A cold in a child usually does not require medical intervention. However, it must not be neglected, because if left untreated, it may result in bronchitis or sinusitis, and the accompanying runny nose and cough are very annoying. If your child has a cold, you should give them vitamin C. What else can you do?
In the beginningcolds the coughis dry (a reaction to a scratchy throat). Then it gets wet - the baby coughs up the mucus. In turn,rhinitis , which accompanies a cold, is caused by viruses that destroy the cells of the nasal mucosa and cause its inflammation. The body has to fight it itself, which usually takes about a week.
Remedies for ailments that accompany a cold
For a runny nose they help:
- inhalations. Put half a cup of chamomile baskets in a bowl or low pot, pour hot water. The vapor escaping from the vessel should be inhaled by the child through the mouth and nose. A few minutes of inhalation increases the production of mucus along with which the body gets rid of microorganisms
- rubbing the breast and back with a warming ointment, and the skin under the nose with marjoram ointment. This reduces swelling of the mucous membranes and facilitates breathing
- air humidification. You can pour a few drops of an oil into the humidifier, e.g. eucalyptus oil, which constricts the mucosa.
Help with coughing:
- Dry cough helps heat which speeds up the production of mucus. The child should lie in bed and have a hot water bottle on the chest. If he doesn't want to lie down, wrap his neck with a scarf. Also give him tea with raspberry juice or warm milk with honey (provided that he is not allergic, because honey is a strong allergen).
- Garlic syrup helps with a wet cough. It contains allicin, known as a natural antibiotic. Crush a few cloves of garlic, mix with the juice of two lemons and add half a glass of cool water. Then strain it through a strainer and give your baby a drink three times a day.
For a sore throat
You can give your baby lozenges, but other drugs also help.
- Cabbage leaf compresses that are anti-inflammatory and reduce pain. Dip a few leaves in hot water, then break them with a pestle, wrap them around the baby's necks, and put a towel on the compress. The child should keep them around the neck for a quarter of an hour.Any warm compresses have an analgesic effect - instead of cabbage, you can cook, for example, a bag of porridge.
- Herbal rinses with sage, chamomile or calendula. They relieve pain and burning and disinfect. Pour boiling water over a handful of herbs, keep covered for 20 minutes, strain and cool so that it does not burn.
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