The Health Blog

Rinsing with a special saline nasal wash made from Atlantic seawater improves symptoms in children with colds and flu, and may prevent recurrence of these infections, a new study claims.

It was just few months ago when FDA recommended a ban for over-the-counter cough and cold medicines (containing at least one of the following ingredients: decongestants, expectorants, antihistamines, and antitussives). for children younger than six. And just few weeks ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued its new advisory stating that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines should not be given to infants and children under the age of 2. The agency has not come to a final decision on the use of such products in children aged 2 to 11. Reasons provided for this ban include questions about its safety and little evidence to prove its ineffectiveness in young children.

Since then, consumers especially moms, are asking for ways on how they could fight common colds in their children. Researchers as well, seek to alternative and answers.

A new study looked for an alternative to the many cough and cold medications – the saline nasal wash.

The saline technique could provide a more holistic alternative to such over-the-counter medications, and has the added advantage of having little downside and not contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. Washington Post

The study involved 400 children who were assigned to receiving either the standard medicines plus the saline nasal wash or standard medicines alone. The nasal wash formula was given six times a day for eight weeks, then three times a day for the next four weeks. Results showed that less severe sore throats, coughs, nasal obstructions and secretions were observed in the nasal wash group. Further, there was a decrease of usage of fever-reducing drug (antipyretics), decongestants and antibiotics, reducing the emerging problem of antibiotic resistance.