A child's cold affects the whole family.
A study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria, has revealed groundbreaking findings that could change the way children are treated for colds. Hypertonic saline nasal drops (a saline solution made from purified salt, distilled water, and other ingredients) can reduce the duration of colds in children.
Professor Steve Cunningham from the Centre for Child Health and Wellbeing, University of Edinburgh (UK) - who led the research said that this medicine has simple ingredients, is affordable and effective in quickly reducing cold symptoms. Because children often suffer from colds, this nasal drop will help relieve pain and make the recovery process faster and easier.
Researchers explain that children are prone to catching colds. It not only affects the child but also affects the health of the whole family.
Cold symptoms can spread, causing other family members to become ill too. Although there are medications available such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, there is no treatment that can shorten the duration of a cold.
With a longer recovery time, other family members, especially those caring for the sick child, are more likely to catch a cold from the child.
Putting salt water in your nose helps relieve colds faster
Research shows that saline nasal drops reduce cold symptoms and recovery from a cold takes place within 6 days, while with conventional treatment, symptoms last up to 8 days. Thus, saline nasal drops will shorten recovery time by 2 days.
In this way, the transmission of infectious symptoms within the family is limited. Children who have saline nose drops need less medication.
How do nasal drops work?
Salt is made up of sodium and chloride, says Professor Cunnigham. Chloride is used by cells lining the nose and windpipe to produce hypochlorous acid inside the cells, which they use to fight viral infections.
By supplying more chloride to the lining cells, this helps the cells produce more hypochlorous acid, which helps prevent viral replication, shortening the duration of viral infection and therefore shortening the duration of symptoms from a cold.
Salt water also stimulates the body's natural defenses. This is why salt water is used as a gargle for sore throats and is part of some South Asian folk remedies.
