Aromatic patches for children: to use or not?

How to help a toddler with a runny nose? What are aromatic patches for children and is it worth reaching for them in such a situation? Or such slices are suitable for use for a runny nose for babies? Whether and what side effects may be related to use aromatic slices in the youngest children? What are the opinion parents and specialists about this kind of products? Please read the text below to clear any doubts. 

We all know the funny saying that a runny nose treated takes seven days, and an untreated one week. It is less fun when this runny nose affects our young child, especially the infant.

A runny nose in an infant: a small child, a big problem

The little one is then tearful, irritable, has trouble sleeping because he cannot breathe freely. He also has trouble eating because he has to take breaks every now and then to get some air. Normal activities, previously performed automatically, become a big problem. The nights become a nightmare - the child is awake, the parents are not asleep. It is therefore in the interest of all household members not to allow the infection to develop into a more serious disease and to help the baby as effectively as possible. But how to do it?

A toddler who can walk is a little easier to care for in the event of a runny nose. When walking or sitting, the secretions run off the nose spontaneously, which at least partially makes things easier. The youngest children suffer the most and helping them requires our greatest commitment.

What about a runny nose for an infant and a toddler?

Here are a few simple and proven ways on how to help a toddler with a runny nose:

• Let's take care of adequate air humidity in the room. Too dry air will additionally irritate the baby's nose. If we don't have an air humidifier, let's put wet towels on the radiator.
• Let us apply sea ​​water and saline to thin the mucus in the nose and will allow it to be removed more easily with a cotton pad or a handkerchief.
• During the day let's put the baby on its tummy - the mucus will then drain off by itself. If we have the baby in sight all the time, we can arrange it so that its head is slightly higher than the rest of the body.
• Suck up the secretion, previously diluted with saline, using an aspirator. This will bring your little one a lot of relief.
• For children over six months of age, they are available warming ointments, after using which we can lightly pat the baby's back.
• The method recommended by older generations is inhalations - e.g. using e.g. physiological or hypertonic saline. It is important to consult your doctor in advance about which inhalers will be the best.

Aromatic patches for children, what is it?

Many parents who have suffered from a runny nose in their children know aromatic patches for babies and children. A few years ago, products of this type began to conquer the market, finding fertile ground with customers who want to help their children suffering from a cold by any means. Aromatic patches can be purchased both in pharmacies and drugstores. This should make us realize that it is not a drug.

The patches contain a substance that manufacturers define as a fragrance with a refreshing effect. Indeed, the fragrance composition of infant aromatic patches is intense. Right after opening, for the first 2-3 hours, it can be even very intense.

The price of aromatic patches

Admittedly, these are not expensive products, but they are also not very efficient, taking into account the fact that we are not dealing with a drug. The price for a package containing 5 pieces costs from 10 to about 15 zlotys, depending on the manufacturer and point of sale. In the opinion of parents, aromatic patches are definitely a less economical solution than inhalation using traditional methods.

Aromatic patches: parents' opinions

According to the instructions, the cold patches for children are put on the pajamas at night, and peeled off the next day and thrown away. Some parents praise the simplicity of their use, but the opinions posted on internet forums show that they treat rhinitis patches rather as a method of supporting treatment than as a treatment. However, there are some who have concerns and wonder if aromaplasters can cause side effects, especially in the youngest children..

Aromatic patches for children in the opinion of specialists

Essential oils, used in the fight against runny nose, are designed to constrict blood vessels and clear a stuffy nose. An obvious contraindication is asthma and an allergy to the aromatic substances contained in them. Occasionally there are side effects such as rash or reddening of the skin that signal an allergic reaction. But in young children, do not use patches for runny noseeven if they haven't suffered from the aforementioned ailments so far.

Even the most natural essential oils, not to mention added aromas, are strong allergens, so patches and preparations similar to them can be even dangerous for our children. In addition to contributing to the development of allergies, they can also cause local side effects and cause serious systemic reactions, not only in the skin.