How to Treat Cold Symptoms in Children

How to Treat Cold Symptoms in Children
With recent recommendations by the FDA to ban the use of cough and cold medications in children under the age of two, questions arise as to what remedies may be effective to treat these and other ailments in kids. Certainly, studies reveal a general lack of efficacy with most over-the-counter medicines and many may be more likely to result in adverse side effects than actual benefit. Here are some cheap alternatives to expensive scripts. Sore throat: Soothe soreness by using cold foods and drinks to ease irritated throats. Ice cream, Popsicles, slush drinks etc. are great and are rarely refused by children. My long-term favorite has been a mixture of 50% Benadryl liquid in combination with 50% Maalox liquid. Swish and spit this mix and expect immediate improvement. Colds: Homemade nose drops can be an effective option to assist with clearing up a stuffy nose. Mix ¼ teaspoon of salt with ½ ounce of water, and then use an eyedropper to insert two to three drops in each nostril. Or if you have access to ocean water, a quick dip may help more than any over-the-counter preparation or home concoction. Vomiting/Diarrhea: A general rule of thumb is not to suppress neither vomiting nor diarrhea. The most important factor is maintaining hydration. Small amounts of clear fluids are a good start and hydration status can be readily determined by urination patterns. Consistent urination or wet diapers are a positive indicator that the child is doing okay. Bland foods like toast, rice, bananas or applesauce can be given if tolerated. For diarrhea, sugary or starchy foods may be given as they are easily digested. Consider Jell-O, dry cereal, 7-Up and Sprite – basically those remedies that mom always suggested. Fever: Fever tends to be the determining force as to whether a child feels good or not. I have seen kids with a temperature of 104 who appeared nearly comatose – after Tylenol dosing they seemed to bounce right back to normal, acting as if nothing had ever happened. Both Tylenol and ibuprofen are acceptable alternatives for fever relief. A temperature of 100.5 or greater in a child less than four months of age deserves more immediate attention and warrants a doctor visit. For the most past, in older children, fevers do not send me into a panic mode, as most are secondary to viral illnesses. A playful, active child with a temperature of 103 is much less of a concern than a lethargic child with a temperature of 99. Do you have any medical questions or concerns that you would like addressed? You can contact Dr. Spence by email at panhandledailydose@hotmail.com or by mailing your question to Daily Dose, P.O. Box 6107, Marianna, FL 32446.