Colds and Young Children
Old-fashioned remedies for kids feeling under the weather that avoid cough medicines and antihistamines.
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For treating respiratory infections in children under age 12, physicians are increasingly likely to recommend antihistamines over cough and cold medicines, according to a Rutgers study published in JAMA Pediatrics. However, antihistamines, widely used to treat various allergic conditions, have little benefit for children with colds, and some older antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, or Benadryl, cause sedation and occasionally agitation. Their prescription is a reaction to cough and cold medicines coming under suspicion a decade ago as a treatment for very young children because some contain codeine and hydrocodone, which are opioid ingredients. The best remedy? Over-the-counter medicine for pain or fever, honey for cough relief (in children over age 1), and plenty of rest and hydration.
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