Influenza In Children: Do Not Use Vaporub In Children Under 2 Years

You may have a jar of Vicks VapoRub on your bedside table that you have purchased abroad or online. Or maybe your parents or grandparents put it on your chest to relieve the flu. However, it should not be used on children under 2 years of age.

Its uses are universally known. However, its use is not limited to the common cold. It can also be used for other purposes, such as mosquito repellent.

It seems logical that some parents think it will also help their babies breathe better. After all, it is an ointment that in many countries has been used from generation to generation.

Despite this, health professionals warn that using Vicks VapoRub on children under 2 years of age can trigger more problems than it solves.

Unlike children over 5 years and adults, the airways of children under 2 years are much narrower. Because of this, they become inflamed when the child inhales VapoRub or similar products.

When this happens, it produces a greater amount of secretions. Then their ability to breathe gets worse.

There are also specialists who warn that some children under the age of 2 may have difficulty breathing due to the use of VapoRub even when they are not ill. Because of this, they recommend that parents follow the instructions written on the container. The label specifies that it should not be used under or in the nostrils.

In the same way, the label on VapoRub recommends that you talk to a doctor before using it on children under 3 years or pregnant women.

If your child shows symptoms of cough or flu, we recommend the following natural remedies.

Clean the baby’s nose with a saline solution

The first and most important when your child has a cold , is to make sure that their nasal cavities remain open.

To do this you can use a saline solution or sterilized seawater. Then suck up the mucus with a specialized mucus vacuum for children.

This will help them breathe better, even if it is a little uncomfortable at first.

Hydration and saline solutions

To soothe a cough, the best thing you can do for your child is to help it get rid of secretions. To do this, your child must be hydrated.

In this way, the child will have less mucous secretions. In addition, the inflammation will go down. Because of this, the child needs to drink enough fluids.

• Saline solutions are recommended because of their ability to provide your child with electrolytes and essential minerals.
• This will stimulate their organs, muscles and nerves so that they continue to function properly.

Ventilate your house

The environment plays an important role in the health of younger children.

A humid environment with dust and even pet hair can cause allergies. This can be both on the skin and in the throat and nose.

It is very important to keep the house clean and sanitary.

Sometimes people choose to use humidifiers that clean the environment and make it more humid when you have a dry cough. If you have any other type of cough, they are not recommended.

If you use a humidifier, we recommend that you clean it daily. In addition, do not use it too much, so that you prevent mold growth on the walls.

Rest is important for children under 2 years

Remember that it is important for children to rest when they are sick. This is because their body needs to be relaxed to heal quickly.

When they are babies, the amount of sleep they need will be greater.

For example, a newborn must sleep an average of 16 hours, spread throughout the day.
In the same way, a child of 2 years needs approx. 12 hours of sleep at night and a few extra hours with a daily nap.

Talk to a pediatrician

Sometimes the cough or flu passes. Daily home remedies along with a healthy diet are enough to help your child recover quickly from the disease.

However, you need to see a pediatrician if your child’s health gets worse. Only healthcare professionals have the right criteria for diagnosing a disease and prescribing certain medications.

What symptoms should make you consider seeing a pediatrician?

• If the cough is accompanied by fatigue and a lot of difficulty breathing.
• When you hear strange, sharp sounds – like scraping – when they inhale air.
• If the cough lasts for more than 2 or 3 weeks.
• If they have a fever.
• When you see changes in the color of the lips and face (if they look blue).