Coughs and colds

As school resumes and the days get shorter the number of children getting coughs and colds increases. This is not just because of weather but a variety of things such as children in crowded classrooms and closed windows to keep the heat (and germs) in. The website NHS Cough and Cold has lots of useful information you can signpost your customers to for advice on dealing with coughs and colds for themselves, their families, and their children.

Children's colds

It's normal for a child to have 8 or more colds a year. This is because there are hundreds of different cold viruses and young children have no immunity to any of them as they have never had them before. As they grow, they gradually build up immunity and get fewer colds. Most colds get better in 5 to 7 days but can take up to 2 weeks in small children. However, parents will often want a supply of cough and cold treatments in the house and there are many different products which fall into different groups available such as:

• Nasal decongestants unclog a stuffy nose.
• Cough suppressants quiet a cough, reduce its severity, and reduce the frequency of coughing episodes.
• Medicated Lozenges to sooth the throat.
• Expectorants loosen mucus in your lungs so it can be coughed up.
• Antihistamines don't just treat hay fever but can also potentially stop runny noses and sneezing.
• Pain relievers and Antipyretics ease fever, headaches, and minor aches and pains.

Many products are combinations of the above six categories.

The sheer number of treatments is far too big to list but it is worth mentioning that the vast majority are available from Numark and Phoenix (including Numark own brands) and they are a very big revenue stream for the business which is growing year on year. The website Statista Cough Cold reminds us of that and in 2023 Sales of Over The Counter (OTC) cough, cold and sore throat treatments in Great Britain was £583 million.

As well as medicines to ease the symptoms here are some tips you can give customers for how to ease the symptoms in their child: 

• Make sure their child drinks plenty of fluids.
• Saline nose drops can help loosen dried snot and relieve a stuffy nose. A good link selling opportunity.
• If their child has a high temperature, pain or discomfort, children's Paracetamol and / or Ibuprofen can help.
• If a child has asthma refer them to the Pharmacist as Ibuprofen can aggravate asthmatic symptoms.
• Remind them to fully follow the instructions on the packet.
• Encourage the whole family to wash their hands regularly to stop the cold spreading.

Many cough and cold remedies contain Paracetamol. Please remember to check products to ensure you are not selling too many and also ensure the customer is counselled vigorously about products containing Paracetamol, maximum single dose, daily dose, and number of packs that can be sold at one time.