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Children Cold Nasal Drops and Vapor Patch

Colds are the most common illness among children of all ages. Although this respiratory virus lasts only for a week or so, colds can make most children feel miserable. A cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. More than 200 different viruses can cause a cold, but the rhinovirus is the most common culprit. Because colds are viral infections, antibiotics, which treat bacterial infections, are not useful for treatment. Sometimes fatigue, stress, or the type of cold virus may cause a bacterial infection somewhere in a child's body, such as the lungs, throat, ears, or sinuses. The bacterial infection weakens the body's immune system and may require treatment with an antibiotic.

Cold Symptoms
With children, most colds begin abruptly. Your child may wake up with these symptoms:
• Watery nasal mucus
• Sneezing
• Fatigue
• Fever (sometimes)
• Sore throat
• Cough

Because of the postnasal drip, your child may have a sore throat and cough, symptoms that are common in children's colds. The cold virus can affect your child's sinuses, throat, bronchial tubes, and ears. With a cold, children may also have diarrhea and vomiting.

During the early stages of a cold, your child may be very irritable and complain of a headache and congestion. As the cold progresses, the mucus secretions from the sinuses may turn darker and thicker. Your child may also develop a mild cough, which could last for several days.

Cold and Flu Remedies For Children
1. Lots of rest (all ages):
It takes energy to fight an infection, and that can wear a child (or an adult) out. When your child's resting, he's healing, which is exactly what he needs to do. Studies show that stress plays a role in illness, too. If your child is under pressure – because of school or friends, or something happening at home – giving him a break may be just what he needs to fight off his symptoms. What you need is a comfortable place for your child to rest and things to occupy him.

2. Steamy air (all ages): It helps Breathing moist air helps loosen the mucus in the nasal passages. A warm bath has the added benefit of relaxing your child. A humidifier, cool-mist vaporizer, or steamy bathroom. Be sure to clean humidifiers often and according to the manufacturer's directions. Humidifiers accumulate mold, which they then spray into the air if they're not kept scrupulously clean.

3. Saline drops and bulb syringes : Drops clear the nose when kids are too young to blow their nose. For babies, a bulb syringe really comes in handy if a stuffy nose interferes with breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. Try using it about 15 minutes beforehand. Clearing a stuffy nose with a bulb syringe works best for young babies, but if your older baby or child doesn't mind the procedure, there's no reason not to do it.

4. Vapor rubs: Vapor rubs may help kids sleep better at night. Many of us remember being rubbed with a potent eucalyptus, camphor, and menthol vapor rub when we were sick as children. Research suggests that these ingredients actually have no effect on nasal congestion, but they make the cold sufferer feel as though she's breathing better by producing a cooling sensation in the nose. atural vapor balms are available, too, if you'd prefer not to use products that contain petroleum or paraben. These are typically made with aloe, herbs, oils, beeswax, and essential oils. Massage the vapor rub into your child's chest, neck, and back.

5. Extra fluids: Drinking plenty of fluids helps prevent dehydration and flushes and thins your child's nasal secretions. Fluids that your child enjoys drinking. Plain water is great, but your child might not find it very appealing. Try fruit smoothies and other favorite healthful beverages and ice pops made from 100 percent juice.

6. Chicken soup and other warm liquids: Warm liquids can be very soothing and help relieve congestion. Studies have shown that chicken soup actually relieves cold symptoms like aches, fatigue, congestion, and fever. Soup, tea, apple juice, water, or other liquids that your child likes served warm.

7. Elevating the head: Elevating your child's head while she rests can help her breathe more comfortably. Towels or pillows to raise the head of the mattress, or pillows to raise your toddler or older child's head.

8. Honey: Honey coats and soothes the throat and helps tame a cough. Honey and cinnamon has been used to promote health for centuries. This mixture can be taken at the first sign of cold and has shown to boost the immune system both separately as well as together. Simply mix one teaspoon of honey with a teaspoon of cinnamon. Give a spoonful every couple of hours and it can knock out a cold in a couple of days.

9. Nose blowing: Your child breathe and sleep more easily and generally makes him feel more comfortable. And he'll be nicer to look at, too.

10. Neti pot: A neti pot flushes a mild saline solution through the nasal passages, moisturizing the area and thinning, loosening, and rinsing away mucus. Think of it as nasal irrigation. According researchers studied nearly 400 children ages 6 to 10 and found that a nasal spray made from seawater relieved cold symptoms faster than standard cold medications. It's not certain whether the salt water simply helps clear the mucus or if trace elements in the water are beneficial. But other scientists who studied the effectiveness of saline nasal wash solutions also found benefits.

Safety note: Do not use untreated tap water. It may contain organisms that are safe to drink because stomach acid kills them, but can live and cause serious infections in nasal passages.

Saline solution: To make your own, mix 1/2 teaspoon salt into 1 cup of lukewarm distilled, sterile, or treated tap water.

11. Gargling with salt water: Gargling with salt water is a time-honored way to soothe a sore throat. It also helps clear mucus from the throat. While scientists haven't determined exactly why it works, studies have shown that the remedy is effective. Simply combine 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and stir. If your child doesn't mind the taste, a squirt or two of fresh lemon juice can be a soothing addition.

Healing power of touch
This can be in the form of hugs, kisses, cuddles or even light placement of the hands on areas where there is pain and discomfort. Studies have shown healing touch to reduce pain, boost the immune system, lower stress levels and promote relaxation and healing.