With our children constantly exposed to thousands of viruses and germs each day, it’s no wonder that the cold is so common. However, even though the cold is so easily caught, there is still no cure. A cold can last anywhere from four to ten days. Although there is no cure, there are ways to make a cold infected child more comfortable. With these five natural remedies, you can help soothe symptoms and make recovering from the cold a less bothersome experience.
If your symptoms do not improve within ten days, please consult your Pediatric Care Group pediatrician.
Rest
The most important medicine for any illness is rest and sleep. During sleep the body is given the chance to rebuild and boost the immune system, giving our little ones a better chance of fighting off viruses.
A Humidifier
At the first sign of a dry and stuffy nose or throat, a humidifier works wonders to add moisture back into the air to the reduce dryness often associated with a cold. But, it’s vital to remember to properly clean your humidifiers, not doing so can breed mold and bacteria; which can be released into the air.
Hydration
Water, tea, broth, or any sort of fluid are essential to keeping your children hydrated while they fight off the cold virus. Essentially, the more fluids your child is drinking the more germs they are flushing out of their systems.
Honey
Recent studies have shown that honey is a better remedy for sore throats and coughing that actual cough medicine. Honey can also help sick kids fall asleep faster (leading to a speedier recovery). For children over the age of 1, honey is a great alternative to over the counter cough medicines. Choose a darker honey, such as buckwheat, which is known to contain a higher number of antioxidants. Be sure to only give honey as a natural remedy to children who are over the age of 1. Children younger than 1 can be exposed to botulism from the bacteria in honey.
Elevation
For children over the age of 1, prop up mattress or pillows, or even build your stuffy children a fort. Inclination helps drain mucus, which speeds up recovery time. Children under the age of 1 should not sleep with pillows.
The common cold is just that: common. It is important to understand and recognize the symptoms of the common cold in your children. If you are worried that it’s something more serious, or if symptoms have lasted longer than ten days, please consult your Pediatric Care Group pediatrician.
