6 Safe Home Remedies To Provide Relief From Cold In Children

Commonly cause by the rhinovirus, colds can also be caused by several other viruses.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Elna Gibson, MBChB, MMed Dr. Elna Gibson Dr. Elna GibsonMBChB, MMed facebook_icon Specialty: PediatricsExperience: 25 years
Written by Dr Bisny T. Joseph
Last Updated on
Cold In Children Symptoms, Treatment And Home Remedies

Image: Shutterstock

The common cold in children is a self-limiting viral illness of the upper respiratory tract, including the nose and throat. Children might be a little more susceptible to contracting it than adults.

Generally, cold symptoms improve in a week or two; however, if you do not see any improvement in your child’s symptoms, it is advised that you see a pediatrician (1).

Read on to learn more about the common cold in children, including its causes, symptoms, risk factors, complications, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

What Causes A Cold?

Various respiratory viruses can cause cold. There are more than 200 viruses known to cause common cold in humans. Rhinoviruses are the most common cause of cold and are also associated with sinus infections, ear infections, and asthma attacks (2).

Other common viruses that cause cold are (2):

How Do Children Catch Colds?

The common cold is a highly contagious disease. Your child may catch a cold from contact with someone who has been infected with cold viruses.

The common cold germs can spread in the following ways (3).

  • Cough or sneeze of an infected person could cause cold viruses to spread through respiratory droplets in the air. Breathing these respiratory droplets could cause viruses to settle in the nasal membrane.
  • Touching the nose, mouth, and eyes with unwashed hands after direct contact with an infected person could cause cold.
  • Contact with objects, such as utensils, toys, tables, or doorknobs, touched by an infected person or contaminated by respiratory droplets, may transmit viruses. Some of these viruses can stay alive on surfaces for several hours.

Is It Normal To Get Multiple Colds In A Year?

Most children may have six to eight colds a year. The incidence of colds may reduce after the age of six years when a child tends to develop immunity towards most cold viruses (4). Children who live in crowded areas or attend daycare may have more number of colds per year.

Cold is the leading cause of healthcare visits and missed days from school among children than any other illness (4). Children are more likely to catch colds during the fall and winter than in any other season.

Signs And Symptoms Of Cold In Children

The symptoms usually begin within one to three days after contact with a cold virus. These may include (2):

  • Mild cough
  • Throat irritation or sore throat
  • Muscle ache
  • Bone ache
  • Mild fever and chills
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue

These symptoms may also be seen in other diseases such as flu. Seek medical care for exact diagnosis, especially if the symptoms are severe or persist for a longer time.

Risk Factors And Complications Of Cold In Children

The risk of catching a cold is more in children than adults due to the following factors (5).

  • Immature immune system
  • Malnutrition
  • Chronic illnesses
  • Attending daycare or school since it easily spreads at these places
  • Touching the mouth, nose, and eyes with unwashed hands
  • Conditions such as stress and sleep problems, malnutrition, and chronic illnesses

Possible complications of common cold infection may include (5):

  • Acute ear infection such as otitis media, which is the infection of the area behind the eardrum and is associated with symptoms such as earaches or ear pain, fever, and green or yellow discharge from the nose
  • Pneumonia
  • Acute sinusitis
  • Throat infections, such as strep throat or streptococcal pharyngitis
  • An asthma attack may be triggered during cold infection
  • Croup
  • Bronchiolitis

Common cold can also lead to secondary or superimposed bacterial infections or respiratory distress. Always seek help from a pediatrician if the symptoms do not resolve in a few days to avoid complications.

When To See A Doctor

If your child has any of the following signs or symptoms, seek immediate medical care (4).

  • High fever
  • Unresolved symptoms for more than ten days
  • Severe symptoms that do not get better with over-the-counter medicines

Diagnosis Of Cold In Children

Healthcare providers usually diagnose cold based on the symptoms. Blood tests, sputum culture, chest X-ray, or other tests may often be ordered to check for bacterial infections, allergies, etc.

Home Remedies For Cold In Children

The following home treatments may help ease symptoms of the common cold in children (4) (6).

  1. Get enough rest and sleep for fast recovery.
  1. Drink more fluids including, water, diluted apple juice, electrolyte solutions, warm soups, etc. to prevent dehydration.
  1. Use saline nasal sprays to ease stuffy nose or nasal congestion.
  1. Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke and respiratory irritants.
  1. Cool-mist humidifiers may help reduce breathing problems.
  1. Avoid caffeinated beverages to prevent dehydration.

