Can Local Honey Help Kids' Allergies?

Some say giving kids honey from local bees can lessen their allergic reaction to pollen. But does it really work?

More than one in three kids suffer from seasonal allergies, making the warmer months a tough time for little eyes and noses.

In the midst of all the sniffles and sneezes, you’ve likely heard the buzz about local honey as a remedy. Some say giving your child a dose of honey from local bees can lessen their allergic reaction to pollen. But does it really work?

Ekta Shah, a pediatric allergist with Carolinas HealthCare System, says the benefits are a myth – and there’s a simple reason why.

“The pollen that bees collect and use to make honey comes from flowers – not from grasses and trees,” she says. “So eating local honey doesn’t help us fight the pollen we’re actually allergic to.”

A better bet? Tried-and-true allergy medicines like antihistamines, nasal sprays and eye drops.

“It often takes a combination of medicines to get the effect you’re looking for,” Shah says.