Cold, Runny Nose Advice

My little guy (he's 4.5) has had a terrible cough for weeks. He has gotten this the last 2 years around the same time. Many medicines haven't worked to help break up the congestion or help with the cough. We user a humidifier faithfully, and he has had to resort to breathing treaments even in the middle of the night. However, we just discovered the most bizarre thing, and it has worked better than anything the past 2 nights. Slather vapor rub on the bottom of her feet and cover with socks before bed. I know it sounds weird, but my son has slept through the night 2 nights in a row and no coughing spells!!

Vapor rub, humidifier and I like the sudifed gentle vapors plug ins. those things work great for a cold. plus try vicks rub on the bottom of the feet then put socks over them... heard that works too. Good luck, A. J

You SHOULD NOT USED any cold medicines. The FDA has warned against their usage in anyone younger than 6 years old. It has also been proven that they do not work in children younger than 6 yrs old. So throw away all those cold medicines.

L.,

Don't give her anything. Medicine does not do anything for a cold. It just has to run it's course, which takes about 10-12 days. If there is fever, then give Tylenol or something like that. If it's an infection, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. You can tell if it's an infection by the color of the mucus. If brown stuff is coming out of her nose, it's more than likely an infection. If it's clear, it's allergies, white - cold.
In order to avoid the ear infection, make sure you suction the nose as much as possible and while she is really congested, make sure when she is lying down, it's at an angle. Lying flat allows the drainage to build up which can lead to an ear infection.

Build up her immune system with Probiotics (at the health food store) - there are some you can sprinkle on to food. The cold meds are just slowing the symptoms, not helping get rid of the problem. Make sure she is eating the right nutrients - or taking them. Enzymes for kids, Essential fatty acids, probiotics, fiber - keep her intestines healthy - stay away from sugar and artificial sweeteners and white flour products. This will help her body be healthy enough to fight off the germs.

The saline sprays or Clerz can help with the breathing - Vicks is good - just don't let her swallow it - and rub it on her feet and massage the bottoms of her toes with it too (relfexology sinus pressure points). Stuff with xylitol in it helps with bacteria and the collodial silver drops for infection too. But read the labels carefully for someone her age - not sure of the dosage.

The mucus and gagging and sinus problems can be "cured" with a tablespoon or two of organic Apple cider vinegar in a little water (usually have to mix organic honey in with it to get it down em) I use this for me at the first sign of a sinus headache - three times a day. Also good for singers and speakers with laryngitis.

Research on-line with natural health products instead of OTC things that just stop the symptoms.

Hello,
For my 20 month old I use a humidifer and Musinex and Benadryl. That has worked great for us. There are natural remedies to use but I don't know all for a cold, so you may want to ask Mr. Mike or Mrs. Deb at Mikes Health Collection in McKinney...they are great. My 20 month old that is about 24 lbs takes:
Musinex: 1/4 t
Benadryl: 1/4 t

Both are childrens.

Also, someone said the child would pull their ears if infected....neither of mine have pulled their ears on the one ear infection they each have had...just fYi.

This is what I do in these cases with my two kids. First, If they are running a high fever 100 or more then I will give them a cold medication. Otherwise, I suction their nose twice a day and put Little Noses to help clear the nasal congestion. Again I don't like to over medicate so only if they are above 100 in temp. So far, They've done pretty well. No ear infections as of yet and my son got strep once but that was a virus and you can't do much with that.
You should also be able to call your doctor and let them know symptoms and they can suggest a few things without having to go into their office. IF they don't you need to change doctors.

First... You are SOOOO lucky. I can't count how many colds my son has come down with in his 18 months of life. He has really bad allergies like me and has had about 4 or 5 sinus infections. Whats bad is that him and I get them at the same time. Curse genetics!
To answer your question, we went out and got the COLD Vics vaporizer. The cool air is best! Above all, ELEVATE HER MATTRESS ON ONE SIDE! On the side that her head sits at lift it by putting small rolled blankets or towels under the mattress. This helps any drainage run down instead of sitting up in her nasal and sinus cavities and prevents ear infections.
I also use Children's Motrin cold and sinus and Children's dimetapp.
Hope this helps!

Avoid using Tylenol cold infant drops! They've recently been taken off the shelves.

Hello L.,
Very sorry your baby is feeling sick. Just want to let you know to be careful what medicines you get for her. Here I am going to paste you an email I got yesterday.

All drugs containing PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE are being recalled.
STOP TAKING anything containing this ingredient. It has been
linked to increased hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in brain)
among women ages 18-49 in the three days after starting use
of medication. Problems were not found in men, but the FDA
recommended that everyone (even children) seek alternative
medicine.

