Hi there,

Thanks for writing in.

I understand it is very sad and frustrating when children are unwell ; but we have to be patient. Once she gets older and develops her immune system, she will be fine.

Right now, it is going to be very difficult for your grand daughter to have a good diet because she is unwell with cold and cough. Even adults lose their appetite when they are faced with similar complaints.

Allegra and Benadryl solution are all temporary measures.

Don't force feed. Give her food as much as she can eat/drink. If you give her too much, she will vomit. At least whatever little nutrition she gets let it stay in her body.

Try to give her warm soups, kanji (rice gruel).
Warm water to drink at regular intervals.
Steam inhalation 3 times a day under adult supervision. Please be careful.
Mix a teaspoon of honey with a pinch of pepper powder and ask her to drink it. It will help soothe the cough and throat.
Avoid dusting the room/ sweeping the floor when she is around . Do so when she is not in the room. Dust can trigger allergies.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan

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It is not advisable to give sleep inducing medications. But some medications given for cold like Wikoryl syrup or Triaminic syrup do cause sedation to a slight effect.

Do discuss with the paediatrician before giving these kind of medications.

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