Tips to help children overcome their colds

The Food and Drug Administration has recently reviewed the use of cough and cold medications for children and recommends these medications should not be given to children less than 2 years old. These medications have been shown not to help young children, and might have serious side effects.

Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines do not treat the cause of the symptoms or shorten the length of time your child is sick. They only relieve symptoms and make your child feel more comfortable.

To treat your young children with more natural remedies, here are some things you can do:

Blow their nose: Many children tend to sniffle mucus back into their head when they have a runny nose rather than blow it in a tissue. For infants, use saline nasal drops and a bulb syringe to help clear out the nose -- use especially before feedings and before bedtime.

Use a salve or spray: A small dab of mentholated salve under the nose or a saline nasal spray can help open breathing passages and restore the irritated skin.

Use a humidifier: The air can be very dry in the winter months. Cough and congestion are usually worse at night. Use a cool mist humidifier to help.

Serve warm liquids: Offer your child plenty of warm drinks or soup if they are able to drink them. Warm liquids can help relieve congestion and soothe a sore throat.

Keep kids hydrated: Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids in order to prevent dehydration.

Keep kids rested: Staying rested when a child comes down with a cold or the flu will help their body direct its energy toward the immune battle.

Serve infection-fighting foods: Some good foods to give kids when they are battling a cold or flu include bananas to help soothe an upset stomach, blueberries can help curb diarrhea and cranberries can help prevent bacteria from sticking to cells lining the bladder and urinary tract.

Remember that serious conditions can disguise themselves as a cold, including sinus infections, bronchitis, meningitis, strep throat and asthma. If your child has had severe symptoms, or feels progressively worse, or if you have any questions about using cough or cold medicines in children 2 years of age and younger, contact a physician.

Jennifer Kurka, D.O., is a board-certified family medicine physician with Rush-Copley Pediatrics and Family Medicine in Oswego.