The following medications contain Phenylpropanolamine :

Acutrim Diet Gum Appetite Suppressant
Acutrim Plus Dietary Supplements
Acutrim Maximum Strength Appetite Control
Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine (Cherry or Orange )
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Flu Medicine
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Sinus Effervescent
Alka Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine
BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder
BC Sinus Cold Powder
Comtrex Flu Therapy & Fever Relief
Day & Night Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules
Contac 12 Hour Caplets
Coricidin D Cold, Flu & Sinus
Dexatrim Caffeine Free
Dexatrim Extended Duration
Dexatrim Gelcaps
Dexatrim Vitamin C - Caffeine Free
Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewable Tablets
Dimetapp Cold & Cough Liqui-Gels
Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough Elixir
Dimetapp Elixir
Dimetapp 4 Hour Liquid Gels
Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets
Dimetapp 12 Hour Extentabs Tablets
Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops
Permathene Mega-16
Robitussin CF
Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus & Nasal Congestion
Triaminic DM Cough Relief
Triaminic Expectorant Chest & Head
Triaminic Syrup Cold & amp; Allergy
Triaminic Triaminicol Cold & Cough

I just found out and called the 800 # on the container for Triaminic and they informed me that they are voluntarily recalling the following medicines because

of a certain ingredient that is causing strokes and seizures in children:

Orange 3D Cold & Allergy Cherry (Pink)
3D Cold & Cough Berry
3D Cough Relief Yellow 3D Expectorant

They are asking you to call them at 800-548-3708 with the lot number on the box

so they can send you postage for you to send it back to them, and they will also issue you a refund. If you know of anyone else with small children,
PLEASE PASS THIS ON. THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF!

DO PASS ALONG TO ALL ON YOUR MAILING LIST so people are informed.

They can then pass it along to their families.

To confirm these findings please take time to check the following:
http://www.. fda.gov/cder/ drug/infopage/ ppa/

God Bless and I hope your baby gets well soon,
L. M

L.,
I think a humidifier that blows cold air is an excellent idea. We use it in my son's room everytime he gets a cold or runny nose. Being in daycare, he seems to get a lot of those. One other thing we do is use saline drops whenever he gets stuffed up. We make them at home (1/8 tsp salt mixed with 1 cup warm water) and use a dropper to shoot them up his nose (half a dropper in each nostril). It isn't as bad as it sounds.
After doing this, it helps break up the mucus so he either sneezes a huge amount out or swallows it, allowing him to breathe easier for a moment. I ran this by his doctor and she said it was great and that it was a better option to using the nose bulb syringe. Those can be too harsh on their noses and with too much use can cause nosebleeds.
The saline water does not go bad and we always keep a small amount ready to use.

We only use Tylenol if he has a fever and try to avoid the medications. His nurse did say that if he has a hard time sleeping, it is okay to give him some to help ease the symptoms at night. We have done that in the past but are very careful about it since any medications do not help them get over a cold any faster, they can only help relieve some symptoms.

You will know when your daughter is getting an ear infection when she starts pulling on her ears. Usually the ear pulling is a sure sign. It's not always accurate but usually does signal an ear infection. Try elevating her head a little when you put her to sleep so the drainage is not going into her ears. We put a pillow underneath the mattress so it titled a little.

Oh make sure she gets a lot of fluids. Keep water handy for her to take sips throughout the day.

Good luck!

-M.

If the cough persists to a hacking, I would take her just to make sure it didn't get into her ears; and especially if she spikes a fever. We just took our twin sons (7 mos) to the ped for similar reasons and she also told me to do saline nasal drops...10 to 15 per nostrel every diaper change!!! I was shocked, because I had done them before but never in that quantity. Of course they hate it, but she says it's the only way to really clean out the nasal passages. And, we slept with the humidifier on last night and vicks baby rub on their chests as well...can't hurt to try it all I guess. Good luck and don't wait too late because you think it's a silly cold...that's how the big ones are often disguised :)

I agree with many posts about trying something natural rather than over the counter cold meds. They are awful. I have one magical wonderful remedy for colds: Sambucol. Look for it at your health foods stores and sometimes at GNC and/or the Vitamin Shoppe. Perfectly natural and perfectly wonderful!

Humidifiers are great in the drier air because dry membranes will hold on to germs and moist membranes don't! Great for immunity.

Definitely use saline and suction in the nose as well. Great suggestions.

Always call your doctor if you are unsure. I know sometimes it seems like you are being an over-protective mom. But if you have a good doctor, he/she won't mind. They usually say to use saline drops and a humidifier at night. Elevate their matress.

