unblock your nose and your child's too (Karvol Decongestant Capsules)

Member Name: jillycat

Product:	Karvol Decongestant Capsules
Date:	11/06/09 (138 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: nice smell helps unblock snuffles

Disadvantages: none

Why we tried these
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When my son had his first cold I turned to family and friends for advice as to how to help him breath better especially at night as he would often cough himself awake. One of the bits of advice was from my sister in law who said to try the Karvol capsules as she put these on my niece's gro bag and this seemed to help her so off I went to Boots to give these a go

What are they?
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"Karvol Decongestant Capsules have a vapour action and help relieve blocked noses due to colds in the head. They can be used for children from 3 months old."
Each capsule contains a measured dose of aromatic oils these are pine, cinnamon and menthol.

The active ingredients are: Levomenthol Ph. Eur.35.55mg, Thymol B.P.3.15mg, Chlorbutol Ph.Eur.2.25mg,

Directions for use
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The capsules come in strips in the same ways that say painkillers tablets do. They are oval in shape and have a small thin area at the end, designed for you to snip it open. The packet gives the following directions:
For babies over 3 months and young children - snip top off capsule, and dab the contents onto a handkerchief tied securely near to but out of reach of the child.
For older children and adults - At night dab the contents of one capsule on bedding, or a handkerchief

In the daytime, squeeze the contents onto a tissue or handkerchief, and inhale the vapour, or add the capsule contents to a bowl of hot water, and use as an inhalation.

The packaging has the following safety warning
"Never use this on an infant below the age of 3 months, it is not to be taken internally, only ever inhale the vapour and avoid direct contact with skin and eyes."

Our experience
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So filled with hope the first night I cut open the capsule and put a few drops onto my sons bedding. Unfortunately I think he found the smell too strong and actually was unable to get to sleep because of this as once we change the bedding he went to sleep. So after a bit of humming and ahhing about what to do I devised the following plan. I would soak a towel in water till it was damp and put this on his radiator so it would give some moisture to the air and onto this towel I put the contents of one capsule and hey presto a piney menthol smelling room that wasn't over powering. From this point on he did sleep better and I think the combination of the Karvol moist air and raising his cot with the bed blocks (see review for space babies bed blocks) helped him and made the cold and coughs last a shorter period of time.
I have used the capsules on my own pajamas when I have had a cold and have found that it has helped me in the night too. I have also put it onto tissues to carry with me during the day to sniff as I get bunged up and do find it helps.

Where from
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I have always bought ours from our local chemist. According to Mysupermarket.co.uk Tescos sells a 12 packet for £2.48

Overall I think this is a great value product that I would definitely recommend for both children and adults to use when they have a blocked nose

Summary: recommend for both children and adults to use when they have a blocked nose