Family Must Haves to Beat Cold, Flu and Allergy Season

Cold and Flu season has already made its way into my home. From runny noses to watery eyes and even the stomach bug, it's here and I'm doing everything I can to keep my kids healthy and sick free!

There are a lot of products on the market and I've tried many. Here is what I always have on hand during the cold and flu, and also the allergy, season.

Lip Balm such as Chapstick, CarMax or Blistex: 
My kids love Chapstick! I like CarMax or Blistex. I just feel like they work better. 

Aqua-fore:
I have several bottles of this and I always take this on vacation. It works great for chapped hands, diaper rashes, burns and more!

Honey for sore throats and coughs:
I purchase the bottle that looks like a Teddy Bear. It is so darn cute! And my kids love it. 

Recipe: I warm up a 1/2 cup of water. Then I put a spoon full of honey in it along with a little lemon. Stir it so everything has dissolved. Voila... it's ready to sip. I always tell my kids to sip it. I've found it works better in soothing their throat.

Throat Lozengers like Halls, Ricola, and Ludens:
Flavor and does it work are the most important features when I choose a throat lozenge. My favorite flavor is honey and lemon with Vitamin C added. There are lots of different brands like Halls, Chloraseptic, N'ice and Burts Bees. I'm a Halls and Ricola fan, but am open to trying other brands when I come across a coupon or sale. Make sure you read the labels to make sure it's suitable for kids.

Saline Nasal Spray:
I've been using this since my kids were born. It works amazing! It keeps their little noses moist and helps clean out all the guck out of it.

Salt for canker sores or feeling like strept is coming on:

Recipe: Warm up a 1/2 cup of water.  Put a spoonful of salt in it. Stir it until as much of the salt looks like it has dissolved. The water will become foggy looking. Have your child gargle it then spit it out. Do this two to three times.

Vicks VapoRub Cough Suppressent:

This is another product I absolutely love and always have on hand. It smells fantastic! I use it on their chest, neck, under nose, and back. It has a warming feel to it after you put it on. It helps my kids sleep better. 

Hydrating Liquids like Pedialyte, Gatorade and Canada Dry Gingerale:
I always have a bottle of Canada Dry Gingerale on hand during cold flu season. It has been a life savor with keeping our family hydrated when we have the stomach bug.

Crackers like Saltines:
Saltines are a great food when you have the stomach bug. It doesn't upset your stomach more than it already is. Start with saltines and then move on to other foods a couple hours later.

Thermometer such as ear thermometer or Fever Bugz Stick-on Indicators:

Every home with children should have a thermometer. We have an ear thermometer and also Physio Logic Fever-Bugz Stick-On Fever Indicator. I love them! Great for taking with you when you are traveling.

Humidifier:
We own four humidifiers all Vicks. Vicks Cool Mist has worked the best so far for us.

Heating pad:
Great for ear aches, stomach aches, sore backs and even to relieve sinus pressure.

Steam Inhaler: We don't own one because we own a Nebulizer. It provides vapor therapy for colds, flu, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments.

Cold Sore Medicine such as Orajel:  


Very rarely do I get cold sores, but when I do I always use Orajel! It just seems to work better and make my cold sore feel better. I recently just received a free sample of Orajel Instant Pain Relief for Cold Sores + Moisterizer from the brand thru Smiley360. I don't have a cold sore, but am very anxious to try it! I've never been disappointed with the Orajel brand name. 

Serious Relief for Serious Cold Sores! $1 off Orajel Single Dose Cold Sore Treatment! Free Sample





Antibacterial Wipes like Wet Ones:
For the past ten years I've used baby wipes to wipe dirt and germs off my kids hands and faces. Well...that has changed. I just received a free sample of Wet Ones from the brand thru Smiley360 and will be continuing using them ongoing. My daughter said they smell awesome! I have to agree. And they work great with removing dirt and whatever else you have on your hands. Funny thing is my mom has used these for years. She absolutely loves Wet Ones. I thought they were too expensive. Was I ever wrong! The brand has coupons and deals all the time. 


Receive a $1 off coupon! Wet Ones - delivering a fresh start anywhere! Wet Ones Anywhere Free Sample

Tissues such as Scotties Facial Tissues:

I'm so guilty! I buy tissues based on price and softness. I hate hate hate tissues that make my nose hurt more when I have a cold. I was just introduced to the Scotties Facial Tissue brand and received a free sample thru Smiley360 to try. One of the main reasons I wanted to try this product was because it was environmentally conscious. For every 1 tree Scotties uses, they plant 3 more. More companies need to give back to the environment! The packaging is very attractive. In fact, it caught the eye of my 3 year old who now has claimed the Scotties tissue free sample and has put it in her bedroom. I highly recommend trying this product. The tissues are soft. It's easy to open. And it's made by a company that is taking care of our trees!

Here is a video of my 3 year old trying out Scotties for the first time! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0cMpYH6mtY 

Love that Scotties Tissues plants 3 trees for every tree they use!  Scotties Tree Rock Free Sample

Other products I have which may need a doctors approval / prescription:
Nebulizer: We had to purchase this because one of my sons had bad croup and allergies. Really made a difference.

Other products that my friends highly recommend, but I haven't tried or purchased:

Neti Pot: My neighbors and friends can't say enough great things about the Netti Pot. I'm so nervous to try it. Someday!

Neti Pots for Sinus Problems: Do they work by WebMD