Decongestant for 5 year old

[Littlepurpleprincess]

DS is full of snot and gets glue ear terribly. I've been using Olbas Oil but he's still really bunged up. The only shop open round here tonight is the co-op and they only sell calpol.

I am going to Boots tomorrow, are there any decongestants that a 5 year old can take?

saline nasal spray is suitable. You could try a plug in vaporiser (we use the karvol one). Maybe something like piriton could help to dry up the snot. I dont think you get decongestants for that age group.

Ahh that's a pain. I'll look for A vaporiser tomorrow. He's been refered to hospital 3 times about his ears and they do sod all. I'm getting desperate!

DH used good old fashioned Vicks on dc and worked a treat Despite my scepticism

medicines like medised and calpol night contain ant-histamines that are supposed to help with runny noses but arent supposed to be given to children under the age of 6 (used to have a younger age limit). I have used them for ds (5) when he is full of the cold and snotty and cant sleep but it depends how you feel about using them under the age specified.

I got told by my Gp that if you get one with out paracetamol it is fine for that age group. YOu will need to say that it is for a older child. It just depends if you are happy about doing that.

okay, that's an option then if I can't find anything else. Out of interest, why did they raise the age to 6?

Vicks in bowl of boiling water in the room to let off steam?

When DD was small, Medised was sold for use from three months up. It is VERY important that you don't give paracetamol with it as it contains it already and there is a huge risk of overdose. If you do get some, it only gives the dosage for six years and up which starts at 10 ml. I have checked that the concentration of ingredients is the same is in the older bottles and if you decide to use it, the dosage that used to be listed from 2 years old to 5 years old is from 5-10ml. I give my 5 year old about 7.5ml for a really bad cold or 5ml if not quite so snotty as she's pretty skinny. It does help with snottiness. It also makes children pretty sleepy so can help them get a proper night's sleep when ill.

Having said that, part of the reason that it was decided not to sell it for younger children is that there is apparently no evidence that it actually works. I find that it does work for my DD but perhaps that's not always true for all children. There are also some very rare and unpleasant side effects, I think. If I were you, I would research the side effects myself first and decide if you want to take the risk.

What I really miss is Tixylix Cough and Cold which was a bloody miracle worker for coughing and being bunged up but that doesn't seem to be available at all now for any age.

Thankyou for the advice. Last night I gave him some calpol and covered his chest and back in Vickes. Then I dotted some Olbas oil on the corner of his bed. He slept very well but tbh he is just as bunged up this morning.

I'm going to phone the doc today and ask his advice. I know it's only a cold but it has such an affect on his ears, I know he won't be able to hear for weeks if I don't nip it in the bud. That affects his school work and his behaviour. Not to mention he can't breathe. It seems so unfair. If I feel like that I have a Lemsip but he has to just put up with it!

[overprotective mother]