Preventing your child from getting sick is a full-time job for any parent and one that involves a lot of time and effort to get right. In winter, things get a lot more difficult as your children are exposed to more sickness in school and their immune systems take a toll during cold nights. Many school days are also missed due to these common winter ailments in kids.
Fortunately though, there are plenty of things you can do to get the upper hand and to raise your child’s natural defences during these colder months. Let’s take a look at some of the best treatments and preventative measures you can use to help your children avoid the sniffles or worse.
6 Common Winter Ailments in Kids and their Treatments
1. Vitamin D for Low Energy
One of the reasons that children might feel worse in winter is a lack of vitamin D. Vitamin D is produced naturally by the body when children are exposed to sunlight and if this is low, then your child might find themselves struggling to get out of bed and also to produce the right hormones and neurotransmitters. Energy levels can suffer and so too can hormone balance.
Fortunately, vitamin D is relatively easy to find in supplement form and can be taken either as a tablet or as an oral spray. This is a good habit to get into once the nights start drawing in!
Another way to boost energy levels in winter is to ensure that your children have a hearty breakfast filled with complex carbs. How about porridge oats?
2. Sleep for Boosting the Immune System
You know what one of the very best ways to help your child avoid colds and also combat them more effective is? To get them to sleep more. The human body is naturally inclined to sleep more during winter months as it is darker longer. Keep your child wrapped up warm when it’s cold outside and they will have more energy and vitality to fend off colds when the time comes.
3. Daylight Lamps for Seasonal Affective Disorder
Speaking of both sleep and vitamin D, you might want to consider getting your child a ‘daylight lamp’. This is an alarm clock that wakes the child up by getting gradually brighter while producing a wavelength similar to that of the sun.
This is perfect for helping your child to feel fresh first thing in the morning, even when it is grim and dark outside. And if they have a spot of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), then it can be highly effective at treating this often-overlooked condition.
4. Warm Salt Water for Scratchy Throats
If your child has a sore throat, then you probably have everything you need already to help them get over it. Simply get them to gargle with some warm salty water and not only will it ease the discomfort but it will also help to prevent infections, which are a lot more serious.
5. Menthol for Stuffy Noses
For blocked noses, try an essential oil such as menthol. These are ideal for clearing blocked sinuses and especially during the night. Rub a little on your child’s chest and they will inhale the fumes, breaking up the mucus and blockages and helping them to breathe.
6. Scarfs for Asthma
If your child suffers from asthma, then you need to be particularly careful when you head outside as this can trigger breathing difficulties. A warm scarf wrapped around the neck is a simple and effective solution.
Of course, there are many illnesses out there, but these are the most common winter ailments in kids. Be vigilant, stock up and keep your child wrapped up nice and warm! As they say in Game of Thrones, winter is coming!
Author:
Dr. Vidhi Jain has over 7 years of experience as a Physiotherapist. She has a Masters in Physiotherapy in Orthopedics and is currently practicing at Vinayak Physiotherapy in Noida as HOD of the Physiotherapy Department. She has been nominated as ‘Best Physiotherapy Consultant’ in Noida & firmly believes in health care that is based on a personal commitment to meet patient needs with compassion and care.
She also writes for Medlife International Private Limited, an online pharmacy store operating in India offering home delivery of authentic prescription medicines at discounted prices.