Can’t find kids’ meds in Florida? You may need to try something else, like a snot sucker

Kids are getting coughs, fevers and runny noses. But it’s a little trickier to care for them during the “tripledemic” of COVID, flu and RSV.

Children’s Tylenol and other medications might be hard to find at your pharmacy. CVS and Walgreens, for example, are seeing an increase in demand for certain children’s medications and have announced purchase limits, similar to what happened during the pandemic toilet paper craze.

CVS Health, which owns traditional CVS stores, CVS y mas and Navarro Discount Pharmacies, is letting people buy up to two children’s pain relief products at a time online and in the store “to ensure equitable access” for customers. At Walgreens, families can only purchase up to six over-the-counter pediatric fever-reducing medications online per transaction.

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Other retailers — including Publix, Winn-Dixie and Walmart, which has also seen higher demand for pediatric pain medications this year — haven’t announced purchase limits on children’s medication. So if you can’t find what you’re looking for in one store, you might need to shop around. Generic brands and natural home remedies might be alternatives.

Remember, medicine doesn’t cure viral infections. That’s the job of the immune system. Adults and kids take medicine for viruses to help reduce symptoms like cough to make the illness more manageable.

In case you can’t find the type of medicine you’re looking for, here are some alternatives to try.

How to treat your child’s cold without medicine

▪ Cough: For children 1 and older, you can give them one to two teaspoons of honey every four to six hours, said Dr. Therese Anderson, a family medicine physician at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. Anderson is board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

You can also mix the honey with warm milk, warm water or decaffeinated tea. However, don’t give honey to kids under 1, she said. It won’t help with the cough and could get them ill with botulism.

Other alternatives include using a cool mist humidifier in the house and Vicks VapoRub in children 2 and older, she said.

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▪ Runny or stuffy nose: For younger kids with a runny nose, you can use a bulb syringe to pull out the liquid. If they’re old enough, you can ask them to blow their nose. If your child has a stuffy nose, use saline drops or sprays and then use the bulb syringe to pull the liquid or ask your child to blow, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

If you can’t find saline drops or sprays, you can make your own saline solution at home. An easier option for older kids: Ask them to splash their nose with warm water until the stuffiness clears.

For parents who plan to use the bulb syringes, Anderson cautions not to overuse the snot sucker devices, which can sometimes cause irritation.

▪ Sore throat: For kids 5 and older, gargling with saltwater can help. Another option to help your kid with the pain (while giving you a cool mom/dad reputation) is to give them an ice pop, ice cream or a milkshake. Yes, that’s the doctor’s order. Cold liquids can numb the throat, which can ease some discomfort.

Growing up, Anderson remembers that whenever she got sick with a sore throat, her mom would make orange juice pops so she would get some Vitamin C with the frozen treat. For kids 5 and older, another option is to have them suck on hard candy or throat lozenges, Anderson said.

▪ Stomachaches, diarrhea and vomiting: Anderson recommends speaking with your child’s pediatrician if your kid has an achy tummy or diarrhea, or is vomiting. Make sure to keep your child hydrated. And gently rub your child’s belly if it’s hurting.

▪ Fever: If your child has a fever, don’t panic. Fever is normal and just means that your child’s immune system is fighting the virus.

“If your child is actually acting normally — they’re playful, they’re eating and drinking, well, let that fever ride, it’s completely fine to let it ride,” Anderson said. “If, on the other hand, they’re not eating and drinking well, maybe they’re fussier, maybe they’re just not acting like their normal selves, then I definitely would recommend treating the fever.”

Speak with your child’s pediatrician about what type of fever-reducing medication they can take. You can also use cool compresses, and again, make sure they stay hydrated.

Can I give adult medication to kids? When should I take my child to the doctor?

Can you give your child an adult Advil or Tylenol? What if you grind or cut it in half?

Before you think about giving your child an adult dose of a medication, Anderson says you should speak with the pediatrician. Remember, kids’ doses are usually based on the child’s weight.

Anderson is also encouraging parents to keep an eye out for signs that a child might need to see a doctor. Here are some examples of when a trip to the pediatrician is needed:

▪ A child younger than 3 months has a fever.

▪ If your child’s symptoms were improving, but are now getting worse again. This might be a sign that your child has a bacterial infection.

▪ Your kid is experiencing shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing.

▪ Fever has lasted for more than five days.

▪ If they’re not urinating in an 8- to 12-hour period. This could be a sign of dehydration.

When kids get sick with a virus, it can take 10 to 14 days for them to fully recover.

And remember, if your child gets sick, take care of yourself too. You can end up with what’s ailing them.

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