Safer ways to treat cold and ear infection than medicine

Q Is it safe to give my six-month-old baby over-the-counter cold medicine? He has had two colds so far, thanks to his older sister who brings them home from preschool.

AIt is not a good idea to give over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines to children, particularly those under the age of six years. One of the problems with these medications is that they come by many different names, dosages and strengths. Many of them contain the same or similar medications and it is very easy to give a child an overdose, particularly if you give more than one medication. I would be interested to know how many calls the Poison Control Centre gets every year regarding these medications.

There isn't much to recommend OTC cough and cold preps. Studies don't show that they help significantly with symptom relief and they don't help to get rid of the infection. They are costly and often difficult to administer. Having said that, it makes you, as a parent, feel that you are helping your child by giving him something that may help him feel better.

So what can you do instead? Start by monitoring his symptoms. If he has a fever, then acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can decrease his temperature. Many of the OTC cold preps also contain these ingredients, so don't combine the two or an overdose could occur. Fluids can help your child feel better and will help avoid dehydration. Saline nose drops, or a humidifier, can help unblock a baby's nose and both are safer to use than nasal decongestants, which can raise blood pressure. If you use a humidifier, make sure it is cleaned well before use and don't use it for more than a few days as it can cause problems with moisture and mould.

If you think your baby is really suffering from his cold, there is a chance that it could be something more. Anything other than few days of runny nose, mild cough, sneezing and low-grade fever could signal something like an ear infection or a chest infection. So it's important to have him seen by his doctor. Otherwise, try good old-fashioned fluids and rest.

Health Canada recommends that OTC cold and cough medications not be used in children under the age of six years. For more information on the recent Health Canada advisory, go to: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2008/2008_184-eng.php

This information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician.

from :www.canada.com