Salt Water Nasal Drops Can Cut Duration of Cold in Children by 2 Days, Says Study

Children are usually susceptible to cold. Even a slight breeze can aggravate their symptoms. While treatments like paracetamol and ibuprofen are typically used, recovery usually takes about six to seven days.

However, scientists have recently identified a new, effective medicine that can rapidly relieve cold symptoms in children and is also being called the most affordable option available.

According to a report by the New York Post, researchers at the University of Edinburgh in UK, have found that hypertonic saline nasal drops can speed up recovery from cold in children compared to other medications.

Administering these saline drops can shorten the duration of a cold in children by up to two days. Additionally, they help reduce the risk of spreading the illness to others. Saline drops are considered very safe as they are composed of only salt and water.

Professor Steve Cunningham from the University of Edinburgh said, “In a year, children suffer from upper respiratory tract infections, known as the common cold, atleast 10 times. These infections can have a severe impact on children.”

Currently, there is no treatment that can rapidly cure colds. “Children using saline nasal drops had cold symptoms for an average of six days while those with other treatments had symptoms for eight days. Also, the children using saline nasal drops required fewer medicines during their illness,” Cunningham added.

According to the professor, saline nasal drops help reduce swelling inside the nose and clear the respiratory tract. These drops work by opening blocked nasal passages and thinning mucus, making it easier for children to breathe.

They also help in reducing respiratory infections. Researchers claim that hypertonic saline nasal drops are the most cost-effective treatment for colds. This study will be presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Vienna, Austria.