Cautions About Cold Medicine and Kids

These days, there are plenty of over-the-counter remedies that promise to ease your child's symptoms. But before you reach for a bottle of children's pain reliever or cold medicine, here are a few things to think about.The first is that while over-the-counter medications can make your child feel better, they don't actually help them get better. And cold remedies make some kids irritable or nervous, which can make it hard for them to sleep. So if your child has a low fever and a drippy nose but seems fine otherwise, there's probably no need to run to the medicine cabinet. In addition, you should never give children under 2 over-the-counter drugs without consulting your doctor first. Also, never give aspirin to kids under 16. It can cause a rare but dangerous condition called Reye's syndrome. And if your child is taking a prescription drug, check with their doctor before giving them an over-the-counter medication.