Herbs, minerals, and other popular cold remedies, such as echinacea, garlic, lemon, honey, eucalyptus, zinc, menthol, vitamin C, etc. lack strong scientific support (6).

You may give over-the-counter (OTC) medications to ease symptoms after discussing with your child’s pediatrician.

Observe the following cautions while giving OTC medications for cold (7) (8).

  1. Do not give ibuprofen to infants younger than six months.
  1. Do not give cough or cold medicines to children younger than four years unless prescribed by a doctor.
  1. Do not give aspirin to children younger than 19 years of age since it may cause Reye syndrome.

Treatment For Common Cold In Children

There is no specific cure for the common cold. It resolves on its own, usually in a week or two. However, if the symptoms are severe, symptomatic treatment is provided, such as decongestant for nasal congestion, fever medicines, and pain relievers (9).

Cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children younger than four years due to potential side effects (8). You may also seek pediatrician prescription for cold medicines for a child above four years for the right dosage based on the child’s age and weight.

Note: Antibiotics are not useful for treating common cold since it is not effective against viral infections (8).

How To Prevent Colds In Children?

There is no vaccine or medicines to prevent the common cold. However, the following precautions may help reduce the incidences of the common cold in children (2).

  • Wash hands with soap and water or use sanitizers
  • Follow cough and sneeze etiquette
  • Disinfect toys, doorknobs, and other repeatedly touched objects or surfaces
  • Remind children not to touch their face with unwashed hands
  • Keep a distance from an infected family member

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does a cold last in a child?

Colds usually last for a week and may continue until two weeks. Colds self-resolve generally over some time (3).

2. Does paracetamol help a cold?

Yes, paracetamol can relieve the symptoms of a cold (10).

3. Which food is good for cold and cough in kids?

Diluted fruit juices, fluids, soups, broth, fruits rich in vitamin C, and simple starches such as noodles and rice, toast, apple sauce, and bananas are preferable food choices for children with colds and coughs (11).

4. How is a cold different from the flu?

Common colds can be caused by several viruses, such as parainfluenza, rhinoviruses, and seasonal coronaviruses. On the other hand, flu is caused by influenza viruses only (11).

Fever, runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes, and throat irritation are common symptoms of cold in children. Cold can be spread through respiratory droplets or from direct contact with infected persons. Children who live in crowded areas or attend daycare facilities are more likely to get cold. Some children may develop pneumonia, ear infections, or acute sinusitis too. Home remedies and rest may help to cure the condition. However, it is recommended to seek pediatric care for severe symptoms such as high fever and if the cold does not resolve within a few days.

Key Pointers

  • Children usually have six to eight colds annually, and the likelihood of contracting the infection increases in fall and winter than in other seasons.
  • Children can catch a cold through someone infected with cold viruses or when they come in contact with objects touched by an infected individual.
  • Watery eyes, headache, and fatigue are a few signs of a cold.
  • Washing hands with soap and water and disinfecting surfaces are a few effective ways to prevent cold in children.

References

1. Cold Symptoms & Causes; Boston Children’s Hospital
2. Common Colds: Protect Yourself and Others; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
3. Colds in children; Canadian Paediatric Society
4. Common Cold in Children; The University of Rochester Medical Center
5. Upper Respiratory Infection (URI or Common Cold); The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
6. Facts About The Common Cold; The American Lung Association
7. How to Care for Your Child’s Cold; American Academy of Pediatrics
8. Manage Common Cold; The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
9. Common Cold in Children; Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital; Stanford Children’s Health
10. Common colds: Relief for a stuffy nose, cough and sore throat; National Library of Medicine
11. Feeding Children When They Are Sick; Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Was this article helpful?
thumbsupthumbsdown

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our vibrant community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with like-minded individuals.

Dr. Elna Gibson
Dr. Elna GibsonMBChB, MMed, Paeds
Dr. Elna Gibson is a general pediatrician. She did her MBChB and specialization as a pediatrician in South Africa at the University of Pretoria. She obtained MMed Pediatrics (masters) with distinction in 1993.As a young specialist, Dr.

Read full bio of Dr. Elna Gibson
Latest Articles