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I have Bacterial Vaginosis – please can you help?!
Q: My doctor has told me I have an overgrowth of bacteria (he said vaginosis – I think) not an infection, he said it was very common and just a nuisance rather than an infection, so I was quite surprised they prescribed antibiotics anyway, he also said there was a high chance of it returning after taking antibiotics and I would probably have to have them again in the future!! So I thought what’s the point of stuffing up your body with them in the first place!! Please can you help?!
A: Bacterial Vaginosis is very common and occurs when the delicate balance of good and bad bacteria in the vagina has become disrupted. An overgrowth of ‘bad’ bacteria then causes an unpleasant fish-smelling discharge, which can be white or grey, or thin and watery. Causes of this condition include sexual intercourse, scented/chemical soaps and body washes, using scented vaginal products, having a uterine coil.
The conventional approach is to prescribe antibiotics, however although these will kill off the overgrowth of bad bacteria, they will also kill off some of the important good bacteria also and so the problem is extremely likely to reoccur.
What I always recommend instead is Renew Life’s Ultimate Flora Women – a high potency, multi-strain probiotic supplement specifically for women, for bacterial or fungal problems in the vaginal or urinary area – we have had excellent success rates with this. Crucially what it does is re-address the balance of bacteria to make sure the good and bad bacteria are in a good and healthy balance, just as they should be. This probiotic can be used for thrush, vaginosis, cystitis and all other urinary tract infections.
Other supplements that are helpful are:
Garlic supplements – garlic has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties
Vitamin C 1000mg take three times daily – needed for proper immune function
Sugar feeds bacterial overgrowth and infections so avoid all sugar, fruit juice, fruit, alcohol etc until the problem has completely cleared. Make sure also that you drink plenty of water and herbal teas, eat a very healthy diet with as many alkaline foods as possible.
Wear cotton underwear and avoid tight fitting clothes.
Choose natural fragrance-free soaps and body washes – our silver-MSM based range of products is ideal. Either wash with Argentum Plus Silver-MSM Soap or if you prefer a bath then Silver-MSM Milky Foambath. These are completely natural chemical-free, fragrance free and will not worsen the condition.
Please do contact us if you have any further queries.
What can you recommend for Seborrheic Dermatitis?
Q: My 16 year old daughter has been diagnosed with having Seborrheic Dermatitis on the face and scalp. She has very flaky, red and inflamed skin around the sides of her nose, in her eyebrows and hairline. We have been prescribed the tar-based shampoo etc but it is not working at all. Please can you help?
A: Yes we have a range of natural products specifically designed for people suffering with seborrhea. Seborrheic Dermatitis is a combination of very oily skin with eczema, the skin can be very dry, flaky and inflamed and yet oily and greasy too.
We would always recommend that you test patch any new product even natural ones to make sure that the ingredients suit your skin. These would be our recommendations:
To begin with spray the areas liberally with Silver-MSM Hi-Strength Skin Spray. Silver has many healing properties, it is antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and promotes healing. MSM (organic sulphur) is very healing and beneficial to the skin. This spray can be applied directly into the hairline and eyebrows without making the hair or skin greasy in those areas – it is just like water in consistency.
When the skin has dried naturally then apply Silver-MSM Seb Derm Lotion to the affected areas. It contains very specific ingredients to reduce inflammation, balance sebum levels, and heal the skin. Apply as often as required throughout the day.
To cleanse the skin and scalp use Silver-MSM Seb Derm Showergel which is suitable as a shampoo and shower-gel in one. It is very mild and gentle and can also be used on the face.
You can also view our Seb-Derm skin discounted kits here
Although seborrheic dermatitis can be triggered by stress, it can also be linked to nutritional deficiencies, and so it does need to be addressed internally through good nutrition, diet and the use of specific supplements. We always recommend a high EPA omega 3 fish oil supplement to help reduce inflammation, balance sebum levels and nourish the skin from the inside. Then we would always take a good quality multi-nutrient specifically for the skin such as Higher Nature’s Sher Skin Supplement – to ensure good levels of specific nutrients are taken. A good probiotic is also essential for healthy skin, ensuring good levels of healthy bacteria are present in the gut – a healthy gut means healthy skin.
Our Seb Derm Kit 1 contains all of these supplements
The correct diet is extremely important, ensuring high levels of the B vitamin biotin, a deficiancy in which has been specifically connected to seborrhea. For more information on this please do to our Seborrheic Dermatitis information page here
We have had many customers over the years who have had very good results with this approach.
