Children can get the common cold as often as six times a year, states the Mayo Clinic. If your child has cold symptoms like a sore throat, headache and cough, take her to the doctor just to be sure. If it's okay with her pediatrician, you can use over-the-counter (OTC) cold remedies to help reduce the symptoms of your child's cold.
Saline Nasal Spray
If your child suffers from nasal congestion and sinus pressure, the Mayo Clinic recommends using saline nasal spray to help clear a stuffy nose. Saline nasal spray is made of salt and water and is a safer way to treat nasal congestion compared to other over-the-counter nasal sprays, which can dry out the nasal passages. Saline nasal spray is safe for use in young children and infants, and can be administered by placing a few drops in each nostril, then using a bulb syringe to carefully suck out the excess saline solution and mucus. For older children, use a nasal spray bottle to carefully spray the solution up the child's nose, then instruct the child to blow his nose.
Cough Syrup
Over-the-counter cough syrup is not approved for use in children under age 2, and the FDA suggests that children ages 6 and under should also not use it. Over-the-counter cough medicine is approved for use in children over 2, but should be used exactly according to the label's instructions. Cough syrup will not make a child's cough go away any sooner and does not treat any of the cold's underlying causes, says Mayo Clinic pediatrics specialist Jay Hoecker, M.D. Do not give a child two or more cold medications with the same active ingredient, as this can cause an accidental overdose.
Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are over-the-counter pain relievers that are safe to treat pain and fever associated with the common cold in children older than 6 months, says Dr. Hoecker. Aspirin is not safe for children under age 18 because it can cause Reye's syndrome, an illness that can be fatal. Give your child ibuprofen and acetaminophen exactly as directed on the label and keep in mind that the dose for children is different from a dose for adults.
