The crisis begins with a tingling nose and eyes, followed by éternuements, discharge from the nostrils and nasal obstruction. It is accompanied by headaches andeye irritation, but rarely fever, and can sometimes be complicated by nocturnal attacks of asthma or cough.

Prevent

• Keep the doors and windows of the house and the car closed.
• Avoid freshly mowed lawns.
• Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) in the nostrils to block pollen.
• Wash clothes after hiking to get rid of pollen.
• Avoid outdoor activities early in the evening, as pollen density is usually high at this time.

treat

• Antihistamines.
• Over-the-counter complex (eg “Pollinil” by Dolisos, “Pollenox” by FL Marc, etc.).
• Nettle*.
• Pollen 30CH, once a week.
• Gelsemium sempervirens 7CH, 3 granules, 3 times a day.

Click on the link for the dosage

For example: bruises, cuts, scrapes.

Prevent

• Take the necessary safety measures (appropriate clothing during hikes, supervision of children, etc.)

treat

• Ice, pain reliever.
• Gel or ointment based on comfrey *, St. John’s wort * or arnica * essential oil.
• Concern *: clean the wound with a mother tincture diluted at the rate of 1 part to 2 parts of pure water.
• Lavender essential oil * (against burns).
• Helichrysum italicum essential oil.
• Arnica 30K (3 granules, once to 3 times, every hour) or 200K (once) to “relax the muscles”.
• Grav route. 9CH.
• Staphysagria 7CH, 3 granules, 3 times a day.
• St. John’s Wort 30K (3 granules, 1 to 3 times, every hour) or 200K (1 time).

* Click on the link for the dosage.

L’heat exhaustion, if left untreated, can develop into heat stroke, a potentially fatal problem. Exhaustion is characterized by a sweating profuse, muscle cramps, fatigue, dizziness, headaches and even nausea and vomiting. The skin may be cold and clammy, while the respiratory and heart rhythms speed up.

Le heatstroke is extremely dangerous. In less than 15 minutes, your body temperature can rise above 40 degrees Celsius (normal is 37,5). Other symptoms: no sweating, red and hot skin, strong and rapid pulse, severe headache, dizziness, confusion, fainting.

Prevent

• Avoid being exposed to the sun or heat for too long.
• Drink abundantly.

treat

• The victim should be hydrated and placed in a cool place, such as an air-conditioned room or even in a lukewarm bath.
• In the event of heat stroke, it is important to immediately contact emergency services and cool the victim at all costs.
• You can take a 7CH dilution of Glonoïum, 3 granules, 3 times a day.

Irritation of the skin from exposure to sunlight, marked by redness and burning.

Prevent

• Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. People with skin sensitive to the sun should use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply as needed, more frequently in children.
• Wear a hat, sunglasses that block at least 99% of UV rays, and loose, light-colored clothing. Some specialty fabrics now offer very effective protection against the sun.
• Experts recommend using a sunscreen at all times, even when the weather is cloudy.
• Celery, carrots, parsley, artichokes, parsnips, limes, figs, citrus peel and angelica essential oils, as well as St. John’s Wort, can increase skin photosensitivity. Consume in moderation if exposure is planned.
• Copper contributes to the production of melanin, a trace element that helps the skin protect itself against ultraviolet rays. Copper is found in seeds, nuts, amaranth, quinoa, brown rice, seaweed and legumes.
• See also our Sun Strategies file: with and without cream.

treat

• Aloe gel.
• Refreshing lotion based on menthol.
• Belladonna 7CH (for ordinary sunburns), 3 granules 3 times a day.
• Cantharis 7CH (for more severe cases), 3 granules 3 times a day.

Dehydration occurs when a profuse sweating is paired with a insufficient fluid intake. Moderate dehydration will be manifested by dizziness, dry mouth and nose, and reduced urination. Dehydrated, the skin loses its natural elasticity: pinched between the index finger and the thumb, it will remain wrinkled rather than returning to its initial shape.

