Colds & Blocked Noses
If your child has become uncharacteristically irritable with a high temperature and a runny nose then you may be dealing with the common cold.
A cold is a mild illness caused by one of over 200 different viruses. It spreads when your child breathes in airborne droplets produced by infected people coughing, sneezing or talking, as well as by contact with infected surfaces (e.g. on hands, used tissues, etc).
In the UK, colds are more common during the winter and adults generally catch up to four colds a year. However, because babies have little resistance to infections, they can be unfortunate enough to have as many as 12 colds a year.
How will I know if my child has a cold?
Tell-tale symptoms of a cold include a runny or blocked nose, a sore throat and a headache. A baby with a cold may be irritable and a blocked nose can make feeding difficult. In some cases, a cough and a mild temperature occur (see Fever).
What else might it be?
Influenza viruses may also produce similar but more severe symptoms. Flu is often associated with a fever, shivering, headaches, aching muscles, discomfort and loss of appetite. Babies and young children with flu may be lethargic and not feeding well. Any infant with these symptoms who is not feeding well will need to see a doctor, as there is a possibility of a more serious illness.
If your child's nose is only running from one nostril and the discharge is smelly or contains blood, there may be an object stuck in the infant's nose.
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) causes a more watery discharge from the nose, but this is usually accompanied by an itchy nose and sneezing. The eyes may be watery and itchy too (see Conjunctivitis).
What to expect:
Colds usually last about a week and get better of their own accord. Babies with colds can have difficulty feeding due to blocked or runny noses. If this is the case, then they may become dehydrated. Children are also more susceptible to secondary infections such as conjunctivitis, bronchitis, pneumonia and ear infections.
Prevention
Cold viruses spread easily, especially amongst children. To prevent your baby from catching a cold, it may be a good idea to ask infected adults and parents of infected children to avoid contact with your child as much as possible and remind everyone to:
- cover their face when coughing or sneezing, use paper tissues to wipe their nose and put used tissues in the waste bin
- wash their hands after sneezing or blowing their nose
How to treat cold symptoms:
Babies and children with colds feel just as miserable as you do, when you catch one. There is no cure for the common cold. Antibiotics are not suitable because they work against bacterial infections, not viral infections. However, you can help relieve some of your child's cold symptoms using a variety of medicines.
Oral Ibuprofen (suitable for children from three months, over 5kg) is available from your pharmacist or supermarket and can provide effective relief. Nurofen for Children is a pleasant tasting (orange or strawberry flavour) ibuprofen suspension available in either single use sachets or a bottle which comes with an easy dosing syringe: and both are colour and sugar free.
Nurofen for Children contains Ibuprofen. Always read the product label.
Oral Paracetamol can provide effective relief from aches, pains, sore throat and fever and most children are able to take it with few or no problems. Disprol Paracetamol Suspension is suitable for children from three months and is sugar and colour free.
Disprol Paracetamol Suspension contains Paracetamol. Always read the product label.
Decongestants can be helpful for providing relief for children as well as babies with colds. When babies get a cold, blocked noses can force them to breathe through their mouth instead of their nose, disrupting both eating and sleeping routines. Karvol has been specifically formulated to help children breathe more easily and therefore help them sleep more soundly. It contains a unique combination of aromatic oils including pine, cinnamon and menthol. These natural vapours, once released, ease congestion and aid easy breathing. Karvol is available in a number of different formats.
Karvol Decongestant Capsules come in an easy-to-use format offering a measured dose, providing you with the added reassurance that you are giving the right amount. At night, the contents of the capsules can be placed onto bedding or a handkerchief nearby, but avoiding direct skin contact. It is suitable for use from three months. Always read the label.
Karvol Vaporiser is a unique plug-in that releases Karvol vapours to help promote clear and easy breathing. It is also safe for use with children due to its unique & patented childproof locking system. Refills are also available.
Karvol Vaporiser and refills are not medicines.
Karvol Decongestant Drops provide a convenient dropper bottle format for the more experienced parents. For babies over three months, squeeze the capsule contents onto a handkerchief secured nearby, but out of reach of the child. For older children and adults, place up to six drops onto bedding or a handkerchief nearby, or put into a pint of hot water and inhale the vapours with care.
Karvol Vapour Rub can be rubbed onto the chest of children over six months, gently helping clear, easy breathing. It is ideal for use during the day and can be re-applied before bedtime as necessary.
Karvol Vapour Rub is not a medicine.
For older children, sore throats can be soothed by giving them a lozenge to suck. Some lozenges just soothe the throat, but others (such as Strepsils Honey & Lemon) also contains antiseptics to help fight the bacteria which can cause sore throats. (Suitable from use from six years onwards, always read the label). If you are a smoker, avoid smoking in the same room as your child.
Other tips:
- Babies with colds too young to blow their nose will need your help to keep it clear. You can ask your doctor for salt water nose drops to soften any crusty mucus.
- Give babies smaller and more frequent feeds to help keep him hydrated.
- Keep it clean — the whole family should clean their hands regularly with antiseptic hand washes such as Dettol antibacterial liquid hand wash to help wash away infected secretions and prevent your baby getting a cold.
Click here for more information on Dettol, Disprol, Karvol, Nurofen for Children or Strepsils
Always read the product labels
