Infant Cold Medicine For Runny Nose

Is The Best Childrens Medicine For Runny Nose Right For Your Needs

The question that you have to ask yourself before buying any of the best childrens medicine for runny nose is whether or not they will suit your needs. Besides, you must clearly define what your needs and purposes are. From there, you can choose the best product and serve it according to your requirements.

Best Cold Medicines For A Runny Nose

People with a cold or flu may experience a runny nose, or rhinitis. OTC medicine is unlikely to help relieve a runny nose due to a cold.

Topical anticholinergics, such as ipratropium bromide nasal spray, may help reduce a runny nose. However, this medicine requires a prescription from a doctor.

• For a cold: People aged 5 years and over can use ipratropium 0.06% nasal spray three or four times per day for up to 4 days.
• For a seasonal allergy: People aged 5 years and over can use ipratropium 0.06% nasal spray four times per day for up to 3 weeks.
• For year-round allergies: People aged 6 years and over can use ipratropium 0.03% nasal spray two or three times daily.

However, anticholinergics may not be safe for everyone to use. This includes people with some other health conditions, such as glaucoma, and those using certain other medications. A doctor can advise on whether these medicines are suitable for an individual.

Sometimes, a runny nose is a symptom of an allergic reaction. If this symptom is due to an allergy and not a cold, antihistamines may help.

Pseudoephedrine, present in Sudafed, is an oral decongestant.

It is available without a prescription in many states, but there are restrictions on how much a person can buy because of the risk of dependency and adverse effects.

Phenylephrine, present in Sudafed PE, is effective for the short-term relief of nasal congestion and is available on the pharmacy shelf.

What Causes Runny Nose In A Child

It is quite usual for babies to have as many as 6 to 8 bouts of cold or flu in a year. As discussed above, this happens because of your babys weak immune system however, this will get stronger as your baby grows up and starts following a good diet. Here are some common causes of a runny nose in babies.

• If your baby is suffering from cold, your baby may have symptoms like chest congestion, fever, cough, sneezing and a runny nose.

• If your baby is suffering from the flu, he may have a poor appetite, cough, and severe cold symptoms such as a runny nose.

• If your baby suffers from some type of allergic reaction, he may develop itchy skin, rashes on the body, watery eyes, and runny nose.

These are some common reasons for a runny nose in babies however, if you think none of the reasons mentioned above apply to your baby, rush to your doctor for further assistance.

Also Check: Treatment Of Ear Mites In Cats

Top 16 Home Remedies For Baby Cough And Cold Fever Runny Nose At Night

I. Types Of Cough

Four types of cough often affecting babies include a dry cough, whooping cough, wet cough, and croup cough.

• A dry Cough: This type of cough results from infection due to influenza or cold in babies. It will affect the upper respiratory
• A whooping Cough : It is a bacterial infection, which inflames the airways and lungs.
• Wet Cough: This cough happens when fluid and phlegm secretions accumulate in the lower respiratory tract including the lungs and windpipe.

Croup Cough: Its a disease related to a dry, harsh and woofing cough. A baby suffers from a windpipe or swollen upper trachea.

II. Symptoms Or Signs Of Baby Cough

• A baby becomes less active & dull

III. Best Home Remedies For Baby Cough & Cold, Fever, Runny Nose At Night

The following home remedies are effective in treating baby cough and cold, fever, runny nose at night, and relieving its symptoms.

1. Home Remedies For Baby Cough Breast Milk

When babies are sick, breast milk is important for them because it provides many nutrients to assist their bodies in fighting infection and recovering from the condition faster. It additionally helps to improve the immune system of your baby to fight against germs, bacteria, and viruses. Baby younger than six months should be given breast milk to battle the virus contributing to a cough. For this purpose, you can put several drops of breast milk in each nostril of a baby.

How To Treat A Runny Nose

Camille Freking, MS Pharmacology – Genexa Partner on September 28, 2021

Medically reviewed byCamille Freking MS Pharmacology

Surprise, surprise: you have come down with a classic case of a runny nose again. Though a runny nose is a temporary problem, we know how uncomfortable it can be.

The most common culprit of a runny nose is cold weather, viral infection, or allergies, all of which are temporary but inconvenient regardless. When your runny nose happens as a result of being sick, the best methods of treatment may be resting up and making sure to drink plenty of fluids in order to support your body while you heal.

So, you know a runny nose can be caused by a variety of things, but why exactly does it happen? Understanding this part of the process may help you make a more informed decision regarding how you go about treating your symptoms.

Also Check: Blowing Nose Blood In Mucus

Natural Remedies For Runny Nose In Toddlers And Older Children

Here are some natural home remedies for running nose in toddlers and older children.

• Ginger and honey mix is excellent for dealing with running nose systems. Grate a piece of ginger root and squeeze its juice. Add honey to it and give this mixture to your kid two to three times a day.