One of the things that I've discovered that works really well is the vapor plug-ins. I believe mine is sudafed brand, but there are probably others. It seems like I recently saw a battery powered one as well that lets out a mist or something. Mine just plugs into the wall and there is a little hard piece that slides inside and it will release the smell of vapor rub all night long. If you keep the door shut it works really well and seems to give a lot of relief to little kids and big ones too! Hang in there. My 19 month old just got over a cold that lasted the full 2 weeks...started with a clear runny nose, turned cloudy and questionable, then gradually cleared up some and just went away. He had a little cough too, but not too bad. You'll know when you need to go to the doctor. I've learned to wait it out a while, but when in doubt just go with your gut for your own piece of mind. Hang in there!

Hi L.!! I am so sorry that she is not feeling well...that's the hardest thing for us moms is to see them sick! :o( There isn't much you can do for a cold, except make them comfortable. One thing you can do is keep good products in your home and do your best to keep the germs out. I use all natural products that are not only safe and healthy for my family, but work great to keep the germs to a minimum. They don't have any fumes, chemicals or toxins in them. We've never been healthier and I don't worry about my little one or our new puppy being around the products. I'd love to talk to you about it...you can contact me by email or give me a call.

Good luck!

T.
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I am a firm believer in letting things run their course as much as possible. I agree with the other lady who talked about Sambucol - Gret stuff. Vicks is wonderfule. Out children's bodies need to build up their immune system. Unless my daughter was running 102 or higher, I always let her "fight it out". 102 is not high in a child. 104 is. She very rarely took antibiotics and has had only one ear infection. Don't overuse the antibacterial scrubs either. Let them be exposed to germs. They will be healthier in the long run for it. You can go to the health food store in Brenham (the log cabin one) and they are very helpful with suggesting natural healings.

I would just use a cool mist vaporizer or sit in the bathroom with the shower on hot to loosen up her drainage.

There was a recall/warning recently about the infant cold medecines, so I would check with your doctor.

L.

I have found that if you give your child how had alot a drainage make sure the medicain has a anthistamine in the ingredients. That is what mt ped. told me. If you dry up the drainage that usual takes care of most cough and ear infections from starting. Also try to use vapor wall plugs. Their are alot out their. If you live in a really dry area in the winter you might try a vaporizer that holds water. But where I live It just makes everything really damp and sticky. I find that the one that plugs in the wall like an glade plug in works the best for us. It just lets out the vapors and not anything else. If you keep the door shut you might wat to have a fan on low to help circulate the air because it does get alittle strong. You can also call your ped. and ask his advice on what med's. without having to take her in. My oldest son gets asthma if I don't keep the drainage down I that's how I keep everything in control. Or try to.
Good luck L.

A good decongestant--like benadryl will dry her up but will also make her a little sleepy. We used rynatan when we needed it and it was wonderful- did not make him so sleepy. I know all about upchucking toddlers with congestion. ick

ummm dairy and orange juice can make the congestion worse, so limit those for a little while.

humidifiers help, but make sure it is a cool mist and up high with no cords hanging for baby to pull it down.

A basic cough med helps.

With the basic meds just read labels so you are doubling on anything. Some of them do double duty. The best cough med I found was Cremulsion. I can only find it in Brookshires. But ask ped about meds because many do not have instructions for under 2. It goes by age and weight, so your doctor would be the best to ask. You have to know how much your child weighs. ;-)

And....only do one new med at a time. Some are allergic to them. For instance my dd would act like Stevie Wonder when I gave her children's dimatap, so we stayed away from that one.

this is from a friend who is writing a book on nutrition.. these are her remedies to get rid of a cold in 72 hours.. good luck!
Also, to build up her immune system buy a juicer and juice carrots, apples, ginger.. etc.

First lots of water.
Cook with tons of garlic, ginger, onions and hot spices.
Liquid Echinashia with Elderberry can be bought at GNC, take half the bottle one day and the other half the next day (half dose for children, less of course for younger kids)
Echinashia tea, 4 cups a day
EmergenC, 2 doses a day (1 a day for kids)
Lots of rest!
And my magic soup, two cups a day.

Soup:
1 chopped onion
6 to 10 cloves garlic, chopped
1 to 2 inches fresh ginger, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
3 to 4 cups free range organic chicken broth
sea salt to taste
black pepper to taste
Cumin, 2 to 3 tsp.
Red hot curry paste (Thia Kitchen makes a great one) as hot as you can take it! Or cayenne pepper.
Cook until carrots are tender. eat

My friend is our pediatrician and she said Musinex and Triaminic are good for them. Try that as well as running Vaporzer and Humidifer at same time. It will help dry out the snot and still keep some moisture in the air. It will take a good week for it to run its course. Unless she is running a fever I wouldnt take her in.

