You are probably aware that Health Canada recently issued a warning regarding the use of cold remedies specifically formulated for children under the age of 2 years. Since cough and cold medications often contain multiple ingredients, the likelihood of overdosing on one of the ingredients is increased, and poses a risk for young children. (For example, a caregiver might give one formula to relieve a nighttime cough and another for the sniffles, when both formulas contain one or more of the same ingredients.)

To protect the health interests of your younger children, London Drugs has ensured that all cough and cold products formulated for children under the age of 2 have been removed from our shelves. The exception is single-ingredient pain reliever/fever reducers expressly labelled for infants such as Tylenol® Infants' Acetaminophen Drops and Motrin® Infants' Ibuprofen Oral Drops which remain available for parents and caregivers.

Few things are as distressing to a parent than hearing a child coughing continuously, particularly at night. Younger children and babies can become especially distraught when they cannot stop coughing.

Although cough suppressants are no longer recommended for children under 2, there are many ways to help a coughing or congested child breathe easier.

A Cold, or Something More Serious

Before treating your child, it’s best to make sure that he or she is not suffering from something more serious than the common cold. Children’s colds produce similar symptoms to those experienced by an adult. They often appear worse, as a child may not blow his nose when needed. The resulting distress in turn exacerbates the feeling of congestion.

A child with a cold may experience a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, headache, other aches and pains, difficulty breathing and restless sleep. The start of a cold may be accompanied by fever and vomiting. If you are concerned that your child’s symptoms seem severe, you should trust your instincts and contact your doctor as soon as possible to set your mind at rest. You should always consult a health professional if:

Your baby is under 1 month old and his temperature is over 38.5°C (101.3°F) rectally, even if he doesn't seem sick.
Your baby aged 1 to 3 months old has a temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F) even if he doesn't seem sick, or a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) that has lasted more than 24 hours.
Your baby aged 3 months to 2 years has a fever of 38.6°C (101.4°F), and the fever rises or lasts for more than three days.
Your child over the age of 2 has a fever of 38.6°C (101.4°F) and the fever rises or lasts more than three days.
Your baby or child is showing any of the following signs:
severe headache • constant vomiting or diarrhea
skin rash • dry mouth
stiff neck • stomach pain
no appetite • unusual irritability
sore throat or earache that doesn't improve
a fever that comes and goes over several days
is unresponsive or limp
is whimpering, or crying is high pitched
is wheezing or having problems breathing
is unusually pale

Things That Help

Although a cold has to run its course and cannot be “cured,” there are a number of things you can do to make your little one feel better:

Children often lose their appetite when they are sick. Instead of encouraging your child to eat, make sure that she is taking lots of fluids to prevent dehydration. Encourage her to drink small amounts at regular intervals. Children of 3 years and older need at least one litre of caffeine-free liquids daily. Warm liquids and soups will help clear your child’s airways and help him feel better. Do not give pop or other carbonated beverages which can be dehydrating.
A sick child will often feel worse if he cannot breathe properly. Help him blow his nose one nostril at a time. (Younger children who refuse to blow their noses can often be encouraged if you tell them it’s a race between the two sides to see which one blows better. Don’t forget to wash your hands afterwards!) You may also want to give him a nasal decongestant formulated for children or babies such as those manufactured by HydraSense®. Use of a cold-mist humidifier will also help ease your child’s breathing. Be sure to clean the humidifier according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Make sure your child is comfortable and not too hot or too cold. Provide lots of attention and hugs. This will help her to sleep, which stimulates the immune system and helps her body to recover faster.
If your child has a fever, check with your doctor or pediatrician to determine if you should give him a fever-reducer such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and determine the appropriate dose. Never give a child under the age of 16 ASA (Aspirin™) as it increases the risk for Reye’s Syndrome when a viral infection is present. (Reye’s syndrome is a potentially fatal disease which affects the brain and liver.) Acetaminophen will help reduce a child’s fever and make her feel more comfortable.
Ask your child if he would prefer to be in the living room or kitchen where he can be near you. There are no rules about keeping your sick little one in bed. This may make him feel lonely or isolated. If he would prefer to be closer, bundle him up on the sofa, or tuck him into a chair where he can watch you.

A Fun Lesson on Washing Hands

London Drugs Patient Care Pharmacists would like you to know that they would love to show your child’s school or play group how to wash their hands. Proper hand washing is an important factor in preventing the spread of germs. Using special glow-in-the-dark soap, little participants will be able to see which areas of their hands were washed properly and which were left out.

For more information, email Shan Khoo at skhoo@londondrugs.com.