Cold remedies and Type 1

[CathMJones]

My daughter (aged 10) has a nasty cold and is particularly bothered by nasal congestion which has been keeping her awake. I know that decongestants such as phenylephrine should not be used by Type 1 diabetics and have packed her off to bed with olbas oil to sniff. Does anyone know if there are any alternative decongestanst that ARE safe for diabetics?

 

[Jen&Khaleb]

I give my 3 (nearly 4 yr old) the decongestants. I haven't found them to make him too sleepy that I can't manage his diabetes at the same time. If he is okay during the day I'll let it go and just give them at night but without drying up the nose I usually just end up with a big chest infection to go along with the original illness. I never exceed the allowable dose.

Other solutions are nasal sprays, chest rubs.

Talk to your doctor or the pharacist.

I'd prefer a cure for the common cold over diabetes atm after my son being sick more than well since about March.

 

[jaykay]

There's some liquid called Friars Balsam which is really sticky, stainy stuff but my old GP used to swear by it. You put it in hot water and inhale and it worked for me when normal inhalants don't. Don't know whether it affects diabetes tho'. you'd have to Google it.

 

[Snodger]

I have used Actifed in the past, recommended by my pharmacist, and it seems to be fine. Just checked the packet and it does not say diabetics shouldn't take it (It does say consult your doctor if you are taking 'any other medication').
As a kid my mum made me sniff menthol crystals dissolved in hot water - I don't know if you can still get them, but they worked for me.

 

[SophiaW]

We rub in vicks vapour rub onto chest and back and then take a dose of paracetamol. I hope your daughter is feeling better soon.

 

[CathMJones]

Thanks for the suggestions, folks. She is getting better - we thought it might be the dreaded flu, but just a nasty cold. The Olbas oil did the trick in the end. Having now read up about decongestants and how they work ( constricted blood vessels, raised BP etc) I think I might give them a wide berth myself!