The article is for information purpose only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

It is common for children to get colds due to their weaker immune system. Many parents opt for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. However, it is important for parents to know the dangers of OTC cold medicines. Cough and cold medicines are among the top 20 substances leading to death in children younger than five years old. Furthermore, the US Food and Drug Administration recommended that OTC cough and cold medicines should be avoided in children younger than two years old.

Manufacturers of OTC drugs have also voluntarily modified the product label to state that they should not be used among children younger than four years old.

As colds are self-limited, which means the child will be able to eliminate the virus, parents do not need to worry too much.

In this article, we provide alternatives to OTC drugs, which are harmful for children, and differentiate between effective and ineffective drugs.

Ineffective drugs

According to St. Joseph Family Medicine Residency, as viruses causes most colds, antibiotics are proven to be ineffective.

Products from Echinacea, a popular herb (coneflower), are also ineffective for treating cold symptoms in children in a Cochrane review.

In addition, OTC antihistamines with or without decongestant may only relieve the symptoms of the common cold and will cause harmful side effects in children. Antihistamines are medicines that dry up the nasal secretion to stop runny or blocked noses.

OTC drugs such as Dextromethorphan to treat coughs with colds are also proven to be no more effective than the placebo.

Effective drugs

Zinc sulfate

When given within the first 24 hours of symptom onset, zinc sulfate in the form of syrup can decrease the duration of cold symptoms, according to studies regarding its therapeutic use.

Nasal irrigation with saline

To relieve sore throat and runny or blocked nose in an acute cold, using nasal irrigation will help. Nasal irrigation with saline can help to alleviate sore throat, thin nasal secretions, improve nasal breathing and can reduce the need for mucolytics and nasal decongestants. Decongestants are medicines that shrink the blood vessels in the nose, allow your child to breathe more easily and comes in forms of nasal sprays, nose drops and oral tablets.

Compared to OTC drugs and decongestants which brings detrimental effects, nasal irrigation has only very minor side effects.

High-dose inhaled corticosteroids

To treat wheezing developed from viral cold symptoms, high-dose inhaled corticosteroids may be used. While low-dose corticosteroids are ineffective, high-dose inhaled corticosteroids can decrease the frequency of wheezing episodes that require oral corticosteroids and the number of episodes.

Preventing cold and shortening cold episodes

Prevention is better than cure. In order to prevent cold and shorten the duration of cold episodes, you can give your child complementary and alternative medicine products that are proven to be effective.

Probiotics

Probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM may reduce the incidence of fever, runny nose, cough and the use of antibiotics. They can be in the form of supplements or alternatively, you can give your child foods that contains probiotics. They are fermented vegetables like homemade sauerkraut and kimchi, kombucha, coconut kefir and other fermented foods.

Vitamin C

A Cochrane review also showed a 13 percent decrease in cold symptoms in children who took one gram of vitamin C daily before illness. Hence, it will be good to ensure that your child has Vitamin C intake daily through food or supplements. This is especially important when your child is schooling as he or she will most likely be exposed to more germs and during hot, cold or dry weather where your child is more likely to fall sick.

Zinc Sulfate

Zinc sulfate in the form of syrup is effective in preventing colds in children. When used for at least five months, the incidence of viral colds and use of antibiotics is reduced. Alternatively, you can try giving your child foods with zinc which include red meat, shellfish, beans, nuts like cashew, and mushrooms.

Chizukit

Chizukit is effective in the prevention of cold in children. This substance contains 50 mg per mL of Echinacea (coneflower), 50 mg per mL of propolis (derived from bees), and 10 mg per mL of vitamin C. In a trial of 430 children from one to five years of age, Chizukit decreased the number of cold episodes and the number of days the child was ill. It also decreased the need for antibiotics and antipyretics such as aspirin and paracetamol that reduces fever. However, it has an unpleasant taste that children may refuse taking.

Nasal Saline Irrigation

Nasal irrigation with saline is an effective preventive measure and can be used for treatment at the same time. It decreases illness and nasal secretions, improving your child’s nasal breathing. Your child will use fewer antipyretics, nasal decongestants and mucolytics.

Diet and Lifestyle

To boost your child’s immune system, it is essential to ensure that he or she is having a well-balanced diet. A well-balanced diet will be a diet balanced in protein sources with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

A diet that contains food with vitamin A will help to boost your child’s immune system. Vitamin A is able to activate lymphocytes and help your child’s body in producing antibody isotypes. Foods rich in vitamin A include carrot, spinach and sweet potato.

Vitamin C can also increase the number of natural killer cells in your child’s blood. Sources of vitamin C include guava, orange, papaya and broccoli.

Antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C and selenium are also important in immune maintenance and protection against inflammation. Sources of vitamin E include almonds, spinach, sweet potato and avocado.

Other than taking foods with Vitamin A, C and E, Vitamin D also helps to prevent inflammation and equip your child’s immune system with better defence against threats. To get vitamin D, you can allow your child to be in the sun for 10 to 15 minutes a day.