Make sure she is getting plenty of WATER. This will reduce the chance of infection. Usually our bodies will heal itself without antibiotics unless it's too far infected. Once,my three year old son was congested and had a runny nose. The doc said he did not have an ear infection, but gave him antibiotics anyway. I said to the doc....if he doesn't have an infection, then why the antibiotics? His answer was...So that he doesn't get one. Well, I never got the prescription filled and my son came out of it on his own just fine. Antibiotics are passed out like candy by the doctors and people take them when they really don't need to.

Keep it clean and drink water water water. Hope this helps.

Hi L.,
We had that same problem with our daughter for 3 weeks straight. Every night the drainage would either make her throw up or have horrible diarrea. Both were a terrible mess and caused for many sleepless nights(not to mention loads of laundry) for my husband and I. Our Dr. recommended vapor rub as well as some antibiotics. We picked up the vapor rub only and rubbed a dab on her chest and some on the tip of her nose. We didn't have any problems after we tried that.
Hope she gets better soon
-T.

Most doctors will recommend a cool mist humidifier and saline nose drops. That is about all you can do for them right now. It is especially hard at night to keep them asleep, so if you can raise up one side of the mattress to elevate her head a little, that might help with some of the drainage.

I just spoke to my pediatrician about the recalls on children's cold medication and she said that it is all being blown a bit out of proportion, but that there is no proof that they work, so it probably isn't worth getting them. As long as you follow the dosing instructions very carefully (by weight, not age), then they don't pose a risk. The problem has been with parents overmedicating and not following dosing instructions carefully. The only time I have ever given my daughter the cold medicine was when she got a cold just before going on a plane. I tried the decongestant so that her ears wouldn't hurt on the plane, but I honestly don't know how much good the medicine did. Just give her the saline drops in her nose and suck out the junk. It will just have to run it's course.

I will tell you that your daughter will probably pick up a lot more at MDO now that she's around all the kiddos. My daughter never really got sick until she started in MDO, but they live through it and in the end, I think it's worth it. She hasn't had anything devastating, just some colds and viruses that went around. Best of luck to you!

Hi L.,
My daughter is 10 months old and had her 1st cold at 3 weeks and it scared me to death! I called her pedi and she told me not to bring her in unless she had a fever (that age is dangerous if they get a fever)or if she can't nurse due to the drainage. This is what the nurse told us to do...also I have a Dr. Sears book that said the same thing (www.askdrsears.com). Use a vaporizor (warm steam), elevate them slightly to sleep if possible (it helps them to breath a little easier), use a nasal aspirator. I try to use tissue with lotion or a cloth diaper to wipe her nose because it gets so sore from wiping all the time. I'm not sure about how much Tylenol to give because that goes according to their weight so I would call the Pedi for that if you don't know for sure. Other than that, you kind of just have to wait it out. Hope this helps.
B.

My 18 month old has had this cold for almost 5 weeks, we finally took her to the dr. and he put her on steroids and antibiotics, but in the meantime we just took lots of Dimetapp, Pancof, Triaminic, anything to bring her some relief, she had so much gunk in her, she threw up twice gagging on the pghlem. Use Saline nose spray and then try to suction out the mucuous especially after a hot bath when everything loosens up a bit. There isn't much they can do at the Dr. unless it lasts longer than 3 weeks.

Saline Nasal spray, decogestant nasal drops, cool air humidifier, Vicks Vapor rub in the chest and feet (put socks on after you put the vicks on).

If you take her to the Dr. for that you are just wasting your money, I had already done that myself & I was just sent home & told to buy an allergy cold medicine, unless there running a temp., they really can't do anything for you. They have alot of cold allergy medicines at Walmart, I use Dimetapp for children for cold & allergy works great.
Do the humidifier at night while she is sleeping & put some vicks on her chest, that will help her sleep better & hopefully get rid of the congestion !
Good Luck...........

Man you are so lucky this is her first cold. My son is 21 months old and I can't count how many colds he has had. He has had a cold right now for about 2 weeks. You just have to let them run their course. Just make her comfortable. Our doctors usually tells us that if it goes longer than 7-10days and is getting worse or the symptoms change then to take him in. But I would do the vicks, and warm baths with mentol bath before bed, try the suda care plug ins and fluids. And it's ok if she doesn't want to eat alot, my son gets like that. And just lots of hugs and kisses. Good luck!