What You Should Know About Infant Decongestant
When a baby is congested it is common for parents to turn to infant decongestant cold medicines, but it is important to remember that these medications might help with the symptoms, but they will not cure the illness. For this reason parents should only consider using these medications if they are actually helping the child to be more comfortable, and there are not a lot of side effects to worry about.
It is best not to give your baby infant decongestant unless advised to do so by your child’s pediatrician. If you are giving your child an over the counter decongestant and your child’s symptoms have not improved within a few days, or if they get worse, you will want to take your child to see a doctor.
FDA Warning Against Infant Decongestant
The FDA issued a warning against infant decongestant. Studies have shown that these cold medicines can pose a health risk to children that are less than 2 years old, plus the relief these medicines provide isn’t enough to justify the risks.
According to the FDA these cold medicines do come with the risk of side effects, but it is also stated that most of the risks are associated with children that are given more than the recommended dose. Additional risk factors include infant decongestants that are administered too often, or if more than one type of cold medicine is being used at the same time. Today, you will find that infant decongestant and other children’s cold medicines will come with a warning that they should not be given to children under 4 years of age.
Children’s Cold Medicines and Infant Decongestant
There are a variety of different cold medicines and not all of them will do the same thing. For example, there are cough suppressants that will help to relieve the child’s urge to cough; these medicines contain codeine and hydrocodone. Due to the fact that most coughs are the result of a nasal drip, if you use this type of cold medicine you will also want to use a decongestant. This type of cold medicine is not recommended for young children, especially in combination with other cold medicines.
An infant decongestant will help to relieve a stuffy or runny nose. Due to the ingredients that are in decongestants, this medicine can cause a child to be hyperactive or to become very irritable. If a congestion problem is not causing a child too much discomfort, it is probably better to avoid decongestants.
If an infant displays symptoms of wheezing and chest congestion, an infant decongestant is probably not going to be the best choice for treatment of the child’s symptoms. Due to the fact that chest congestion can lead to secondary lung infections, it is best to schedule an appointment with your baby’s doctor to have him or her evaluated. The doctor will then recommend the best course of treatment, and will be able to advise if an infant decongestant is the right way to treat your baby’s symptoms.
If congestion is accompanied with a high fever or your baby is having difficulty breathing, it is best to take the child into an emergency room. This is especially true if they have a blue tinge to the lips, as this indicates that the child is not getting enough oxygen.
Remember, don’t give a baby infant decongestant unless specifically instructed to do so by the child’s pediatrician, and if symptoms persist, schedule a doctor appointment as soon as possible.