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Issue Date: February 10, 2008
Kids' cold remedies: Now what?
Chicken soup certainly "can't hurt," says pediatrician Ian Paul.
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It's the height of sniffles season, and parents of little ones are facing a new dilemma: What are their options to alleviate symptoms given the Food and Drug Administration's recent recommendation against using over-the-counter cold medicines for children younger than 6?
Ian Paul, M.D., of the American Academy of Pediatrics' executive committee on clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, says parents can help their kids feel better by adjusting the approach and by making a few additions to the medicine cabinet.
Although children may not get the same relief they did from cold medicines, there is an upside, Paul adds: Pharmaceutical companies now have an incentive to find new, safe remedies for kids.
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Little one have a cold? How to help
Non-aspirin pain relievers ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) "could and should be used for children who are uncomfortable."
Keep kids well-hydrated withplenty of fluids.
Have your child sit in the bathroom with the steam from a warm shower. Paul prefers this over humidifiers, which, if not cleaned properly, can harbor bacteria and mold.
Try plain saline nasal drops to relieve congestion.
-- Gayle Jo Carter
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