Honey Helps Relieve Coughing in Kids

Ever since the FDA has withdrawn common over-the-counter medications to treat cough in kids, there has been a conundrum among pediatricians and their young patient charges on how to address the cough that occurs with viral upper respiratory infections (common cold). Beyond humidified mist, hydration, vapor baths, saline spray, and sleep, there are still some other effective options to try...

Sore throats (and coughing) can be soothed by swallowing honey straight-up or slightly diluted with warm water with honey to make it easier to swallow. The best time to do this is at bedtime given it will stick around for awhile (eating/drinking will wash away the coating). The purpose of honey is to create a throat barrier to ease the discomfort.

Think of it like chapstick to coat irritated lips, but meant for the throat.

There was a 2007 study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine by Hershey Penn State Medical Center revealing the benefit of buckwheat honeyto help with pediatric cough. In fact, it was found to work even BETTER than over-the-counter cough suppressants. This study has been picked up by the general news media as well.

In a more recent 2012 study (randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled) comparing 3 different honey products (eucalyptus honey, citrus honey, or labiatae honey) against placebo, the cough improvement was greater in the honey groups for all the main outcome measures. (media report)

Use of honey is also recommended by the World Health Organization which has also published a monogram on viral colds and the various treatments explained. Pay particular close attention to Annex 3 (Page 11) which gives various recipes to treat pediatric cough including the use of honey.

Any further questions or concerns should be directed to your pediatrician. Be aware that honey should not be given to infants less than 1 year old due to risk of botulism.

You can purchase buckwheat honeyon Amazon.com.

References:
Effect of Honey, Dextromethorphan, and No Treatment on Nocturnal Cough and Sleep Quality for Coughing Children and Their Parents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007;161(12):1140-1146.

Effect of Honey on Nocturnal Cough and Sleep Quality: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Pediatrics. Published online August 6, 2012 (doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-3075)

  

New and Only Over-The-Counter Anti-Histamine Nasal Spray

Up until now, there has been three anti-histamine nasal sprays in the United States market available only by prescription... Astelin, Astepro, and Patanase.

However, in May 2011, Meda Pharma announced a new anti-histamine nasal spray Rhinolast Allergy that is available over-the-counter.

The active ingredient is azelastine, the same one as found in the prescription nasal spray Astelin and Astepro.

Azelastine has a triple mode of action: anti-histamine effect, m,ast-cell stabilizing effect, and anti-inflammatory effect. Azelastine has a rapid onset of action of 15 minutes.

It can be used from the age of 5 years.

This nasal spray can be used in combination with other over-the-counter anti-histamines medications taken orally like zyrtec, claritin, allegra, and benadryl.

Read more about this new nasal spray here.

Read more about allergy medications in general here.

Pediatric ENT Care of Warrenton, Virginia (Fauquier County)

Recently, there has been some confusion regarding whether our office deals with adults only or do we see kids as well... Strangely enough, we also get asked by parents whether our office sees adults when seeing a pediatric patient.

To clear up any confusion, our office does see kids AND adults... starting from birth to the elderly.

Dr. Chang who joined the office in October 2005, was named one of America's Top Physicians by the Consumer's Research Council of America in 2008 as well as a Northern Virginia Top Doctor for 2011 (to be published in February 2011).

Some common problems and procedures for which Dr. Chang sees kids specifically include:

- Tongue Tie Release (starting from ONE DAY OLD!)
- Tonsillectomy
- Adenoidectomy
- Sinus Surgery starting with adolescents
- Ear Tube placement
- Hearing Loss
- Nasal Obstruction
- Nasal Congestion
- Snotty Nose
- Speech Delay
AND many other issues...

Our office has even created videos on a few common pediatric procedures including tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, earwax removal, ear tubes placement. Watch the video below on tonsillectomy.