With drug-free remedies taking a hit thanks most recently to Zicam, parents should be aware that there are still a few medicine-free cold and allergy treatments out there. Little Allergies Allergen Block is a gel that helps prevent sneezing, runny noses, and nasal congestion by creating a positively charged barrier that stops negatively charged allergens (like ragweed and pollen) before they can cause irritation. Rub the gel around the nostrils and between the nose and upper lip; it’s scent-free and invisible, but provides hours of relief.

$14.99 for a 1-ounce tube (about 150 applications) at drug stores and Drugstore.com.