after you finish your Rx.

Those with grass pollen allergies who take probiotics experience fewer allergy symptoms than those who don’t.

Any probiotic you take should contain at least 1-5 billion colony-forming units (CFUs).

Nature’s Way Primadoophilus Optima delivers more than 35-billion CFUs.

Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics 12 PLUS

Culturelle

Nature’s Way Probifia Pearls

Enzymatic Therapy Acidophilus Pearls

Jarrow

 

Butterbur – works like an antihistamine. It can work as well as Zyrtec or Allegra at relieving allergy symptoms.

A common brand is Petadolex.

Make sure the label specifies that pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been removed.

Get ones with capsules free of Pas, compounds found in crude butterbur that are toxic to the liver.

 

If you don’t have a history of allergies and just experience occasional flare-ups, you might get relief from a general homeopathic blend. Take combination blends when symptoms strike. Or if you know you have seasonal allergies, it may help to start the formula a couple of weeks before the season begins.

Boiron’s Sabadil

Hyland’s Seasonal Allergy Relief

Heel’s Luffeel Nasal Spray

 

Place 3 drops of Goldenrod extract under the tongue. Repeat as necessary until nasal passages are clear. Goldenrod is particularly effective for treating congestion caused by allergies.

 

Quercetin (apples, onions, citrus fruits, and garlic) works like antihistamines

1200 mg quercetin daily OR 200 to 500 mg 2-3 times a day

Apple skins are loaded with quercetin. There are two major benefits of consuming the many fruits and vegetables that contain quercetin or taking quercetin supplements. In the short term, quercetin may help relieve congestion, itchy eyes, and other pesky allergy symptoms. Over time, taking this valuable substance might help prevent life-threatening conditions, such as cancer and heart disease.

QBC Plex is a good supplement to take. It has Querctin, Bromelain and Vitamin C. The quercetin is for the allergies, bromelain for swelling in nasal tissues and the vitamin C is just good for healing.

 

Freeze-Dried Stinging Nettle – Take 300 mg of freeze-dried stinging nettle a day.

 

Sinus Survival: The Holistic Medical Treatment for Sinusitis, Allergies, and Colds – Dr. Robert Ivker

 

[atozmom]

Ann-Marie, here's all the info I have. Sorry that it's a bit long and overwhelming. Some of it may not be particularly appealing to a child. :tongue_smilie: I love vitacost.com for supplements - great reviews and decent prices.

 

Allergies are a common symptom of a congested lymphatic system. Things that help to clear up the lymphatic system:

• Rebounding (bouncing on a trampoline)

• Deep Breathing

• Dry Body Brushing (some parts are directly related to the sinuses)

• Massage and/or Reflexology

• Swinging (sitting on a swing)

 

NUTRITION

Eat nutritious, colorful foods – blueberries, tomatoes, broccoli, fruits, veggies

 

More Omega-3s (salmon, mackerel, flaxseed, walnuts, chia seeds)

Eat 1 oz of walnuts daily – walnuts contain a healthy fat called ALA, which keeps your immune system working properly, so it’s less likely to overreact to pollen in the air.

 

Get enough fluids – water and warm drinks as well

 

Spicy foods help if you’re stuffed up and can open up nasal passages

 

Quercetin (apples, onions, citrus fruits, and garlic) works like antihistamines

Apple skins are loaded with quercetin.

Quercetin may help relieve congestion, itchy eyes, and other pesky allergy symptoms.

 

SUPPLEMENTS

Omega-3 Supplements – Carlson’s Fish Oil or any good fish oil

 

Vitamin D3 reduces inflammation in infected lung tissues

Without D3 the body’s immune soldiers—T cells—can’t fight infections

I give my children 2000 IU per day and symptoms have greatly improved.

 

Probiotics – Take them daily (particularly a brand with shelf-stable lactobacillus) while you’re on antibiotics and for at least 3 months after you finish your Rx.

Those with grass pollen allergies who take probiotics experience fewer allergy symptoms than those who don’t.

Any probiotic you take should contain at least 1-5 billion colony-forming units (CFUs).

Nature’s Way Primadoophilus Optima delivers more than 35-billion CFUs.

Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics 12 PLUS

Culturelle

Nature’s Way Probifia Pearls

Enzymatic Therapy Acidophilus Pearls

Jarrow

 

Butterbur – works like an antihistamine. It can work as well as Zyrtec or Allegra at relieving allergy symptoms.

A common brand is Petadolex.

Make sure the label specifies that pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been removed.

Get ones with capsules free of Pas, compounds found in crude butterbur that are toxic to the liver.

 

If you don’t have a history of allergies and just experience occasional flare-ups, you might get relief from a general homeopathic blend. Take combination blends when symptoms strike. Or if you know you have seasonal allergies, it may help to start the formula a couple of weeks before the season begins.

Boiron’s Sabadil

Hyland’s Seasonal Allergy Relief

Heel’s Luffeel Nasal Spray

 

Place 3 drops of Goldenrod extract under the tongue. Repeat as necessary until nasal passages are clear. Goldenrod is particularly effective for treating congestion caused by allergies.

 

Quercetin (apples, onions, citrus fruits, and garlic) works like antihistamines

1200 mg quercetin daily OR 200 to 500 mg 2-3 times a day

Apple skins are loaded with quercetin. There are two major benefits of consuming the many fruits and vegetables that contain quercetin or taking quercetin supplements. In the short term, quercetin may help relieve congestion, itchy eyes, and other pesky allergy symptoms. Over time, taking this valuable substance might help prevent life-threatening conditions, such as cancer and heart disease.

QBC Plex is a good supplement to take. It has Querctin, Bromelain and Vitamin C. The quercetin is for the allergies, bromelain for swelling in nasal tissues and the vitamin C is just good for healing.

 

Freeze-Dried Stinging Nettle – Take 300 mg of freeze-dried stinging nettle a day.

 

Sinus Survival: The Holistic Medical Treatment for Sinusitis, Allergies, and Colds – Dr. Robert Ivker

 

 

Wow! Thank you so much!