A Simple Solution for Cold Symptoms

The weather outside is cooling down, and with that comes my least favorite season of the year: cold season. As a parent, I have been amazed consistently by how often my child has been sick. It seems that every other week, when people are around each other more or kids stay indoors for longer intervals, I deal with someone in my household having a cold during the fall and winter seasons.

Young children are very prone to colds. Typically, a child will contract 8–10 colds annually until age two. Estimates vary, but as many as 6–12 colds per year are found in some statistics. (ELVIS Website). With all the colds flying through our household, I'm always on the lookout for ways to cut their duration and alleviate symptoms for my child - and let's be honest, the rest of us. Lately, hypertonic saline nasal drops have been gaining in popularity-you've probably noticed saline popping up in everything from children's nose wipes to sprays.

What's exciting is that recent studies suggest these drops can shorten the length of colds by as many as two days. Being a person who takes a stuffed nose as a personal affront, I couldn't help but delve a little deeper into this research.

The ELVIS-Kids Study: Key Findings  

Researchers in Edinburgh, looking for ways that would help children-and their families-get through the cold season quicker, ran a study called the ELVIS-Kids trial. The results have been presented at a major respiratory congress and offer some practical insights for families.

The randomized control trial of 407 children under six years of age: half were treated with hypertonic saline nasal drops in addition to standard care, the other half-received standard care. The results were clear:  

- Kids using the saline nasal drops experienced cold symptoms for about six days on average.  

- Children receiving standard care had symptoms that lasted closer to eight days.  

- The saline group also used fewer medications during their illness.  

- Interestingly, fewer family members caught colds when children were treated with saline drops compared to those in the control group.  

Such findings indicate that the use of saline nasal drops will not be helpful only to the kids but make a big difference to the whole household!

How Saline Works: The Science Behind the Drops  

What makes something as simple as saltwater so effective against colds? Let’s take a closer look at how saline works to help fight off those stuffy noses.  

1. Boosting the Body's Defenses: Saline drops contain chloride, an essential part of salt. Chloride helps the body produce hypochlorous acid, a natural antiviral compound. This acid breaks down the structure of viruses, making it harder for them to replicate. Essentially, saline gives your body’s natural virus-fighting powers a boost, helping children recover faster.  

2. Thinning and Clearing Mucus: When kids catch colds, mucus builds up and makes breathing difficult. Saline works by thinning this mucus, making it easier to clear out. By flushing trapped viruses from the nose, saline helps reduce congestion and keeps everything moving out of the system.  

3. Washing Away Irritants and Debris: In addition to viruses, nasal passages can trap allergens, dust, and other debris. Saline washes all of this out, reducing the viral load and giving the body a chance to fight off the cold more efficiently.  

4. Keeping Nasal Tissues Moist: Colds dry out the nasal lining, making it uncomfortable for children (and miserable for parents). Saline keeps the tissues hydrated, which not only makes breathing easier but also helps the nasal lining maintain its ability to trap and remove viruses.  

5. Easing Inflammation: Inflammation from a cold can cause annoying congestion and discomfort. Saline can help reduce this inflammation, opening up the airways and giving kids some relief.  

Practical Use of Saline: A Simple Solution for Families  

One of the best things about saline nasal drops is how easy they are to use at home. In fact, you don’t need anything fancy to get started—you can make your own drops using sea salt and (boiled) water! 

In the ELVIS-Kids trial, parents administered three drops per nostril, four times a day. The results were promising:  

- Over 80% of parents felt that saline helped their child recover more quickly.  

- 81% of parents said they would use saline again for future colds.  

Shorter colds mean fewer days off work for parents and less chance of spreading the illness to other family members. Simple, inexpensive, and effective—what more could a parent want?  

Conclusion: The Potential of Saline Nasal Drops  

While saline nasal drops aren’t a cure for colds, they offer a simple, safe, and effective way to reduce symptoms and speed up recovery. The ELVIS-Kids trial showed that using saline could shorten the duration of a cold by up to two days—something any parent will appreciate during cold season.  

Incorporating saline into your family’s routine could make a noticeable difference. Fewer sick days, fewer medications, and fewer colds spreading through the house mean happier kids—and happier parents. A little saltwater might just be the secret weapon families need to make it through cold season with fewer sniffles.  

Written by Tiffany vanLieshout

Edited by Devangi Pethani

References: 

1. Colds in children, Paediatrics & Child Health, Volume 10, Issue 8, October 2005, Pages 493–495, https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/10.8.493

2. EVLIS (Edinburgh & Lothians Viral Intervention Study) kids. October 18, 2024. https://www.elviskids.co.uk/

3. Saline nasal drops reduce the duration of the common cold in young children by two days. European Respiratory Society. Published September 11, 2023. Accessed October 15, 2024. https://www.ersnet.org/news-and-features/news/saline-nasal-drops-reduce-the-duration-of-the-common-cold-in-young-children-by-two-days/

4. Ramalingam S, Graham C, Oatey K, et al. Study protocol of the Edinburgh and Lothian Virus Intervention Study in Kids: a randomised controlled trial of hypertonic saline nose drops in children with upper respiratory tract infections (ELVIS Kids). BMJ Open. 2021;11(5):e049964. Published 2021 May 5. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049964

5. Huijghebaert S, Parviz S, Rabago D, et al. Saline nasal irrigation and gargling in COVID-19: A multidisciplinary review of effects on viral load, mucosal dynamics, and patient outcomes. Front Public Health. 2023;11:1161881. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1161881