• Mustard oil is great for battling a runny nose in kids. Warm-up mustard oil with some asafoetida, garlic cloves, and carom seeds. Massage your childs back and chest with this oil. You may see your childs symptoms improving after a couple of massages.
• One of the most effective Indian home remedies for a runny nose in infants is coconut oil and camphor. Mix some camphor in coconut oil and warm it up. Apply this only gently on your babys chest, back, and neck. This may not only help in clearing the congestion and runny nose but may also help him sleep peacefully.

• Jaiphal mixed with milk is a great home remedy for curing running nose. Take a few spoons milk and add a pinch of jaiphal to it. Give it a boil and bring it to room temperature before administering it your child. This is an excellent way of providing instant relief to your child.

Also Read:

Other Questions You Might Have

How can I help calm my child’s cough?

Cough medicines are not recommended for young children and can be harmful.

For children older than 12 months of age, a teaspoon or two of honey taken before bed can be useful in easing your childs cough.

Avoid exposing your child to cigarette smoke since this can make their cough worse.

Is it alright to send my child to school if they have a cough?

If your child is unwell, you should keep them at home to allow them to rest and recover, as well as to prevent them from spreading their illness. Some children continue to cough for many weeks after an illness this is known as a post-viral cough. If your child has a cough but is otherwise well, check with your doctor if they are able to attend school.

Learn more about school exclusion periods.

Read Also: Bubble Popping Noise In Ear Treatment

When To Call Your Doctor

Sometimes a cold leads to more serious conditions. Call your pediatrician if your baby is younger than 3 months and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or higher or is fussy and not drinking. If they are older, call a doctor if their ears hurt or if they have breathing trouble, a cough for longer than a week, or mucus thatâs still there after 10-14 days. Also reach out if their fever is above 100.4 F for more than 3 days or goes higher than 104.

Show Sources

Joy Weydert, M.D., professor, integrative medicine and pediatrics, University of Kansas vice chairwoman, American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Integrative Medicine.

Mayo Clinic: âCommon Cold in Babies,â âWhen Should I Use a Cool-Mist Humidifier Versus a Warm-Mist Humidifier For a Child With a Cold?â

FDA: âUse Caution When Giving Cough and Cold Medicine to Kids.â

American Academy of Pediatrics: âSimple Remedies Often Best for Common Colds in Young Children,â âHow to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained,â âAmerican Academy of Pediatrics Announces New Safe Sleep Recommendations to Protect Against SIDS, Sleep-Related Infant Deaths,â âTreating a Fever Without Medicine.â

Cleveland Clinic: âChildhood Respiratory Infections and Other Illnesses.â

University of California, Los Angeles: âAn Inside Scoop on the Science Behind Chicken Soup.â

Stanford Childrenâs Health: âUpper Respiratory Infection .â

Pflugers Archiv: âSleep and Immune Function.â

What Is Kids Cold Medicine

When it comes to the common cold, medication can alleviate the discomfort of certain symptoms, but it cannot cure a cold, says James Anderson, M.D., a pediatrician at Austin Regional Clinic in Austin, Texas. He notes over-the-counter medicinesthose you purchase without a prescriptioncan help ease the aches and pains associated with the common cold, like runny noses, coughs and fevers.

While they might provide a bit of relief, Dr. Anderson cautions parents against treating their childs cold with medicine.

There is not much evidence that cold medications work better than using at-home methods , says Dr. Anderson. In addition, your child may experience negative side effects from cold medications, he adds, noting the AAP advises against their use in children under 4 years old. Meanwhile, the organization advises that children between the ages of 4 and 6 should only be given over-the-counter cold or cough medicine at the discretion of their doctor.

Also Check: Allergies That Cause Sore Throat

Should I Use Otc Medications When My Child Has A Cold

When your child is sick, you want them to feel better. Many parents turn to over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for help. Except for pain and fever drugs, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, there is no proof that they work. In fact, some of the side effects can make your child feel worse.

There is also a risk of giving your child too much medicine, such as acetaminophen on top of a cough syrup that already contains acetaminophen. Never use more than one product at the same time unless advised by your health care provider.

When Can A Baby Have Cold Medicine

The FDA strongly advises against giving over-the-counter cold or cough medicine to children under the age of 2. And in most cases, its recommended to avoid using these medications until children turn 4! Current evidence even points out that cold and cough medicines do not help cold symptoms and may pose health risks for your infant.

Here are cold and cough medicines that you should never give your infant.

Recommended Reading: How To Clean New Ear Piercings

Is It Just A Cold Or Something More Serious

• Typical cold symptoms are a runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing and a mild sore throat.
• Some children may not want to eat, have a headache or be more tired than usual.
• Colds can sometimes cause fever, but the fever usually isnt very high.
• Colds usually last about a week but can last for as long as 2 weeks.
• Some respiratory viruses that cause colds in older children and adults may cause more serious illness when they infect infants and toddlers. These illnesses include croup , bronchiolitis , or sore eyes, sore throat and neck gland swelling.
• The influenza virus causes high fever, cough and body aches, strikes more quickly than a cold and causes infected persons to feel sicker. While children with colds usually have energy to play and keep up their daily routines, children with influenza are usually in bed.

