Toddler steaming: 9 methods of congestion relief in toddlers including home remedies
9 methods of congestion relief in toddlers including home remedies
A few simple home remedies, such as using a humidifier, can provide congestion relief for toddlers. In most cases, the common cold causes congestion, but other causes include allergies.
Colds can be a miserable experience for toddlers, and unfortunately, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colds are common in young children. Because colds are viruses, antibiotics do not have any effect. In most cases, colds eventually go away on their own.
In this article, we discuss nine ways to treat congestions in toddlers, causes of congestion, and when to see a doctor.
Share on PinterestInhaling steam, using a humidifier, and drinking fluids are home remedies that may provide congestion relief for toddlers.
There is a range of home remedies that can provide congestion relief for toddlers:
1. Steam inhalation
A warm, steamy room can help loosen thick mucus and make it easier for a child to breathe. Try giving a child a warm bath before bed. Then take the child out of the tub, turn the shower up to its hottest setting, and close the door.
Allow the steam to fill the room while sitting with the child. The room should not be so hot that breathing is difficult.
2. Humidifier
A humidifier, especially a cool mist one, keeps the air moist. This can help ease a dry cough and may reduce congestion, particularly at night. Try putting a humidifier in the child’s room.
Make sure the child is not alone with the humidifier and does not treat it as a toy. Keep the humidifier clean, since mold can easily grow in wet spaces.
3. Bulb suction
Very young children may struggle more with congestion because they cannot clear their nose. Try using a bulb suction device to gently clear the child’s nose. If the child resists or says suctioning hurts, try another treatment.
4. Saline nasal sprays
Saline nasal sprays can help soothe an irritated nose.
They may also help loosen up thick mucus. Most stores sell over-the-counter (OTC) solutions. Parents can also make their own by combining half a teaspoon of table salt with 1 cup of warm water.
Gently spray into the child’s nose, or show the child how to do it themselves. For more relief, try spraying the nose and then suctioning the nose with a bulb syringe. Parents may also find that saline nasal sprays offer more relief after a child spends time in a steamy room.
5. Chicken soup
Chicken soup is more than just a folk remedy. It may ease congestion by reducing inflammation. Some research suggested that chicken soup may ease inflammation in the upper respiratory tract, which could alleviate cold congestion symptoms.
Additionally, chicken soup can help a child remain hydrated and encourage them to keep eating when they do not feel well.
6. OTC pain relievers
OTC pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, will not relieve congestion, but they may help with other symptoms, such as congestion-related pain in the face, or a fever.
Ask a doctor before using these medications in very young children.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), in most cases, ibuprofen is safe for children over 6 months, and acetaminophen is safe for children of all ages. Aspirin is not safe for children.
Parents should choose a formula for children and follow the weight-based dosing instructions. If a child younger than 3 months old has a fever, call a pediatrician.
7. Plenty of fluids
Water and other fluids may help thin out mucus, making it easier for a child to cough it up. Fluids can also help prevent dehydration if a child has a fever.
Offer a child plenty of water when they are sick. Toddlers may be more willing to drink from a cup that features characters they like or from a silly straw.
8. Changing sleeping position
Congestion often worsens at night. One reason is that the sinuses cannot drain as easily when a person is lying down. Some children may also feel thirsty at night if they are congested and sleep with their mouths open.
Children may prefer sleeping with their heads elevated on a few pillows to ease the symptoms of congestion. Other children may enjoy sleeping in an even more upright position in a recliner.
9. Keeping the air clean
Parents who smoke should not smoke around children, and should not take the child to visit places where there may be smoke.
Although harder to control, air pollution can have a significant impact on children’s health. According to the American Lung Association, children living in areas with cleaner air display fewer respiratory symptoms, such as phlegm, congestion, and coughing.
Parents should not give toddlers OTC decongestants.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advise against using decongestants in children under the age of 2 and recommend not using decongestants containing codeine or hydrocodone in anyone under 18.
The AAP emphasize that decongestants offer little or no benefit to children under the age of 4 and may have serious side effects.
Several studies of decongestants in toddlers and young children have found that these drugs offer no more relief than a placebo.
Antibiotics cannot cure a common cold but may help with other infections that can cause congestion, such as a sinus infection. However, sinus infections that require antibiotic treatment are rare in toddlers.
Colds in toddlers may improve in a few days, with congestion lasting longer. If a child’s symptoms worsen, they develop a fever, or their congestion does not improve, see a doctor for treatment.
Sometimes, a person may be unable to tell the difference between colds and other illnesses. Most infections that cause cold-like symptoms are contagious, so parents or caregivers should practice frequent handwashing and other hygiene measures to control the spread of all infections.
Some other potential causes of congestion include:
- Allergies: Allergies may also cause itchy, watery eyes, and do not usually cause a fever.