What natural remedies can you recommend for Candida?
Q: I would like some advice regarding the use of colloidal silver. For about 10 years I have had itching around my anus. Initially it seemed to stem from IBS and loose bowel movements. I was prescribed Questran and everything went back to normal for a bit then the itching got worse again. Then 5 years ago when I was pregnant I got itching on one labia. I have been seeing a consultant who has prescribed steroid creams that work while I use them but I don’t like the idea of using them on my skin for years. I have recently started to suffer from thrush. I was wondering if it could all be related to Candida and was looking for something to apply to the skin and to take orally to try and fight it in my system? What would you recommend? Can you take colloidal silver orally? Or is it just for topical use?
A: It does certainly sound very much like you have Candida from the symptoms you have described. The best approach I find is to first try to kill of the overgrowth of yeast, starve the body of sugar and yeast, and then replenish levels of good bacteria afterwards.
These are the products that I would recommend considering:
Renew Life CandiGone – a well know and respected natural food supplement specifically designed to kill candida in the system
If you can I would also really recommend this Renew Life Ultimate Flora Women for the thrush – take this capsule at a different time of day to the CandiGone
I would start with these and see how you get on. If you do need to do more then the following products are also excellent:
North American Herb & Spice OregaPlus – oregano is a powderful anti-fungal and this is a very potent yet non-irritating oregano
After you have finished using these anti-fungals, when your symptoms have gone or dramatically improved, then I would recommend taking a high dose probiotic such as Udo’s Choice Super 8 Hi Count Macrobiotics. Or if you prefer to stay with Renew Life their Ultimate Flora Critical Care is excellent.
While you are taking the natural anti-fungals it is very important to starve the body of sugar in all it’s forms. The following dietary advice is vital:
– Avoid all sugar, all fruit and all products containing yeast. Candida thrive on sugar, so your diet should also be low in carbohydrates.
– Avoid aged cheeses, alcohol, baked goods (sweet and savory), chocolate, dried fruit, fermented foods, all grains that contain gluten (wheats, oats, rye and barley), ham, honey, nut butters, pickles and chutneys, potatoes, mushrooms, soy sauce, all sauces, mustard and vinegar.
– You will also need to eliminate citrus fruits and acidic fruits such as orange, grapefruit, tomatoes, lemons, pineapple and limes.
– Avoid oral contraceptives as these can upset the balance of good bacteria in the body, leading to an overgrowth of C.albicans.
– Drink only purified or filtered water, and herbal teas using the same pure water.
– Eat vegetables, fish and gluten-free grains such as brown rice and millet.
– Once you are happy that your symptoms have gone you can carefully and gradually re-introduce many of these foods.
Topically I would recommend:
Hi Strength and Broad Spectrum Silver-MSM Skin Spray – excellent topically for the itching and thrush. We also have a 200ml refill bottle for this here. Sadly I cannot recommend Colloidal Silver to be taken orally anymore, since the EU changed it from a natural food supplement to a topical only product. However if you choose to yourself and research it etc it is also excellent, safe and effective at killing fungi.
Biocare’s Intrafresh pessaries are also excellent and are specifically for thrush – a natural alternative to over the counter medication such as Canistan. These pessaries contain good bacteria to help re-address the in-balance in the vaginal area. They are also very soothing.
How can I fight off stomach bugs?
Q: When my children pick up stomach bugs with vomiting and or diarrhoea I catch them too. Please can you tell me what we could all use to help treat or prevent this?
A: Vomiting and diarrhoea is the bodies way of eliminating parasites, bacteria and other toxins and foreign bodies and so it is an essential process. However there are natural products that can be used to help kill off parasites, bacteria and bugs, and to support the digestion through this process.
Grapefruit Seed Extract is a powerful natural ingredient, literally derived from the seeds of a grapefruit, which is antibacterial, antiviral, and antiparasitic. It basically kills most bugs. Use it at the very first sign of a stomach bug, sickness, vomiting or diarrhoea. We recommend Higher Nature’s Citricidal. Adults can take up to 12 drops three or four times a day in water or juice on an empty stomach – always take diluted. This is fantastic stuff – we always take this away on holiday with us just in case. Children over the age of 2 can have two drops three times a day, children over the age of 6 can have three or four drops three times a day etc. For children it can be mixed into some non-dairy milk or juice.