Prevent

• Drink plenty of water (carbonated drinks, tea, coffee and alcohol should be avoided), without waiting to be thirsty. From 3 to 4 liters per day per adult, in hot and humid weather.
• Drink small amounts frequently, which makes it easier to absorb fluids.
• If you leave a pitcher of water on the counter or take it on an excursion, add a few drops of citrus seed extract to it to prevent bacterial growth. You can also add lemon and a little sea salt, if you plan to sweat profusely.
• The foods that contain the most water are apples, oranges, bananas, tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, watermelon, and broccoli.

treat

• First aid: if necessary, the victim can be given a solution of 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. of baking soda in 1 liter of water.
• The most severe cases require amedical attention immediate.

Volatile oils (especially “urushiol”) can cause severe skin reactions, especially in spring and summer, when the plant is actively growing. The degree of sensitivity to this toxin varies among people. The children and usually develop allergic reactions after multiple exposures, but these allergies may go away with age. The severity of symptoms is also larger when it is cool and dry. Heat and humidity render the toxin inert. All parts of poison ivy, including the pollen, can cause irritation.

Prevent

• Familiarize yourself with the appearance of the plant (see our picture).
• Wear appropriate clothing (long sleeves, long pants, closed shoes, socks). Wash clothing that may have been in contact with the plant separately in hot water and soap, before air drying for several days. Remember to wear gloves when handling them. They may need to be rewashed several times.

treat

• Wash the exposed area with soap and cold water (lukewarm or hot water dilates the pores of the skin).
• You can replace the soap with vinegar (2 tbsp in 1 cup of water) or alcohol (1/2 cup in 1/2 cup of water).
• It is also recommended to wash the affected area with very hot water, in the shower, for 5 to 10 minutes, and to repeat each time the itch occurs.
• Use calamine lotion.
• Take Rhus Toxicocendron 5CH, 3 granules 4 times a day until healing.

Symptoms appear 24 to 48 hours after contact and usually resolve within 7 to 10 days.

With heat and humidity, bacteria that cause food poisoning, such as E. coli bacteria, multiply rapidly. Symptoms of food poisoning include diarrhea nausea and stomach ache.

Prevent

• Wash hands thoroughly before handling food.
• When camping, bring water and use this water to prepare food.
• If you must transport raw meat, wrap it properly and place it on the bottom of the cooler to prevent it from contaminating other foods.
• Wash dishes, utensils and cutting boards that were used to prepare the meat before using them again.
• Take a thermometer and make sure the ground beef is cooked to 71 ° C and the poultry to 85 ° C.

treat

• To drink a lot of water. Preferably in small amounts, but frequently. Hot drinks can provide relief.
• If you have gastroenteritis:
  • Linseed*.
  • Pepper mint*.
  • Avoid dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and fatty foods.
• Take Arsenicum album 7CH when there is fetid diarrhea or vomiting during food poisoning from spoiled food, or at the slightest signs of disturbance if you fear that you have actually been poisoned by the food you just ingested. Take 3 granules every hour until symptoms disappear; however, stop after 3 doses if there is no improvement.

  Notes : this remedy is also a first-rate preventive for the turista: to be taken once a day in 1 or 6 CH, start 7 days before departure and continue like this until 3 or 4 days after return (suitable only for stays of a few weeks).

* Click on the link for the dosage.

Vomiting, nausea, or discomfort caused by real or perceived movement of the body or its surroundings.

Prevent

• Depending on the means of transport, choose an appropriate place: in boat, cabin in the middle, near the waterline; in plane, sits above a wing, forward; in train, sits next to a window, facing forward; in car, drive or take the front passenger seat.
• Focus on the horizon or a fixed point in the distance.
• Avoid reading while traveling.
• Avoid smoking or sitting near smokers.
• Keep your head still, supported.
• Avoid spicy foods and alcohol.

treat

• Gravol.
• Ginger extract *, powdered or fresh.
• Eat crackers or drink a soft drink to calm the stomach.
• Cocculus indicus (contains a compound which acts on part of the inner ear, responsible for balance) 7CH, 3 granules approximately 3 times a day.
• Tabacum (treats nausea) 7CH, 3 granules about 3 times a day.
• Petroleum 7CH, 3 granules about 3 times a day.

