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You can reduce duration of cold in children by 2 days for under $2, claims pharmacist Credits: Social Media
By Chaitra Krishnamurthy

You can reduce duration of cold in children by 2 days for under $2, claims pharmacist

By Chaitra Krishnamurthy

Cold is one of the most annoying infections although it isn’t life-threatening. So, we always look for a quick and easiest remedy, especially when it affects children.

Summer is officially over. As we enter fall and the temperature drops, common cold is more common. The condition is also more contagious as people choose to stay indoors in close proximity to each other.

Boy get cold and blow her nose at home.
Credit: Vera Livchak | Getty Images

Pharmacist shares effective remedy for cold

You must be aware of plenty of ways to reduce the intensity and symptoms of a cold, but did you know there’s a way to cure it faster than usual?

Typically, a cold lasts anywhere between a week to 10 days. But licensed pharmacist Raj Patel has shared a “simple and effective” remedy in one of his TikTok videos, claiming to reduce a cold by “two days”.

Raj references a study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria, which suggests that simple saline nasal drops can reduce the length of the common cold in children by 2 days.

The study further claims that giving children saline drops results in fewer members of the family catching the contagious infection.

“Reducing the duration of colds in children means that fewer people in their house also get a cold, with clear implications for how quickly a household feels better and can return to their usual activities like school and work, etc.,” says Steve Cunningham, the lead author of the study.

Children who used salt-water nose drops had cold symptoms that lasted for six days, while those who used the usual care experienced it for an additional two days.

@therajrpatel

Scientists have discovered a simple and effective remedy for reducing the duration of colds in children – saline nasal drops. *Here are the key findings: Study Results Using saline nasal drops cut the duration of colds in children by an average of 2 days. Children using the drops had cold symptoms for about 6 days, compared to 8 days with usual care. The drops also reduced transmission to other family members – 46% of households reported spread with drops vs 61% with usual care. How It Works The salt solution provides extra chloride to cells lining the nose and airways. This helps the cells produce more hypochlorous acid, which suppresses viral replication. As a result, the viral infection is shortened, reducing symptom duration. **Usage and Availability Parents can safely make and administer the drops at home. The recommended dosage is 3 drops per nostril at least 4 times daily until recovery. **Over-the-counter saline drops are available for as little as £1.30, with branded options around £4.70. **Additional Benefits Children using the drops needed fewer other medicines during illness. 82% of parents said the drops helped their child recover faster. 81% said they would use the drops for future colds. This simple, inexpensive remedy offers parents an effective way to shorten their children’s colds and reduce spread within households. The researchers plan to release instructions soon for parents to make the solution at home. Here are some key questions people commonly search about a cold: how to stop a cold fast what are the first signs of a cold how long does a cold last best home remedies for a cold what is the best medicine for a cold how to prevent a cold from spreading how to relieve a stuffy nose from a cold what foods help get rid of a cold can exercise help get rid of a cold how to cure a cold naturally #coldremedies #beatthecold #HealthyLiving #ColdSeason #HomeRemedies #StayHealthy #ColdCure #SickDay #NaturalRemedies #FightTheFlu #flu #sneeze #cough #shivering #fever #influenza #virus #fyp

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It costs less than $2

The study notes that using three drops on each side of the nose, four times daily cures the cold faster.

If you plan to obtain saline drops over the counter, they are available for as little as $1.70, while branded options cost $6.15, as the pharmacist writes in his video caption.

If the cold symptoms do not reduce after administering the above remedy, we recommend getting your child checked with a doctor.