You can also use Grapefruit seed extract to gargle with or take a few drops in water or juice. Also use as a mouthwash, facial and nail cleanser, skin rinse and household cleanser. Ideal for digestive health while travelling.
In addition to this for adults and children over the age of 3 we would also recommend Optibac’s For Bowel Calm probiotic capsules which can be opened and mixed into food or drink. These are a natural alternative to over the counter diarrhoea medication – these probiotics however DO NOT stop you going to the toilet in the same way that diarrhoea medication can do. For bowel calm contains pure Saccharomyces boulardii, a natural and safe probiotic yeast with extensive scientific research on its benefits in supporting bowel health. S. boulardii has been internationally acclaimed as the number one probiotic for diarrhoea – to reduce discomfort and urgency and restore regular bowel movements. S. boulardii has undergone extensive clinical research proving its ability to flush out pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella and its therapeutic benefits against diarrhoea.
If you are using these at the same time as the Citricidal then use the Citricidal during the day, and take the for Bowel Calm in the evening before bedtime. This is the ideal combination.
Drink plenty of fluids if you can – water, herbal tea, green drinks etc – to make sure you do not get dehydrated and to help flush out the system.
For children below the age of 2 who are too young to have the Grapefruit Seed extract the best course of action is to give a probiotic supplement to help support the digestion through what is quite a traumatic time. When a person has vomiting or diarrhoea the elimination process not only helps to rid the body of pathogens but also causes some good bacteria to be lost. These need to be replaced for a strong and healthy digestion. For children from birth upwards we would recommend Udo’s Choice Infant Blend Probiotic or Microbiotic as it is now called. Or in easy to travel with sachets we have Optibac’s For Children available as a pack of 10 individual sachets or a pack of 30 sachets.
If you are just unable to give anything to your child orally while they have a stomach bug, apart from some fluids, then ensure that you give a probiotic as soon as you can afterwards to replenish and to settle the stomach and help regulate bowel movement again.
Once you are sure that the stomach bug has gone then you can replenish the system with good bacteria.
Udo’s Choice produce excellent multi-strain probiotics for all ages, an Infant Blend, Junior Blend, Adult Blend and Adult 50+ Blend, plus a Super-8 Hi Count containing 30 billion good bacteria per capsule. You can view the full range here.
Take these for anything from 1-2 months after an episode – this will also help to reduce the frequency of further bouts.
What natural remedies are there for babies with Croup?
Q: My 3 month old baby has croup. Please can you tell me what remedies if any are suitable for her age to help with this condition?
A: Croup is an upper respiratory viral infection that mainly affects babies and children between the ages of three months and three years because their air passageways are smaller and narrower than adults and older children.
We would recommend the following natural health supplements depending on the age of your child:
BETA GLUCANS are a truly remarkable supplement that is suitable for infants and children. They are found naturally in certain mushrooms and in bakers yeast. There is no yeast of fungi in the product just purified beta glucans. Clinically proven Glucamune is for anyone (all adults, children and infants) whose immune system is in need of a boost or because it could be run down through poor diet, stress, illness, age or lifestyle. It can be used to help fight allergies; help prevent infections such as cold and flu; add extra natural protection to help stay well when travelling; or simply to maintain the very best of health. Use Glucamune to naturally kick start your body’s defence system to help boost natural immunity, fight against infection or just stay at your very best.
Dosage – give the contents of 1/2 capsule a day twice a day for infants mixed into any milk, or a little bit of milk on a spoon, or sprinkled over food. For children give 1 to 4 capsules a day depending on need, again mixed into a smoothie/yoghurt/milky drink (dairy or non-dairy)/porridge/jam/honey etc.
We also now have Immiflex for Kids which is the same type of beta glucan but with added Vitamin D and is again suitable from birth.
VITAMIN C is essential when fighting infections and helps control infection and fever by supporting the immune system. Biocare’s Vitasorb C is suitable from birth and provides 40mg of vitamin C per 4 drops. Suggested dosages during illness are 60mg four times a day for children aged 6-12 months; 100mg 4 times a day for children aged 1-4 years; and 500mg four times a day for children over the age of 4.
Other vitamin C options are NEW FROM BIOCARE Children’s NutriFruits® which delivers vitamins C, E, Bilberry and Beta Carotene in a base of freeze-dried fruit and vegetable extracts making a tasty and nutritious, child-friendly formulation. Suitable from age 1 each 5g portion gives 100mg of vitamin C.