* Click on the link for the dosage.

Otitis externa or “swimmer’s ear” is caused by bacteria that infect the external ear canal. It is common in children and who bathe a lot. The pain is accompanied by a ear redness, foul-smelling discharge and itching.

Prevent

• Dry the ears well after swimming.
• Pay attention to the quality of bathing water. The risk of infection is higher in polluted water. Swimming pool water is also conducive to infections.
• To prevent ear infections, it is best not to use swabs (cotton swabs) to clean the ears. The swabs damage the vibratile cilia which are in the external auditory canal and which are responsible for removing foreign bodies. Instead, use a washcloth or a piece of a towel.

treat

• Gargle (lukewarm saline solution) as soon as the first symptoms appear.
• Apply garlic, garlic oil or mullein oil into the ear canal. Warm the oil slightly and put it in the ear with a dropper.
• Antibiotics as needed.
• Pulsatilla 7 CH, 3 granules 3 or 4 times a day, depending on the intensity of the symptoms. Reduce frequency when there is improvement.
• For severe pain, use Belladonna 7CH, 3 granules 3 or 4 times a day, depending on the intensity of the symptoms. Reduce frequency when there is improvement.

A small blister will appear frequently at the site of the bite. The skin will be reddish. In some cases, the insect stinger may still be present. The bites of some insects can cause anaphylactic shock, a potentially fatal allergic reaction. This is characterized by difficulty in breathing, nausea and vomiting and a rash, and requires immediate medical attention.

Prevent

• Wear loose clothing with long sleeves. Pull up the socks over the pants.
• Wear light-colored clothing.
• Avoid being outdoors at the end of the day, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Avoid wearing perfume (the perfume attracts mosquitoes).
• Avoid accumulations of standing water near the house (buckets, tires, garbage cans, etc.)
• Limit sugar intake and take a B complex vitamin supplement each morning.
• Look for repellents that contain essential oils of pennyroyal and eucalyptus, lemongrass, geraniol, neem oil, and DEET.
• House repellent based on essential oils: 0,3 ml of aniba rosacea, 0,5 ml of pelargonium, 0,5 ml of Eucalyptus citriodora, 0,2 ml of eugenia caryophyllus, 0,5 ml of rosmarinus and 5 ml of hazelnuts.
• Repeat application according to manufacturer’s directions, after swimming or after heavy sweating. Some so-called “natural” repellents only take effect for about thirty minutes.
• Apply where the capillaries are on the surface of the skin, such as the wrists or the back of the ears, since mosquitoes prefer these places.
• Homeopathy: Ledum palustre 5CH, 3 granules as needed, up to 3 times a day.

treat

• Apply cold for a few minutes.
• Apply a paste of baking soda and water for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Wash the affected area with soap and water.
• In the case of a Bee sting, do not attempt to remove the stinger. Rather, attempt to remove it by scraping it with a butter knife or a credit card.
• Aloe*.
• Consoude*.
• Antihistaminique (Benadryl, Reactine).
• Lavender essential oil *.
• Apis mellifica 7CH, 3 granules 3 times a day.
• Apis mellifica 15CH (5 granules if there is swelling).
• Ledum palustre 7CH, 3 granules 3 times a day.

* Click on the link for the dosage.

Click here for a printable document that you can take with you wherever you go this summer!

Homeopathic recommendations: Christian Calvé

Review: Jean-Yves Dionne, pharmacist

Research and writing: PasseportSanté.net

Document updated: July 2010

Bibliography

Agriculture Canada : http://www.agr.gc.ca

BBCi Health : http://www.bbc.co.uk/health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention : http://www.cdc.gov

Consumer Reports on Health : http://www.consumerreports.org

Dr Koop.com : http://www.drkoop.com

Dr Weil.com : http://www.drweil.com

Kids Health : http://www.kidshealth.org

Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com

National Center for Farmworker Health : http://www.ncfh.org

Health Canada: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Skin Cancer Foundation : http://www.skincancer.org