Home treatment measures for congestion in children with an upper respiratory infection include general measures and medications. Medications include oral decongestants, decongestant nasal sprays and antihistamines.

General Measures

• Ask your child to blow the nose gently. Forceful blowing can cause pain and bleeding.
• Apply petroleum jelly to the nostrils if the skin becomes dry.
• Drink plenty of liquids.
• Use a humidifier, nebulizer, or vaporizer in the bedroom at night.
• Use saline (saltwater) nose spray, such as Ocean Nasal Mist: saline helps to keep the lining of nasal passages moist.

Oral Decongestants
Oral decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), help to thin the mucus responsible for the congestion. Decongestants are safe for children more than 6 years old. Talk to your doctor before providing a decongestant to a child less than 6 years old.

Decongestant Sprays
Decongestant nasal sprays, such as pseudoephedrine (Afrin), can relieve congestion faster than oral medications, but should not be used in children less than 12 years old.

Examples include:

• Afrin Nasal Spray
• Duration Nasal Spray
• Four-Way Fast Nasal Spray
• Neo-Synephrine Nasal Spray
• Vicks Sinex Nasal Spray

Precautions include:

• Do not use decongestant nasal sprays for longer than 3 days. After three days, the nasal tissues become dependent on the medication. When the medication is stopped, the nasal tissue swells and congestion worsens.

Antihistamines
Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) brompheniramine and chlorpheniramine, dry nasal tissue. Antihistamines are safe for children more than 5 years old. Talk to your doctor before providing an antihistamine to a child less than 5 years old.

Examples include:

• Allerest
• Sudafed Cold and Allergy Tablets
• Triaminic Syrup
• Dimetapp
• Chlor-Trimeton
• Tavist-D
• Tylenol Allergy Sinus Medication

Precautions include:

• Antihistamines can cause drowsiness or hyperactivity.

Diphenhydramine Dosing Chart

Age	Each Dose	Interval	Max Daily Dose
2-5 years	6.25 mg	4-6 hours	37.5 mg/day
6-11 years	12.5-25 mg	4-6 hours	150 mg/day
12 and older	25-50 mg	4-6 hours	300 mg/day

Chlorpheniramine Dosing Chart

Age	Each Dose	Interval	Max Daily Dose
Under 6	consult your physician
6-11 years	2 mg	4-6 hours	12 mg/day
12 and up	4 mg	4-6 hours	24 mg/day