Health Tip: When Your Child Has a Cold

When your child is miserable with a cold, there are things you can do to help the youngster feel better.

The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions:

• Use saltwater nose drops or saline nasal spray to ease nasal congestion.
• Run a cool-mist humidifier to increase moisture in the air.
• If your child's nose is raw and sore from wiping the nose, apply a dab of petroleum jelly.
• Children older than age 3 may have hard candy or cough drops to help tame a sore throat.
• Use a heating pad or a warm bath to comfort aches and pains.
• Put your child in a steamy bathroom to help ease breathing.