Treating kids' nasal congestion

Parents find both recommended and nonrecommended treatments for nasal congestion effective. A survey of 285 parents about what they use to relieve their infants’ nasal congestion found that most parents used treatments recommended by their pediatricians, including nasal saline, humidifier, and bulb syringe, but also used Vicks and other over-the-counter (OTC) remedies their physicians do not recommend. Respondents reported that all these treatments-both recommended and not recommended--were effective. White parents were more likely than minority parents to believe that OTC medications were effective, however (Krugman SD, et al. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2013;52[8]:762-764).

MS FREEDMAN is a freelance medical editor and writer in New Jersey. She has nothing to disclose in regard to affiliations with or financial interests in any organizations that may have an interest in any part of this article.

Subscribe to Contemporary Pediatrics to get monthly clinical advice for today's pediatrician.