Products You Should Be Cautious About

Vicks BabyRub: You may recall your mom rubbing Vicks VapoRub on your feet when you had a cold and be tempted to do the same with your baby, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the regular version of Vicks VapoRub contains camphor, which is extremely toxic if ingested. Keep this out of your little ones reach or consider getting it out of your house altogether. Vicks BabyRub, on the other hand, doesnt contain camphorbut it also doesnt contain any other medicinal ingredients that can relieve congestion and isnt marketed as a product for colds. However, there likely isnt harm in using this on your baby if you follow the manufacturers directions. Its not meant to be used on babies under three months.

Humidifier: Humidifiers add moisture to the air in your house, which can help keep snot and mucus from drying out and relieve congestion. However, the Canadian Paediatric Society doesnt recommend parents use humidifiersboth hot and cool mist humidifiers can breed mould and bacteria if they are not washed thoroughly every day, and hot mist humidifiers can be a burn hazard for small children.

You May Like: Back Pain And Sore Throat

What Complications Are Linked To Coughs And Colds

Most coughs and colds pass quickly with no medical treatment required and no complications.

In some cases, however, your child may develop a bacterial infection after being sick with a cold virus and the infection might then need medical treatment.

If your childs symptoms do not improve within a week, or they get worse, or your child has a cough that continues for more than a few weeks after their illness, they should see a GP. The doctor may recommend some tests or treatments to rule out complications or another cause of your childs symptoms.

When To Call A Doctor

Not every sniffle or cough merits a trip to the doctors office. When in doubt, call your health care provider.

Some symptoms can signal that your child may have something more serious than a cold. For all children, call a doctor if you see any of these symptoms:

• A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in an infant 2 months or younger.
• A fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in children at any age.
• Labored breathing, including nostrils widening with each breath wheezing fast breathing the ribs showing with each breath or shortness of breath.
• Severe headache.
• Not eating or drinking, with signs of dehydration .
• Excessive crankiness or sleepiness.
• If the child is getting worse.

Don’t Miss: Strep Throat Still Hurts After Antibiotics

Things You Should Think About Before Buying The For Runny Nose And Cough

Buying new products is an exciting experience, but it can also be risky. What are the things that I should think about before purchasing the for runny nose and cough?

This post will go over three key factors to consider when making your purchase decision:

• How much do you like or need this specific item?
• Does the price of this item compare favourably with similar products?
• What are other customers saying about it?

Baby Cold Medicine: Never Give Your Baby These Cold Medicines

‘Tis the season for the sniffles! And your little one will likely suffer from a cold sometime in her first winter. While it can be tempting to break out the big guns when your little one is suffering, its important to remember that babies cant handle the same cold remedies that work for us grown-ups. Many adults dont think twice about treating runny noses and hacking coughs with over-the-counter medicine, but we have to be much more careful with babies.

Don’t Miss: How To Unclog Ears From Congestion

Avoid Decongestants And Menthol Rubs

Before giving your baby any kind of medication, its best to speak to their pediatrician, but overall, medications such as decongestants and antihistamines are discouraged before age 2. According to the Food and Drug Administration , these medications can have serious side effects, such as convulsions, rapid heart rate and even death.

Additionally, avoid using any kind of menthol rub on baby.

I dont recommend mentholated rubs , Navsaria says. They dont actually reduce congestion and, if applied too heavily, can have systemic absorption and cause problems.

According to the American College of Chest Physicians , using Vicks VapoRub can cause the body to produce more mucus in order to protect the airway. Since childrens airways are significantly more narrow than adults, such an increase can have severe effects on their breathing.

Causes Of Colds In Newborns

Another name for a common cold is a viral, upper respiratory infection. They arent caused by bacterial infections and dont respond to antibiotics.

Your babys pediatrician may take a nasal swab to determine the cause of your babys symptoms. Blood tests may also be used to help rule out a bacterial infection.

Bacterial infections sometimes develop as complications from viral infections. They can also cause illnesses, such as pneumonia or ear infections.

Don’t Miss: Blood From Nose When Blowing

How Long Does Runny Nose Last In Babies

An infant runny nose caused by the common cold should last a little over a week.

Cold viruses tend to last about 10 days total, says Navsaria. Runny noses will often last less than that 10-day period, but probably by only a day or two.

If a cold lingers for two weeks or more, Navsaria recommends having baby evaluated by their pediatrician to rule out other, more serious viruses, such as RSV or sinusitis.

How Common Is A Babys Runny Nose

A baby with a runny nose isnt too uncommon. After a baby is born, the mother provides the child with a certain level of immunity. This happens when maternal immunoglobulins are given to the placenta in the late stages of pregnancy.

However, after six months the immunity begins to fade to allow for the babys immune system to combat illnesses by itself. Therefore, its no surprise that different problems around this time period can occur that will impact the babys health, such as their nose always running.

As mentioned before, when a babys runny nose wont stop running is quite common. However, it can still be uncomfortable for them and cause parents to worry. There is also the possibility that a more significant problem could be present. Thankfully, there are a variety of infant medicines for a runny nose.

Also Check: Ear Infection At Home Treatment