Parents often ask what can they do to prevent young children from catching colds during air travel. While no one really knows if, indeed, flying increases the risk of catching colds, there is a safe technique that may decrease the risk (if it exists) and also make infants more comfortable: saline nose drops or sprays. Presumably, infants are more susceptible to colds than adults. (In studies of adults at home, the daily use of saline nose drops did result in a moderate decrease in cold-like illnesses.)

The structure of the nose is important in cold prevention. Colds are caught by breathing in cold-causing viruses. The nasal membranes and hairs in the nose trap most of these organisms. However, these membranes and hairs require moisture to function optimally. Aircraft air conditioning dries out cabin air - and the nose - by removing most of the moisture. Saline restores the moisture.

There is another possible advantage of saline nose drops/sprays in young children: helping to remove mucous. Mucous acts as a culture medium, enabling organisms to multiply rapidly and increasing the risk of ear and sinus infections. Very young children cannot blow their noses to remove mucous. Saline loosens mucous, allowing it to flow out.

Apply several drops or sprays into each nostril every few hours. There are no known side effects. Check that your drops/sprays contain only saline. Many products contain additional ingredients and should not be used indiscriminately.