Scientists: It Is Better For Children Not To Bury Their Nose With A Cold

2023 Author: Abraham Higgins | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 23:16

Scientists: it is better for children not to bury their nose with a cold

Vasoconstrictor nasal drops should not be given to children under 6 years of age and with caution to children under 12 years of age. This new recommendation from scientists is due to the fact that there is no evidence that they relieve nasal congestion or runny nose, and their safety is unclear, experts at BMJ say.

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Vasoconstrictor nasal drops should not be given to children under 6 years of age and with caution to children under 12 years of age. This new recommendation from scientists is due to the fact that there is no evidence that they relieve nasal congestion or runny nose, and their safety is unclear, experts at BMJ say.

Decongestants or vasoconstrictor nasal drops and sprays are drugs that relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa with a cold and make breathing easier. These include xylometazoline, naphazoline and others.

Professor Mieke van Driel and colleagues analyzed published data from major clinical studies on the effectiveness of treating the common cold. Based on the information received, they advise doctors to reassure patients that a cold is painful, but its symptoms disappear after a few days.

The data regarding the treatment of adults indicate a slight relief of nasal symptoms when using vasoconstrictors (either alone or together with antihistamines or analgesics) within 3-7 days. However, side effects are also possible - an increased risk of insomnia, drowsiness, headache or upset stomach. In addition, long-term use of vasoconstrictor drugs (more than 7 days) leads to chronic nasal congestion that is difficult to treat.

Paracetamol and other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) reduce fever and relieve pain, but not relieve nasal congestion or runny nose. Other treatments are either ineffective or have not been studied at all. These include steam inhalation, rubbing ointments, echinacea or eucalyptus oil, and increased fluid intake.

For children (especially under 12 years of age), who are more susceptible to colds than the rest of the population, there are no clinical trials. Therefore, vasoconstrictor drugs or antihistamines should not be given to children under 6 years old, and children 6-12 years old should be careful.

"There is no evidence that these treatments relieve nasal symptoms and that they can cause side effects such as drowsiness or upset gastrointestinal (stomach) disorders," the review authors write.

Parents need to be aware that in children under 2 years of age, vasoconstrictor drugs can cause seizures, heart palpitations, and even death.

The use of over-the-counter medicines and home treatments (heated humidified air, analgesics, using eucalyptus oil or echinacea, etc.) as a treatment for the common cold is not supported by sufficient evidence.

"If parents are concerned about their child's comfort, saline nasal irrigation or drops can be used safely, but it may not provide the desired relief," they note.

The review authors conclude that the current research does not provide relevant evidence and does not address the uncertainty associated with treating the common cold: “Based on the currently available evidence, confirmation that symptoms are self-limiting is the best you can offer patients, albeit short-term. the use of vasoconstrictors in adults may provide some relief from nasal congestion.