- Flu: The flu causes cold-like symptoms, though the symptoms tend to be more severe, and a child may be very sick for many days.
- Bacterial infections: A bacterial sinus infection can cause congestion; this could happen after a cold.
- Structural abnormalities: Sometimes, a child has a problem with the structure of their respiratory system. They might have a deviated septum or enlarged adenoids. Children who always seem congested should see a doctor.
Learn more about how cold symptoms present in toddlers here.
See a doctor if:
- A child seems very sick or does not get better within a few days with home remedies.
- A child has a very high fever.
- A child appears lethargic or confused.
- A baby younger than 3 months has a fever.
Most colds go away on their own within 7–10 days, though some symptoms may linger longer than this. If the infection does not go away, see a doctor as the toddler may have an allergy or a bacterial infection, such as a sinus infection.
The best way to prevent colds and most other illnesses is with diligent hygiene. This is difficult for toddlers, especially in daycare settings, where they have close contact with other children. Some strategies to prevent the spread of colds include:
- Practicing regular handwashing before meals and after using the bathroom. Make handwashing a fun ritual.
- Not sending a child who is unwell to school or daycare and not allowing people to visit who are sick.
- Teaching children to cover their cough by coughing into an elbow.
- Disinfecting frequently used surfaces, such as doorknobs, countertops, sink handles, and toilet flushers.
The average toddler gets a lot of colds — as many as 8–10 per year before they turn 2 years old. Parents can experiment with home remedies until they find something that works and that a child is willing to try. Consult a pediatrician for more advice about home remedies that may ease the specific symptoms a child gets.
9 methods of congestion relief in toddlers including home remedies
A few simple home remedies, such as using a humidifier, can provide congestion relief for toddlers. In most cases, the common cold causes congestion, but other causes include allergies.
Colds can be a miserable experience for toddlers, and unfortunately, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colds are common in young children. Because colds are viruses, antibiotics do not have any effect. In most cases, colds eventually go away on their own.
In this article, we discuss nine ways to treat congestions in toddlers, causes of congestion, and when to see a doctor.
Share on PinterestInhaling steam, using a humidifier, and drinking fluids are home remedies that may provide congestion relief for toddlers.
There is a range of home remedies that can provide congestion relief for toddlers:
1. Steam inhalation
A warm, steamy room can help loosen thick mucus and make it easier for a child to breathe.
Try giving a child a warm bath before bed. Then take the child out of the tub, turn the shower up to its hottest setting, and close the door.
Allow the steam to fill the room while sitting with the child. The room should not be so hot that breathing is difficult.
2. Humidifier
A humidifier, especially a cool mist one, keeps the air moist. This can help ease a dry cough and may reduce congestion, particularly at night. Try putting a humidifier in the child’s room.
Make sure the child is not alone with the humidifier and does not treat it as a toy. Keep the humidifier clean, since mold can easily grow in wet spaces.
3. Bulb suction
Very young children may struggle more with congestion because they cannot clear their nose. Try using a bulb suction device to gently clear the child’s nose. If the child resists or says suctioning hurts, try another treatment.
4. Saline nasal sprays
Saline nasal sprays can help soothe an irritated nose.
They may also help loosen up thick mucus. Most stores sell over-the-counter (OTC) solutions. Parents can also make their own by combining half a teaspoon of table salt with 1 cup of warm water.
Gently spray into the child’s nose, or show the child how to do it themselves. For more relief, try spraying the nose and then suctioning the nose with a bulb syringe. Parents may also find that saline nasal sprays offer more relief after a child spends time in a steamy room.
5. Chicken soup
Chicken soup is more than just a folk remedy. It may ease congestion by reducing inflammation. Some research suggested that chicken soup may ease inflammation in the upper respiratory tract, which could alleviate cold congestion symptoms.
Additionally, chicken soup can help a child remain hydrated and encourage them to keep eating when they do not feel well.
6. OTC pain relievers
OTC pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, will not relieve congestion, but they may help with other symptoms, such as congestion-related pain in the face, or a fever.
Ask a doctor before using these medications in very young children.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), in most cases, ibuprofen is safe for children over 6 months, and acetaminophen is safe for children of all ages. Aspirin is not safe for children.
Parents should choose a formula for children and follow the weight-based dosing instructions. If a child younger than 3 months old has a fever, call a pediatrician.
7. Plenty of fluids
Water and other fluids may help thin out mucus, making it easier for a child to cough it up. Fluids can also help prevent dehydration if a child has a fever.
Offer a child plenty of water when they are sick. Toddlers may be more willing to drink from a cup that features characters they like or from a silly straw.
8. Changing sleeping position
Congestion often worsens at night. One reason is that the sinuses cannot drain as easily when a person is lying down. Some children may also feel thirsty at night if they are congested and sleep with their mouths open.
