The common cold is one of the top reasons kids skip school and visit a pediatrician. It plagues children at least 8 times a year and more frequently if your child is under the age of 6 and has a weaker immune system.
As a parent, seeing your kid suffer from common cold symptoms like cough, congestion, and fever can be heartbreaking. While there is no way to cure a common cold, there are many ways to alleviate common cold symptoms and help your child feel better.
Let’s talk about everything you should know about common cold treatment for children and where you can find the best pediatric practice to get quality care for your child in Purchase, NY.
The Importance of Early Treatment of the Common Cold in Children
Early treatment of the common cold is crucial in managing this respiratory condition. Early treatment can not only help mitigate your child’s symptoms and prevent complications like difficulty in breathing, ear infections, and sinus infections but also reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others.
This is why, as soon as you notice symptoms of the common cold in your child, start treatment immediately.
Effective Common Cold Treatments for Your Kid
The following are some common cold treatments and home remedies that can help ease your child’s symptoms and provide them relief.
Plenty of Fluids
When struggling with common cold symptoms, your child may not feel as thirsty as they normally would – and they may be uncomfortable drinking fluid. However, as a parent, you should know that drinking plenty of fluids can ease your child’s symptoms and save them from dehydration.
So, encourage your older child to drink plenty of fluids. You can offer them sports drinks, juices, broth, and flat white soda. If your child is breastfed, try to feed them more frequently in several short sessions.
Humidifier
One good way to break up mucus and clear away a stuffy nose is using a cool-mist humidifier in your child’s room. A cool-mist humidifier will also keep the airways from drying out.
Nasal Saline Spray or Drops
Another good way to clear up the stuffy nose is to use nasal saline spray or drops. Saline solutions are considered safe for children of all ages.
Be sure to read the label and buy a saline solution, not a nasal decongestant, because nasal decongestants can make cold symptoms worse in young children.
Medicines
Indeed, antibiotics aren’t helpful for common colds in children, but fever and cold medicine can help ease your child’s symptoms.
If your child is older than 6 months, give them an over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer like ibuprofen. Acetaminophen can work in children of all ages. Ensure to talk to your child’s pediatrician about your medicine options and their dose.
Cough and cold medicine are also suitable for relieving common cold symptoms in older children. Ensure you follow the dosage guidelines based on your child’s weight and age.
When to See Pediatrician
Go to the nearest emergency room or call your pediatrician right away if your child with a common cold is having symptoms, like
- A fever above 100.4
- Vomiting
- Ear pain
- Stomach pain
- Wheezing
- Trouble breathing
Common Cold Treatment for Child in Purchase, NY
Prevention is truly the best medicine, particularly when it comes to viral infections like the common cold.
At Westchester Park Pediatrics in Purchase, New York, we have six board-certified pediatricians in our team who offer the best care to children, from newborn to age 15, for acute health problems like the common cold as well as chronic health problems.
At our facility, we also offer vaccines, physical examinations, and on-site testing services.
To know more or consult one of our pediatricians, call us at (914) 761-1717 or submit an appointment request now.
