The Best Flu Medicine For Kids
The Best Flu Medicine For Kids
The neighborhood market can provide a wide range of over the counter preparations to fight off the flu, but are they the best flu medicine for kids? While it is always a good idea to consult a doctor before giving any medicine to your children, even homeopathic flu medicine, perhaps this guide will help alleviate some of your fears. The key to choosing the right medicine for your child lies within their symptoms. By matching the symptom to the product, you may find that choosing the best flu medicine for kids is easier than you thought.
If your child's nose is stuffed to the point where blowing it does not help, it may be a good idea to purchase a nasal decongestant for them. Keep in mind that not all over the counter medicines are safe for young children, however. If your child is under the age of 6, it might be safer to go with a homeopathic flu medicine, or a homemade saline solution. Simply mix a teaspoon of salt into eight ounces of water, and use a nasal applicator to gently flush out and drain your child's nasal passages.
For runny noses, it is best to choose an antihistamine. Be aware, however, that most of the products on the market, even those that claim to be the best flu medicine for kids, may cause drowsiness, especially in children. Therefore, it is not recommended to give any antihistamine to children during the day, only at night, and with caution.
Cough suppressants are best to use when the symptom is a dry cough. This is a flu medicine for kids that is best used only at night, when they are at home and you can monitor their use. A cough is the body's way of expelling the germs that has made it sick, so it may be best to let the body work on its own during the day. They will be uncomfortable, but with young children, it may be the best way to deal with it.
The one flu symptom that you do not want to risk giving children over the counter medicine for is fever. There are far too many health risks associated with processed medicines and fever, especially in young children. When fever is involved, perhaps a homeopathic flu medicine preparation would be better. At best, the only over the counter medicine that you can safely give children over the age of 5 is acetaminophen. Both ibuprofen and aspirin are risky, and have been linked to Reye's Syndrome.
The best homeopathic flu medicine for children comes in two forms: herbal tea and herbal bath. The herbal tea can be either elderberry or green, sweetened with honey, but not sugar. Green and elderberry teas stimulate the immune system, and adding sugar will retard it. Choose a herbal bath that contains eucalyptus for the best effect, and as a homeopathic flu medicine it will begin to break both the fever and reduce the congestion all at the same time.
There are dozens of over the counter medicines available today to combat the flu, but not all of them are safe for children of any age. Therefore, it is recommended that you consult a pediatrician before giving any processed or homeopathic remedy to your child to fight the flu. The Best Ideas of Money Making for Kids Designer Baby Gifts for Your Child Remember the Innocence of Your Inner Child? Are your Children Eating a Regular Breakfast? A Getting Muscle Primer for Teenage Boys Could You Win the MUCHACHOMALO Contest for the Biggest Bad Boy or Girl? Having a pregnant female child Flying Kites With Kids: 3 Things To Consider Summer performing arts camp Is Best For Kids Kids Woodworking Projects Juvenile Diabetes: How to Talk to Your Child about a Diabetes Diagnosis Are You Delaying Potty Training Your Kids? Stop Child-hood Problems - By Talking to Your Child Before There Is a Problem