Strollerderby : colds

Cough Cover: Because We Can't Possibly Make Them Use a Tissue

JeanneSager — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:20:00 GMT

OK, I'm all for mompreneurship and new ideas to make parenting easier. But a cover for kids sleeves to trap their runny nose germs?

Aren't we supposed to be teaching them NOT to wipe their nose with their sleeves?

The CoughCover was created by a registered nurse, mother and grandmother who says she saw a need for something that would "help children manage their coughs, colds and runny noses and provide a convenient method for everyone to use good respiratory hygiene practices."

We thought Kleenex and Puffs had it covered, but Michele Strocel thought otherwise. The CoughCover is made of a non-woven fabric coated in an anti-viral solution. It's made to be slipped up on the sleeve or shoulder. It's supposed to help keep those "green sleeves" at bay by giving the kids a place to wipe their nose. It's also supposed to provide something to sneeze into so kids don't get germs on their hands.

Again, whatever happened to a tissue? Or, I don't know, washing your hands after you sneeze?

Because I can't think of any adults who walk around with their arms coated in snot - if I do see one, I'll make sure to keep my distance. Kids need to learn at some point to use their tissues and wash their hands. Giving them a crutch now, and a disgusting one at that (who wants to play with the kid whose got a snotty rag hanging off his arm?), and they might be the adult you're giving a wide berth in twenty years!

Image: Cough Cover

Source: Fox News

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They Say: no cold medicine for kids 4 and under

Brett Singer — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:30:00 GMT

Kid has a stuffy nose? Suck it up. Well, not literally. But don't give them over the counter cold medicine. That's the word from the FDA, who are now saying that you shouldn’t give cold meds to any child under 4 years old.

The cough and cold medicine industry, in the wake of intensifying criticism from consumer groups, lawmakers and pediatricians, agreed Tuesday to add "do not use" warnings to pediatric cough and cold medicines.

Taken literally, this would mean that they will sell you the product, but add a label that says not to use it. I know that's not exactly what they mean, but it's funny to think about anyway. It's sort of what cigarette companies have to do, right? They can sell you the cigs, but they have to include a label that says YOU WILL DIE IF YOU SMOKE THESE. Of course, it doesn't say, "do not use." Just that if you DO use them, you'll get emphysema.

The real problem, according to the FDA, is misuse of the meds. "[Parents] should follow very carefully the directions on the package," said Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "The No. 1 cause of problems is children getting into medicine for accidental ingestion."

The American Academy of Pediatrics wanted the FDA to tell people that the meds didn't work for kids aged 6 and under, but the FDA was concerned "that parents would give adult doses if it instituted a ban of products for children under age 6." Well, duh. If I can't give them their own drugs, I'll just cut mine in half.

Now look. I'm being obnoxious here, and I apologize. But as I understand it, no one is saying that over the counter cold medicine is unsafe when the recommended dosages are used. They do seem to be saying that the medicines are ineffective, which I can believe. In my own experience, I have more success treating my old colds with Ginger Tea, Vitamin C and sleep. (Those three things even rhyme, sort of.) The best thing in the world, for me, is acupuncture. Two needles in the right spots on my nose and poof – no more snot. That's not going to work for everyone, and on the rare occasion when I have severe sinus pain, I'll take something stronger (an over the counter sinus pill usually does it for me). Again, this is only my own experience, your mileage may vary, and I'm not a doctor nor have I played one on TV. I don't even watch "Grey's Anatomy." So don't take this as advice.

Bottom line: the FDA says don't give your kids cold medicine if they are under 4 years of age. They would say under 6, but they're afraid that if they did, you'd give them your drugs. Thanks guys.

Source: Chicago Tribune

image: webmd

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Snorting Seawater Kills Colds in Kids. And You.

Karen Murphy — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:52:00 GMT

It's mid-January, and you're surrounded by noses. Red, sniffling, dripping, snotty little noses. Noses that wipe themselves on sleeves. Or, worse, on you. Ew. And with so much germy snot in your vicinity, it's hard to escape the fact that You Will Be Next.

So what to do? According to new research (as well as years of practice supporting this in many cultures), kids who rinsed or sprayed a saline solution (seawater if you can get it) in their noses got over colds quicker, had an easier time with symptoms, and had fewer recurring colds than kids who did not.

