Cold Remedies

January 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Why did cold medicines get so scary? What can I do when my child gets a cold?

Dr. Natalie Geary

For most healthy children, a cold is caused by a virus, not bacteria, so the only “cure” for the common cold is watchful waiting, fluids and TLC. But kids feel terrible when they are sick with bad colds, and parents want to help- hence the development of a myriad of over-the-counter cold remedies- they don’t promise to cure, but they do offer some relief from the symptoms.

So why have they all been recalled and regulated? The real answer is that they were being misused, or abused dangerously, or by accident, and the unfortunate side effect is respiratory depression and occasionally a fatality. Have the medicines changed? No- but the abuse rates amd accidental overdose rates have.

Unfortunately, the medicines may have worked well for your child in the past- or so you thought- and for most families, they were used safely and correctly. But, with most viral infections, a child improves on their own after three days, and the credit should not go to any cough medicine- its your child’s own healthy immune system and your attentive parenting.

Cough and cold medicines are not a problem for teenagers, if used correctly, either. The problem here is that the chemical contained in many previously over-the-counter cold medicines is now being abused by certain teens and adults, who have been distilling it, “free-basing” it and injecting it as a subsitute for methylampehatimes, highly addictive and dangerous stimulants.

So what should you do when your child gets a cold?

Over the counter pain-relievers such as Tylenol or ibuprofen ( Motrin, Advil) will help reduce the accompanying symptoms such as sore throat, aches and malaise. However, be sure you are not masking more serious symptoms such as high fever, neck pain or back pain. And remember-never use Aspirin in anyone under age 18 because of the associated risk of Reye’s sydndrome, a rare but dangerous illness.

Old fashioned TLC tips:

  1. CLEAR FLUIDS: Avoid dairy products but offer lots of other liquids to keep the congestion loose and decrease the risk of ear and sinus infections.

  2. Humidifiers and Steam Showers: Help keep the air moist and makes it easier for your child to breathe. Be sure to keep the humidifier clean to avoid the overgrowth of mold and other organisms. Be sure to change the water daily and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Take your child in the shower with you, or steam up the bathroom.

  3. Try vedaPURE’s BREATHE, ( order at vedababy@gmail.com) www.vedapure.com- an all-natural vapor salve with Eucalyptus that soothes and comforts your child as she breathes.

  4. Use Saline Nose drops to make it easier for your child to breathe, and to eat. But avoid the use of a bulb-syringe: they can cause trauma and swelling to the inside of your child’s nose and make the situation that much worse. Just drop the saline in, and let your child sneeze.

  5. If your child is old enough to suck on a lozenge, buy ZINC lozenges which help restore the integrity of the membrane at the back of your child’s throat and promote healing.

Remember to call your doctor if:

  1. Your child is under three months of age

  2. there is any difficulty breathing or swallowing or has any change in color when he coughs

  3. Has a temperature higher than 102

  4. Has a persistent temperature for more than 3 days

  5. Is not urinating or seems lethargic

  6. Is not able to play, interact

  7. Is deteriorating instead of improving despite your care after two days

  8. Coughs up blood, green sputum or vomits from coughing too hard

Posted by Dr. Natalie Geary MD | Filed Under Dr Geary