For all children who can manage chewable supplements (usually age 2 and over) there is Nature’s Plus Animal Parade Vitamin C chewable animal shaped tablets.
ZINC extra zinc is also essential when fighting infections to help boost the immune system and promote healing. Biocare’s Nutrisorb Zinc Plus Ascorbate contains both zinc and 100mg of vitamin C and is suitable from the age of three months onwards. Dosage is 5 or 10 small drops a day mixed into any drink.
We also have Nature’s Plus Animal Parade KidZinc lozenges which are again chewable fruity tablets.
VITAMIN A is important to help heal inflamed mucous membranes and again Biocare’s Vitasorb A is ideal but is suitable only from 12 months of age. Other sources of vitamin A are a multivitamin (see below) or good food sources of beta carotene which may be suitable during illness in the form of soups and smoothies made from predominantly red and orange coloured fruits and vegetables.
VITAMIN D3 and VITAMIN E are also helpful. Vitamin D3 is important for so many bodily functions but also the strength of the immune system and is available as Biocare’s Bio-D drops which is suitable from birth, Nature’s Plus Animal Parade D3 or new Higher Nature Kids D3 Spray from aged 3.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant nutrient needed for protecting cell membranes against damage from free radicals and is available from Biocare Vitasorb E suitable from birth.
A good children’s multivitamin or multinutrient is also ideal either generally on a daily basis or during times of illness to help support the immune system. You can view all our multivitamins for babies and children here.
MANUKA HONEY can be very helpful for soothing a sore throat and easing a cough. It also has antiseptic properties, and is suitable for infants over the age of 1.
BLACK ELDERBERRY can also be taken alongside all of the above. It is literally extract of black elderberries like you see in the hedgerows and it has powerful immune boosting properties. Sambucol for Kids is suitable from age 1.
NATURAL INHALANTS should help to relieve congestion and you can choose from either Jason’s Best Cold Relief Vapour Ointment or Essential Care’s Breathe Ease For Children.
We would also recommend contacting a local homeopath or a homeopathic pharmacy such as Helios or Ainsworths to get a homeopathic remedy made up specifically for your child’s symptoms. Homepathic remedies can be particularly effective for children.
RELEVANT LINKS:
Information page – Croup
Immune Support for Babies & Children
Please CONTACT US if you need any further advice
Can you recommend a probiotic for a baby with cows milk allergy?
Q: My 18 week old baby has a cow’s milk protein allergy/intolerance and suffers with severe trapped wind, even though he is on an amino acid baby formula for the intolerance. Please can you recommend a dairy-free probiotic to help his digestion?
A: I would recommend the following probiotic, which has high levels of good bacteria and is vegan and therefore completely dairy free:
Biocare Baby Infantis Powder – this is suitable from birth up to 12 months of age and so is specifically for young babies. It contains the Bifidobacteria which are the primary bacteria found in breast milk. You mix 1 gram (quarter of a teaspoon) of the powder each day into a cold or tepid drink or food. This probiotic will last for 2 months. It contains billions of good bacteria as opposed to the millions that are in some probiotics, so therefore is more therapeutic.
For babies and children over the age of 6 months or 12 months with a cows milk allergy or intolerance we would recommend Biocare’s Bio-Acidophilus and give the contents of 1 capsule a day mixed into cold or tepid food or drink.
Probiotics can be given daily long-term or just until you feel your child no longer requires them for a specific health issue.
Probiotics certainly do help with trapped wind and colic because they help to strengthen the digestive system. They have no side effects. The odd child could experience a slight upset tummy from the FOS (the substrate or ‘food’ the bacteria feed on which is in most probiotic supplements) because it is a little bit like fibre, but really not many children do and it is nothing to worry about at all, although please do let us know if you experience this.
You might also like to consider Nature’s Answer Windy Pops – a very gentle herbal formula specifically to help ease trapped wind. This can be given 3 or 4 times a day to help ease trapped wind. It is suitable from 6 months.
You may also find one of these homeopathic formulas helpful if you feel your baby matches one of the symptoms most:
Homeopathic remedies – these can be very effective for colic.
