A recent study suggests that saline nasal drops and sprays may help treat cold symptoms in children, as they have been shown to do in adults. The study, conducted by Steve Cunningham at the University of Edinburgh, involved 150 children with cold symptoms who were treated with a homemade saline solution. The children who used the drops recovered two days earlier than those who did not use them, and their household members were less likely to develop cold symptoms as well.
The researchers believe that the chloride ions in saline may cause cells to produce more of an antiviral substance called hypochlorous acid, which could help combat the virus in the early stages of infection. However, some experts, like William Schaffner at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, remain skeptical of this theory. Schaffner suggests that further studies with different concentrations of saline or plain water drops could determine whether the benefits of saline nasal drops are due to their antiviral properties or simply the relief of symptoms by moistening mucous membranes.
While the study provides promising results for the use of saline nasal drops in treating cold symptoms in children, more research is needed to fully understand how they work and whether they are truly effective in combating viral infections. The findings will be presented at a European Respiratory Society meeting in Vienna, Austria, on 8 September.
As more evidence mounts in support of saline nasal drops and sprays as a potential treatment for cold symptoms, it is important for researchers to continue investigating their mechanisms of action and effectiveness in both children and adults. This study adds to the growing body of research on the topic and may pave the way for new approaches to treating common colds in the future.