Children may prefer sleeping with their heads elevated on a few pillows to ease the symptoms of congestion. Other children may enjoy sleeping in an even more upright position in a recliner.
9. Keeping the air clean
Parents who smoke should not smoke around children, and should not take the child to visit places where there may be smoke.
Although harder to control, air pollution can have a significant impact on children’s health. According to the American Lung Association, children living in areas with cleaner air display fewer respiratory symptoms, such as phlegm, congestion, and coughing.
Parents should not give toddlers OTC decongestants.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advise against using decongestants in children under the age of 2 and recommend not using decongestants containing codeine or hydrocodone in anyone under 18.
The AAP emphasize that decongestants offer little or no benefit to children under the age of 4 and may have serious side effects.
Several studies of decongestants in toddlers and young children have found that these drugs offer no more relief than a placebo.
Antibiotics cannot cure a common cold but may help with other infections that can cause congestion, such as a sinus infection. However, sinus infections that require antibiotic treatment are rare in toddlers.
Colds in toddlers may improve in a few days, with congestion lasting longer. If a child’s symptoms worsen, they develop a fever, or their congestion does not improve, see a doctor for treatment.
Sometimes, a person may be unable to tell the difference between colds and other illnesses. Most infections that cause cold-like symptoms are contagious, so parents or caregivers should practice frequent handwashing and other hygiene measures to control the spread of all infections.
Some other potential causes of congestion include:
- Allergies: Allergies may also cause itchy, watery eyes, and do not usually cause a fever.
- Flu: The flu causes cold-like symptoms, though the symptoms tend to be more severe, and a child may be very sick for many days.
- Bacterial infections: A bacterial sinus infection can cause congestion; this could happen after a cold.
- Structural abnormalities: Sometimes, a child has a problem with the structure of their respiratory system. They might have a deviated septum or enlarged adenoids. Children who always seem congested should see a doctor.
Learn more about how cold symptoms present in toddlers here.
See a doctor if:
- A child seems very sick or does not get better within a few days with home remedies.
- A child has a very high fever.
- A child appears lethargic or confused.
- A baby younger than 3 months has a fever.
Most colds go away on their own within 7–10 days, though some symptoms may linger longer than this. If the infection does not go away, see a doctor as the toddler may have an allergy or a bacterial infection, such as a sinus infection.
The best way to prevent colds and most other illnesses is with diligent hygiene. This is difficult for toddlers, especially in daycare settings, where they have close contact with other children. Some strategies to prevent the spread of colds include:
- Practicing regular handwashing before meals and after using the bathroom. Make handwashing a fun ritual.
- Not sending a child who is unwell to school or daycare and not allowing people to visit who are sick.
- Teaching children to cover their cough by coughing into an elbow.
- Disinfecting frequently used surfaces, such as doorknobs, countertops, sink handles, and toilet flushers.
The average toddler gets a lot of colds — as many as 8–10 per year before they turn 2 years old. Parents can experiment with home remedies until they find something that works and that a child is willing to try. Consult a pediatrician for more advice about home remedies that may ease the specific symptoms a child gets.
why the popular intimate area procedure is unsafe
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May 24, 2021
read 5-7 minutes
Vaginal steaming, or yoni steaming, is an alternative ancient Korean women’s health procedure that Gwyneth Paltrow regularly does (not on her own, but at the spa), and someone even repeats it at home. Some believe that with the help of herbs (wormwood, rosemary and basil) it is possible to cure diseases of the reproductive organs, reduce menstrual pain and simply remove an unpleasant odor. However, vaginal steaming is not at all a safe procedure. The doctors explained to us why you can’t do it yourself by repeating video tutorials from TikTok.
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Evgenia Nazimova, chief physician of the Clinic of Dr. Nazimova and medical trainer of Basis Genomic Group, gynecologist-endocrinologist of the highest category, expert of the International Healthy Lifestyle and Sports Festival SN PRO EXPO FORUM:
Proponents of vaginal steam baths claim that they have a miraculous effect: they can cleanse the vagina, relieve pain and spasm, and even restore hormonal levels.
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However, when a woman has no problems with the pelvic floor (descent of the walls of the vagina, insufficiency of the muscles of the pelvic floor, etc.), the entrance to the vagina is always in a closed state.If you just sit down over a source of steam, then particles of steam can only get to the vulva area. That is, in the best case, there will be an expansion of the vessels of the skin of the vulva and a slight increase in blood flow in this area.
A much more pronounced effect in this area can be achieved with the help of exercises for the pelvic floor, since during training there is a significant increase in blood circulation in all organs of the small pelvis and muscle strengthening. It is important to understand that if there are inflammatory or tumor processes in the vulva (which a woman may not know about), heating can provoke their significant activation.
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In addition, if the temperature of the steam is too high, the sensitive skin and mucous membrane of the vulva can easily be burned.
