If you live or work with kids, there is not just one cold and flu season each year…. there are many. Colds are extremely common among young children, and many kids get between six and eight of them each year. Children’s bodies react much differently to medication than adult bodies, so these common sicknesses need to be approached in a gentle, patient, and preventive way.
Here is some information about how to prevent colds in kids, no matter what time of year it is. We’ll also suggest some homeopathic remedies for kids’ cold care to discuss with your pediatrician for little ones who aren’t feeling well.
Why Kids Get Colds
Colds are caused by viral infections in the upper respiratory tract, and they can be very contagious. Tiny droplets of viruses exist in the air, our hands, and surfaces we touch. Most colds start being contagious the day before a child is even symptomatic and then continue being contagious for about a week. Colds go through various stages and end up lasting about seven to 10 days in kids with otherwise healthy immune systems.
Cold Prevention Tips for Kids
Teaching a child to wash his or her hands properly is a great first step to cold prevention. But rather than just rinsing them off, kids need to scrub their hands in warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds. A good trick is to have your child sing the “Happy Birthday” song while scrubbing so that it lasts for that long of a time period.
It’s also important to teach kids how to cover their coughs and sneezes to prevent the spread of germs. Avoid sharing cups, utensils, and towels in your household. Kids need to get enough sleep and eat a well-balanced diet with fruits and vegetables every day to maintain a healthy immune system that can fight off colds when germs are floating around. Parents may also want to talk with their children’s pediatricians to discuss whether the flu vaccine is recommended.
Homeopathic Cold Remedies for Kids
Since the common cold is caused by a virus, there is no point in taking antibiotics because these over-prescribed medications target bacterial infections and cause more harm than good. Instead, most colds in children can be treated with at-home remedies, natural ingredients, and some tender loving care.
For stuffed-up sinuses and mucous blockage, we recommend Seagate Nasal Spray for children ages three and older. While adults can use this very same product as well, the recommended dosage for kids at least three years old is one spray in each nostril every 2-3 hours. Colds in children also often include earache as a symptom, and for this we offer Seagate Pediatric Earache Remedy. We incorporate six homeopathic ingredients into this treatment: Verbascum, Plantago major, Kali mur, Chamomilla, Belladonna, and Aconitum napellus in a base of Olive Leaf Extract and Grapefruit Seed Extract. Each of the ingredients has been chosen for their control of ear irritations or for their antimicrobial properties.
In general, other homeopathic cold remedies that are recommended for kids include Euphrasia, Pulsatilla, Bryonia, and Allium cepa. Always consult a doctor before giving your child a new cold treatment that you haven’t tried in the past.