Parents in South Lanarkshire have the opportunity to sign their children up for a study during their next cold.
The study is being conducted by Edinburgh and Lothians Viral Intervention Study and seeks to find out if kids can recover quicker from the common cold with salt water nose drops.
The study is looking at low-cost treatments that adults can use on their children at home to ease the symptoms of a cold.
Children who are six years old or younger can take part, with parents able to join at any time to take part during their child’s next cold.
Families should notify a nurse at their GP practice or local hospital to express their desire to take part.
The research team will then arrange an appointment with a research nurse at the closest participating hospital, which is Wishaw General for South Lanarkshire children.
Parents will then be asked to collect a nose swab for up to five days as well as completing an online diary until the child’s cold is better and a further questionnaire should be completed on that day.
Participants will be provided with information and equipment so they know how to prepare and apply the nose drops, which should be used at least four times per day until the child is better.
The researchers hope to highlight that salt water nose drops make colds go away more quickly and stop colds from developing into more serious illnesses.
All families completing the study will receive a £30 voucher as well as having all travel expenses covered.
More information on how to take part in the study can be found here.
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