Which cold balsam is suitable for whom?
Not every cold balm for adults can be used for children and babies. Especially with babies you really have to be careful. Therefore you should always read the package insert to see if the product can be used at all for children under 2 years of age.
Essential oils can cause breathing difficulties in babies. Even the smallest amounts are enough to trigger a life-threatening larynx cramp with respiratory arrest. However, there are special products that have been developed especially for babies.
It is best to put a drop on the pillow or on a damp cloth and hang it over the baby’s bed. The Babix® baby balm can also be applied in small amounts to the baby’s chest and back. Transpulmin® and Wick® also have a mild cold balm especially for babies.
Mostly rosemary and lavender are used in these products. In general, you should always seek advice from a pharmacy. Furthermore, one should also generously consult the pediatrician if the baby is suffering from cold symptoms.
For children there are certainly some products in the range of cold balms. However, it is also important to read the package insert carefully to find out whether the product is approved and recommended for the appropriate age. In addition, the Cold Balsam should only be applied in small quantities, as essential oils can also cause severe irritation of the respiratory tract in children.
Transpulmin® Cold Balsam may be used from 2 years of age. However, care should be taken with children under 6 years of age. The product should not be applied to the area of the face and especially around the nose.
This can lead to the described respiratory tract cramps. Paediatricians usually recommend not to use Cold Balsam until school age. For younger children, saline or sea salt nose drops are often better.
Inhalation is still the most sensible option for mucusy bronchial tubes. Children should not be inhaled over a pot of hot water like adults, but should get an appropriate inhalation device from the pharmacy. Even during pregnancy you can catch an annoying cold.
The desire to relieve the symptoms with a cold balm is quite understandable.During pregnancy, however, special caution should be exercised even with non-prescription drugs; one should always read the package insert to find out whether the product is recommended for pregnant women. Normally there is nothing to be said against a menthol-free cold balm. Inhalation of essential oils and juices on a herbal basis is also permitted.
Depending upon severity of the infection one should however in any case visit a physician, this can decide then whether a symptomatic therapy (e.g. with cold balsam) is sufficient, or whether possibly even an antibiotic must be prescribed. There are antibiotics that can be taken during pregnancy without any problems. The same applies here as during pregnancy.
Against a menthol-free cold balsam actually nothing speaks. A view into the package insert is therefore in any case meaningful. However, you should be very careful that the baby does not come into contact with the essential vapors of the cold balm. Therefore, a certain amount of restraint with regard to cold balm is certainly advisable during the nursing period. Only products containing sage should be avoided completely during the breastfeeding period because sage can inhibit milk production.