Colocynthis 30c if your baby seems very windy and is pulling their legs up in pain
Dioscorea for windy pain that causes your baby to arch back and stretch out their legs
Chamomilla 30c if these symptoms are not happening but your baby is clearly distressed, is inconsolable, is better for being carried, or if stools are green
Pulsatilla 30c if colic occurs after eating rich foods and if your baby wants affection (Pulsatilla children are clingy)
Mag Phos 30c is very good for easing cramps and pain particularly if the pains are better for warmth
Nux Vomica 30c if the colic is accompanied by a fever – see Homeopathy for all these remedies.
Also here is our main information section on Colic:
/Babies-Health?prod=BABI#colic
Please do contact us should you need any further help or advice at all.
Which probiotic is best for my child?
Since we began trading as 100% Nature in 2005 probiotics for both babies and children have always been one of our specialist and best-selling products. Probiotic supplements provide freeze-dried ‘good’ bacteria to the gut to ensure a healthy digestion and immune system. These good bacteria are the same or similar to the ones found in yoghurt drinks and products in the supermarket, however probiotic supplements have a far higher and therefore more therapeutic levels of bacteria, and do not contain the dairy or high levels of sugar, as many of these products do.
Normally in powder form, whether in capsules or not, probiotic supplements are helpful for many digestive, skin and immune issues including: colic, reflux, allergies, food sensitivities, Thrush, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), diarrhoea, vomiting, after antibiotic use, constipation, eczema and acne.
We have several premium quality probiotics that are either specifically for or suitable for babies and children, but which one is the best one for your child?
For newborn babies who are actually allergic to milk, or who are bottle fed and therefore don’t receive the beneficial flora (good bacteria) from their mother’s milk, or who have had to have oral antibiotics at an early age, or have reflux or thrush, we would recommend Biocare’s Baby Infantis Powder – all of Biocare’s probiotics are vegan, and therefore the cultures are not grown on a dairy base like many probiotic strains are.
If you have a history of allergies in your families and you are pregnant then two new probiotic supplements have been developed just for you. During your pregnancy we would strongly suggest that you take Biocare’s AnteNatal BioFlora and then to your newborn baby give the Baby BioFlora. These ground-breaking probiotics have been proven to reduce the incidence of allergies including asthma and eczema. The Baby BioFlora does contain a small amount of G.O.S (prebiotic) from dairy which is found naturally in breast milk.
For any child who is allergic to dairy, or has asthma or rhinitis, or any other digestive or immune issues and is allergic to dairy or vegan, then Biocare’s Bio-Acidophilus is ideal. It is vegan and comes in capsule form but these can easily be opened and the tasteless powder dissolved into any cold or tepid food or drink. This probiotic contains the infamous LAB4 combination of bacteria which are unique to Biocare and extensively tested. It is suitable from 6 months of age in an age-appropriate dose, and can be taken by adults too (full dose).
For babies and children who have either had to have antibiotics, have had a stomach bug, have diarrhoea (cause unknown), are prone to infections and illness, have food sensitivities or colic then Dr Udo’s Infant Blend Probiotic is ideal. It is suitable from birth to 5 years and can be given as a regular dose, or a higher dose depending on the severity of the symptoms you are dealing with. Optibac’s For your Child’s Health is another good option for any of the problems above, and is suitable from 6 months of age. This comes as individual sachets of powder. Both of these probiotics contains a blend of 5 different strains of good bacteria, and are grown on a dairy-base – so suitable for children with an intolerance to dairy but not children who are allergic.
For children aged 5 plus with any of the above issues or requirements there is then Dr Udo’s Junior Blend Probiotic available as mini capsules.
If your child has eczema we always recommend Biocare’s Mindlinx powder because in addition to the probiotic strains it also contains the amino acid L-Glutamine which is known to help heal the lining of the gut wall. Adults and children with allergies including eczema have been shown to have a more porous gut lining which allows larger particle of food to be absorbed directly into the blood stream and this in turn can cause allergic reactions. This probiotic is vegan and therefore dairy-free.
For adults and children from the age of 1 there is an effective probiotic (with prebiotic – the substrate on which good bacteria feed) specifically for constipation. It is also safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Constipation is very common during pregnancy and in young children so this product is a clever, natural solution to that. The combination of B.lactis BB-12 and prebiotic fibres has been shown to be especially effective in preventing and treating constipation. Plus with this approach you will only strengthen the digestive instead of risking making it more sluggish with over-the-counter or prescription laxatives. Optibac’s For Maintaining Regularity comes in individual sachets and is available as packs of 10 or 30.