It is advisable to use essential oils for steam baths with caution – allergic reactions are not excluded. It is also not possible to influence the normalization of the hormonal background by acting on the genital area, since hormones are not produced in principle in the vulva area. As for cleanliness, there are special products for caring for the vulva area that effectively cope with this task without the use of complex procedures.
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The fact is that the tissues in this area are almost never exposed to external influences, being securely hidden by underwear.
And a healthy vagina, in principle, does not need any cleansing procedures, the normal microflora is quite capable of coping on its own. But, if the procedure gives a woman pleasure, then with all the precautions, this is quite capable of helping in the fight against chronic stress. And all diseases, as you know, are from nerves.
Yakunina Larisa Sergeevna, reproductive specialist, obstetrician-gynecologist, specialist in ultrasound diagnostics, specialist in infertility and miscarriage, MAK ECO clinic:
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The procedure is unsafe, there are contraindications:
- bleeding or disposition to them
- body temperature above 38 degrees
- intolerance to drugs or herbs prescribed for procedures
- malignant or benign formations or suspicion of their existence
- pelvic endometriosis
- inflammation of the vagina
- bacterial carrier (ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, chlamydia, etc.
- virus carrier in the acute stage. It has a positive effect in diseases of the pelvic organs of an atrophic nature of the vulva
) You should definitely visit a gynecologist and take swabs for infections, perform an ultrasound scan and colposcopy before these procedures.
Kikina Yuliya Alekseevna, obstetrician-gynecologist, GMS IVF reproductologist, ultrasound specialist:
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Vaginal steaming is not safe. This can cause burns and cause bleeding. As for eliminating the smell, it’s also unlikely. It is most likely that this procedure will cause dysbacteriosis, which will be accompanied by discharge, smell and itching. You don’t need to do such procedures and risk your health, if you have health problems, you need to go to the doctor in person. Especially with serious diseases and infertility.
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Obstetrician-gynecologist
Ultrasound doctor
Gynecologist
ReproductologistSource PeopleTalk
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articleBronchitis in infants: symptoms of bronchitis, treatment
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Bronchitis is a fairly common disease in infants and often frightens parents. Indeed, the picture is terrible: the baby is breathing heavily, coughing with a whistle. And if the temperature also rises … It is very important to start treatment on time so that bronchitis is not complicated by pneumonia. Fortunately, now medicine is at such a level that it is not difficult to obtain an effective medicine for bronchitis for babies. nine0003
The process of developing bronchitis in infants begins with infection, toxins or allergens entering the respiratory tract, which damage the bronchial epithelium, which causes swelling, spasm and respiratory failure. And then the symptoms of the onset of the disease become apparent:
after a while cough is complicated by shortness of breath and noisy wheezing listening for moist rales on both sides of the chest body temperature may rise Treatment of bronchitis
When a disease occurs, a reasonable question immediately arises for parents: what and how to treat?
The main directions in the treatment of bronchitis in infants are as follows:
- Active control of infectious manifestations.
- Removal of puffiness in the respiratory tract.
- Removal of sputum from the respiratory system.
- Relief of a child from dry cough. nine0035
Immediately it is necessary to specify the condition for the treatment of bronchitis in children under the age of 1 year: only a doctor should treat such small children! The fact is that in such patients all inflammatory processes proceed several times faster than in older children and possibly irreparable. Bronchitis is treated at home when a doctor prescribes ways and means to get rid of the disease.
Personal video greetings from Santa Claus:
An important point in the treatment of the disease is the full course of treatment prescribed by the doctor. Otherwise, bronchitis will become chronic, and this is a more serious problem. In severe cases of bronchitis, treatment is carried out with antibiotics, as there is a threat of pneumonia. nine0003
It is recommended during the course of the disease a strict fortified milk-and-vegetable diet and, necessarily, a warm, plentiful drink (fruit drink, tea, rosehip broth, hot milk with honey, etc.
Treatment of bronchitis in infants with folk remedies
In combination with drug therapy and for a speedy recovery, various proven traditional medicines can be recommended. In the absence of temperature, it is very useful to carry out the following procedures:
- Steaming . Hot foot baths just before bedtime (for babies, the best option is general hot baths) with the addition of herbal infusions that have an anti-inflammatory effect. These herbs include: sage, chamomile, St. John’s wort, mint). You can add 2 tablespoons of menthol inhalation solution to the bath – the baby is simultaneously steamed and inhaled. Taking a bath – no more than 15 minutes at a water temperature of at least 37-39 degrees.
- Use of mustard plasters . You can use ready-made mustard plasters sold in pharmacies. They are placed on the back and chest of the child. Often, for infants, the so-called mustard wrap is done. To do this, mix 1 tablespoon of mustard with half a liter of water, moisten a piece of cloth in this solution, wring out and wrap the baby, cover with a blanket for 5-12 minutes.
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