Two-Ingredient Drops Reduce Duration of Colds, Study Shows
A recent study suggests that homemade saline nasal drops can help decrease the length of colds in children by two days. The research, presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Vienna, proposes that these drops not only expedite recovery but also lower the risk of spreading the virus within the family. Here are some key findings from the study:
* **Reduction in Cold Symptoms:** Children using salt-water nose drops had cold symptoms for an average of six days, compared to eight days for those receiving standard care.
* **Fewer Medications:** Kids who used the saline drops required fewer medications during their illness.
* **DIY Solution:** The study used a 2.6% salt water concentration, which parents need to create at home as it’s not currently available over-the-counter.
* **Household Impact:** Families using the drops reported a lower incidence of other members catching a cold (46% vs. 61% for usual care).
* **Positive Feedback:** 82% of parents noted that the nose drops helped their child recover faster, and 81% expressed willingness to use them in the future.
Professor Steve Cunningham from the University of Edinburgh, the study’s lead, explains how the additional chloride in the salt helps boost the production of hypochlorous acid in cells, which can aid in virus suppression and symptom reduction. The research involved 407 children up to the age of six, participating in the ELVIS-Kids randomized controlled trial.
Dr. Matthew Siggins, a research fellow at Imperial College London, commented on the study, noting a moderate success in symptom reduction with the use of saline drops. While vaccines remain the primary method for preventing the spread of infections, the results underscore the potential of saline drops in mitigating the duration and transmission of colds within households.
The study has implications for empowering parents to take a proactive role in managing their children’s cold symptoms. By exploring simple and cost-effective solutions like saline nasal drops, households may experience faster recovery times and reduced overall impact from colds. As further research is conducted in this area, there is potential for the development of more targeted and effective treatments to alleviate the burden of common illnesses such as the common cold.