If you or your child has a stomach bug and you are looking for a natural alternative to over the counter medication like Imodium then Optibacs Bowel Calm is ideal. It contains the S. boulardii strain of bacteria which has been internationally acclaimed as the number one probiotic for diarrhoea – to reduce discomfort and urgency and restore regular bowel movements. It comes in 3 pack sizes and is suitable from age 3.
Last but not least we have Higher Nature’s Probio-Easy which is also suitable from birth upwards. It is very popular because of it’s price and is certainly better to be using this than nothing at all. The reason it costs less is because it has millions of good bacteria as opposed to the billions of good bacteria which are in all of the above probiotics. This we would say is more for everyday general health as opposed to being for specific health complaints.
If having read this article you still need help deciding on which probiotic is right for your child please do Contact Us.
You can view all our children’s probiotics here
What can you recommend for the rotavirus in children please?
QUESTION: My child has had rotavirus 4 times (he is 4 years old now), and suffers a lot. What would you recommend please?
ANSWER: Rotavirus is a virus that causes gastroenteritis – severe vomiting and diarrhoea – most commonly in infants and children. Once a child has become infected with the virus there is usually an incubation period of two days, followed by vomiting and then severe diarrhoea for six to eight days. Even just one bout of diarrhoea or vomiting causes a loss of good bacteria in the gut and low levels of these beneficial bacteria can result in an increase of infections. Replenishing good bacteria in the gut is so important after any stomach bug.
We have several very good brands of probiotics for children and babies, and one that we recommend for many children either after an infection or after antibiotic use is Udo’s Choice Infant Probiotic – a premium quality probiotic for children aged 0 to 5 years to help rebalance and replenish levels of friendly bacteria in the gut, so important after any bout of intestinal infection. Give as per the instructions on the bottle, twice a day. Keep in the fridge.
In terms of the virus itself I can really recommend Glucamune by Vitalize Health. This natural food supplement contains beta glucans which have powerful natural antiviral properties, they can be used to fight all viruses, strengthen the immune system, have no known side effects and are brilliant for children. They can be given every day long term if required, or just as required.
Capsules can be opened and mixed into food or drink, usually something thicker than juice or water is best, so yoghurt, smoothies, milky drinks etc. I would give 2 capsules a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon or evening. This can be increased at the first sign of illness to 3 or 4 a day. A 1 a day maintenance dose can also be given long-term until such a time that you feel you no longer require them daily.
I would give these two supplements daily for 6 to 12 months and during this time assess improvement. Please do contact us if further help is required.
What can you recommend for Hayfever at this time of year?
QUESTION:
My husband is suffering more than usual this year with hayfever. Please can you tell me what you would recommend to help him? And what is suitable for children with the same symptoms?
ANSWER:
There is actually much that can be done to support the immune system and reduce the symptoms of hayfever, naturally. I would recommend:
Bee Prepared Max Strength Immune Support (20 capsules) £11.99
This potent combination of immune-boosting natural ingredients is ideal for use during the allergy season or for anyone with allergies long-term. The more that you do to boost the immune system the less likely the body is to have an allergic reaction. Unbeelievable Health who produce these clever supplements have had excellent feedback over the years with regard to their impact on hayfever. Bee Prepared Max Strength contains premium quality bee propolis, black elderberry, olive leaf extract, beta glucans, astaxanthin and reishi mushroom – all of which have a history of use for supporting the immune system. At 100% Nature we have been recommending beta glucans, elder berry and olive leaf extract for many years and now can then all be found in the same one supplement. They can be taken just when you need them, or all year round if you prefer.
For young children who cannot yet swallow capsules I would recommend instead Vitalize Health’s Glucasan+ which is high dose purified beta glucans – capsules can be opened and mixed into food or drink – yoghurts or smoothies are usually best.
Biocare’s Quercetin Plus with Vitamin C & Bromelain (90 capsules) £22.96 is a high potency formula developed especially for allergies. Quercetin is a bioflavanoid which behaves like a natural anti-histamine, stabilizing cells which produce histamine and cause allergic reactions. Bromelain is found in pineapple and when taken in between meals has natural anti-inflammatory properties and so reduces the internal inflammation associated with hayfever. Vitamin C is important to support the immune system. Together they support strong immunity in hayfever sufferers.
Higher Nature’s Quercetin & Bromelain with Vitamin C (60 tablets) £14.20 is another option in a lower dose and smaller size pot. This is suitable for children from age 4 years plus in a smaller dose.
