Remedies For A Winter Cold

Winter colds are a common occurrence at this time of the year.

Firstly, it’s important to stress that children usually bounce back from a cold relatively quickly, and can be cared for at home.

With that being said, it’s best to be watchful for any of the following symptoms:

an increase in body temperature (37.5°C or higher)
blotchy or rashy skin
cold hands or feet
difficulty breathing
signs of dehydration (like passing less urine)

Otherwise, treating a cold is mostly about keeping your child comfortable and hydrated. Ibuprofen and paracetamol can help, and drinking lots of fluids will avoid any danger of dehydration.

Whilst nearly every family I’ve met has their own theories about how best to treat a cold, most non-medical solutions have little to no evidence of being effective. That includes garlic, extra vitamin C, humidifiers and antibiotics.

Dr Yiannis’ tip: Intriguingly, one of the few “home remedies” that has been shown to work is a spoonful of honey before bed, which can help to alleviate a cough. But don’t use this if your child is under 1 year old.

Read more about managing winter illness here.