A study involving 390 Czech kids age 6-10 had them spraying Atlantic seawater in their noses 3-6 times a day for 12 weeks. Kids who used the spray had fewer symptoms and required fewer medications for fever or other cold symptoms than the kids who did not.

Of course, my first question is, How do you get kids to do this?

I'm all for the Neti pot, but I can't imagine pouring water into my own nose let alone getting my oh-so-sensitive kids to try this (though you would think kids would jump at the chance to snort water from their noses). You should see what it's like when someone has a splinter around here. Seriously, how do you get kids to spray or pour water in their noses? Tranquilizer darts? Duct tape?

Or maybe heavy sedation or cult deprogramming like this woman?

What are your experiences with Neti pots and kids?

Photo: blogs.webmd.com

Abuse of Power or Tips for Disgusted Parents?

Madeline Holler — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:42:00 GMT

Officer, I feel your pain. It's nothing if not criminal battery to have someone smear snot on your shirt. (Incidentally, a Huggies wipe will clean it off in a snap.)

A South Carolina police officer responded to complaints of a woman, behaving quite like some children I know. She was found biting a man at his elbow, and then spit in his face when she was pulled away.

Then the truly egregious act toward officer Elliott:

The complaint said Newman, 36, leaned forward while walking into the police station for booking and wiped her nose on the back of Elliott's shirt.

She was charged with domestic battery and battery on a police officer.

If there's one thing I hate, HATE!, it's when my older daughter leans in for a snuggle but rubs thick, stretchy mucus all over my shoulder instead. I'm totally telling my kids about this. Cuff'em, officer!

Suck Out the Snot: Cold Med Alternatives for Babies

Karen Murphy — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 12:25:00 GMT

By now you've probably heard that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines aimed at kids under two years old have been pulled from shelves. There's still a question as to whether similar medications for kids under 6 will follow suit, but that's another story for another day.

The problem remains, though: what to do when your baby gets a cold now that you won't be dosing her up with Dimetapp?

I have answers, and they're not as ~~weird~~ hard as you might think. In fact, those OTC medications were pretty ineffective against colds, but mine work. Nyah.

1. Don't fear the fever. Fever is the body's natural reaction in fighting off germies. If you quash the fever, you interrupt the body's natural immune system and germ-resistance. Resist the urge to dose for low-grade fevers, and be aware that little kids can have higher fevers that we weakling adults and still feel decent and functional. I usually think about dosing if the fever gets to be around 101 or so, but it largely depends on how my kid feels. Yes, it's scary at first, but remind yourself that it's better. Fevers are your friend. You can ease them with a cool cloth to the forehead, lots of fluids, etc.

2. Speaking of fluids... You want to push fluids in a big way. However you can. Brothy soups, teas, water, juices (without the sugar, please, as that is taxing to the body that's already taxed by sickness), anything you can. Make your own popsicles from 100% juice if you have to.

3. Suck the snot. Remember that nose-sucky-thing* that was sent home with your baby from the hospital? This is a perfect time to use it. You can apply some saline nose drops (or go all nag-champa and use a Neti pot) and then suck away. This one thing will likely do more than anything else. Breathing steam helps, too.

4. But what about the cough? Do familiarize yourself with the difference between a cough-from-a-cold and a cough-that-needs-a-doctor. But for run-of-the-mill coughs, my kids like the homeopathic syrups like Chestal and anything with elderberry in it (bonus those taste good). Check your local health food store for recommendations.

5. And my throat hurts, too! A spoonful of raw honey can work wonders for sore throats: it's anti-microbial and soothes raw throats. Um, and tastes good. If you can get your kids to drink tea (an eyedropper for a baby works well) you can make an herbal blend like Throat Coat or simply some echinacea tea with a little honey and lemon. But NO honey for babies under 12 months.

6. Nurture. Rest, soothing comforting foods like soups, and lots of love can work wonders.

*That's the technical term, but you can call it a "bulb syringe" if you insist.

Oh, and one more thing. I'm a blogger, not a doctor (but you knew that). These things have worked for me, but you know your baby best and know when it's time to see a doctor.