A.Vogel’s Pollinosan Hayfever Tablets (120 dissolving lactose tablets) £9.15 is currently one of A.Vogel’s best-selling products. It is a licensed homeopathic medicinal product that is proven to relieve the symptoms of hayfever and allergic rhinitis (allergy to animal hair, dust, mould etc) including itching and watery eyes, sneezing, tickly nose or throat and a blocked nose. It contains 7 tropical herbs in homeopathic potencies and is suitable for adults and children over the age of 12 years.
Children younger than 12 years can use Ainsworth’s Hayfever 30c a combination of mixed pollens with three important hayfever remedies which usually has a big impact on most cases at this time of the year. Suitable from birth.
A.Vogel Pollinosan Luffa Nasal Spray (formerly just Luffa Nasal Spray) is also now a licensed medical device and so has been shown to help eliminate from the nasal passages pollen and other allergens. It contains the same seven tropical herbs as the Pollinosan Hayfever Tablets but this time in isotonic solution and works by rinsing and cleansing the nose and also restores fluid and moisture in the nasal passages, making the nose feel soothed and more comfortable. It is now suitable for age 4 years plus and can be used 2 to 5 times a day as required.
Finally….
HayMax is a great little award-winning product, a natural and organic drug-free pollen barrier balm that stops pollen entering the nasal passages – stop the pollen before you sneeze! Incredible testimonials and national press coverage due to its effectiveness. It is suitable for babies, children and during pregnancy.
You can also read more about hay fever here on our A-Z of Health information pages.
Can you recommend a good remedy for relief of insect bites?
Can you recommend a good remedy for relief of insect bites? I don’t normally get bitten, but this year I have been eaten alive (probably down to the good weather). The bites seem to take 24-36 hours to come out but once the do, they are very itchy for about 10 days and my ankles/wrists are a mess, mainly from the scratching.
I’ve tried using both the Silver-MSM Skin Spray and also the Silver-MSM Cream. Both help a bit but don’t take it away for long periods. I’ve also tried anti-histamine cream & hydrocortisone cream both of which don’t help much. I don’t suppose there is a ‘magic cure’ and it may be that the Silver-MSM Cream is the best and I’ll just have to keep applying it more often, however, I thought it was worth asking just in case you had a “secret weapon”.
Also can you recommend a good sun protection and after-sun product. We’re heading to Cornwall for our holiday and if the lovely sunshine keeps up, we may be in need of both. I’ve always used Aloe Vera gel for after sun, which seems to work well.
Thanks again for any information you can provide. I’ve been so pleased with the elderberry and silver products that I get from you. I don’t go anywhere without them and swear by them. My daughter had a rash under her nose that 3 creams from the doctor didn’t help (in fact it was spreading). We bought the Silver-MSM Cream from you and it clears it up straight away. She’s got quite fair skin and we find these products are great for her.
Answer: To start with to try and prevent the bites we have an excellent product by Incognito in case you find this more effective than what you currently use Incognito Spray. It is really effective – I take it on every holiday now – and they also do an After Sun with the same repellent in, and a Hair & Bodywash. We have customers in tropical countries who use the entire range of Incognito products and get on very well with them.
Biting insects love me so I have tried many things over the years! I am allergic to mosquito bites and get huge pulsating blisters with the most dreadful itchiness! I don’t think it is possible to stop the itching completely but you can certainly reduce it. I am afraid though that you must not scratch – even if it drives you crazy trying not to – it makes them so much worse and itchier, and they can become infected!
This Z-Gel is supposed to be excellent although I haven’t tried it yet myself – I will do next time. I have also used Urtical Cream very successfully in the past – it is great to anything itchy – heat rash, nettle stings, insect stings and bites, hives. It is a great thing to have in your bag throughout summer, especially when you are with children. But at the moment when I go away I tend to find this the most effective – Argentum Plus Silver-MSM After Sun Lotion ! It wasn’t designed for insect bites but it definitely works and is so soothing when you apply it. Just re-apply as often as required. You do need to keep applying to keep the itching at bay.
Then in terms of a sun protection lotion as you get on so well with the silver products I would recommend the Silver-MSM Sun Spray and you get a free After Sun with it here so that takes care of after sun and itchiness in one. Natural sun creams can tend to be a little bit whiter than chemical ones, but this is still a nice light formula.
Here are our other natural sun care products if you need anything else.
www.100percentnature.co.uk
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