Soothing Stuffy Noses

As cold and flu season emerges, your little one may begin battling congestion. Read on to learn how you can safely alleviate some of his discomfort.

According to Carol Campbell, RN, Answer Line nurse for
St. Louis Children’s Hospital, children tend to have more trouble with congestion than adults because their airways are narrower.

“Children don’t have as much space to work with—if they have thick mucus in their airways, it can be harder for them to clear,” Campbell says. “For infants, this may be even more difficult as their muscles aren’t strong enough to force mucus out of the airways.”

Easing the Symptoms
A cool mist vaporizer may be used to ease some of your child’s symptoms. For children age 1 and older, a teaspoon of honey also may be used to loosen the airways and reduce coughing. Nasal washes are recommended. However, be sure to steer clear of warm mist vaporizers and products with menthol. Over-the-counter medications should be avoided as well, especially if your child is age 4 or younger, due to accidental overdoses. Also, research is still being conducted to ensure over-the-counter decongestants are safe and effective for children.

If your little one is having trouble with congestion, call 314.454.KIDS (5437) or toll-free 800.678.KIDS to learn more about how you can soothe your child’s congestion.