Natural Cold Remedies For Kid’s Cold Symptoms
Relieve Kids Cold Symptoms Naturally
Recently the Food and Drug Administration recommended that cough and cold medicines not be used in children under the age of 2 because of rare but serious and potentially life-threatening side effects, primarily caused by dosing problems. In response to the FDA’s recommendation, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the makers of cough and cold medicines, announced that these over-the-counter formulas would now have labels warning parents not to give the products to children under 4 years of age.
The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages physicians not to prescribe cold and cough medicine for children younger than 6. They base this advice on several studies that have shown that the medicines are not effective at treating cold symptoms in this age group. The FDA is continuing to look into the efficacy of medicines for children 2 to 11 years old.
So what’s a parent to do with flu and cold season already upon us. Here are some sugggestions from Dr. Richard Ball, a pediatrician with 27 years of experience, and many other pediatricians recommend:
Lots of fluids: The idea says Ball, is to think out the mucus that builds up during a cold-virus infections so that it is easier to clear out. Try chicken soup,tea (I like chamomille and thyme tea as they are both good for colds and coughs),broth or clear liquids. Stay away from dairy products as these tend to increase mucus.
A cool mist humidifier: It can help with the discomfort of a scratchy throat, but make sure to clean it frequently, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. I like to add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water. The oil given off by the eucalyptus leaf is called eucalyptol and has powerful healing, disinfectant and antiseptic properties. If you don’t want to add eucalyptus oil to the humidifier than sprinkle a bit on a hankerchief and tuck it in their pillow.
Steam: Turn on the hot water in the bathroom and let the child breathe the warm steam for 10 minutes help relieve congestion. You could also put a hankerchief with 6 to 12 drops of eucalyptus oil on it and place in the sink where the water is running. Just be careful not to let your child put hands or face near the hot running water.
Saline nasal wash: A salt-water wash to clean out the nose is very helpful to infants, who can’t blow their noses. You place drops in each nostril and use a suction bulb to pull mucus out of the nose. Be sure to sterilize between uses. Saline nasal spray may also relive stuffiness for older children. I know several adults who use the saline solution and say it works great.
Honey: Several studies have shown that buckwheat honey is as effective as over-the-counter cough supressants. Parents frequently report that it helps children sleep without coughing all night. But DO NOT GIVE HONEY TO CHOLDREN YOUNGER 1 YEAR OLD. There is rare but serious risk of infant botulism, which can be fatal. Pediatricians also remind parents that a cough serves an important purpose – to clear out the mucus and during the day, there’s no reason to suppress it.
Plain,old fashioned prevention: Though this one often seems like a losing battle try to get your kids wash their hands frequently. I know they make those cool foaming soaps and sometimes kids are more likely to use those since they are fun. Also, encourage them to cough into their sleeve or elbow, and make sure they get plenty of rest.
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