Can a slice of onion act as a nasal decongestant for toddlers?

Newsmeter found a viral Facebook post that advised people to use onion as a nasal decongestant for babies. "Your child has a cold and is having trouble sleeping at night!" reads the text on the post. "Place a freshly cut onion close to his head not far from his nose. He'll sleep better. The onion decongests the nose. Tested and approved."

The post also claims that placing a slice of onion near the baby would promote good sleep.

Treatment for the common cold in babies involves easing their symptoms, such as by providing fluids, keeping the air moist and helping them keep their nasal passages open, says Mayoclinic.

Can keeping a slice of onion near the baby relieves nasal congestion and promotes good sleep?

Let's find out.

Fact Check

NewsMeter ran a keyword search and found no scientific evidence to prove an onion slice to be a natural detoxifier if placed near a child overnight. Moreover, the viral hack can harm your baby in many ways.

The first hazard could be unmindful chewing. Toddlers have a habit of chewing on things near them. Ever thought! What if your baby starts chewing on that piece of onion?

Your baby is learning how to chew and swallow foods. This means your child may choke. By 12 months old, your child is getting better at eating and may even be feeding themselves. Even though your child can now eat most foods, some are still choking hazards, says the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A chunky piece of onion sounds like a perfect example of what could cause a choking hazard if placed near a toddler.

Moving forward, 'Your baby's immune system will need time to mature. If your baby has a cold with no complications, it should resolve within 10 to 14 days. Most colds are simply a nuisance. But it's important to take your baby's signs and symptoms seriously. If symptoms don't improve or if they worsen, it's time to talk to your doctor, advise Mayoclinic.

WebMD also suggests a few good tips to cope with colds in babies.

NewsMeter reached out to pediatricians for further clarity on the topic.

Dr. Altaf Naseem, Senior Paediatrician said, there is no scientific basis for this, there are many home remedies people try and most of them are ineffective without any proven results. These are random claims.

Another Paediatrician Dr.Madap Karuna said, It's irritating for adults, I can't suggest it for a child. It can irritate the eyes of the baby, she added.

It is evident that no study advises the usage of an onion slice for the decongestion of a stuffy nose in toddlers. It is just an old anecdotal home remedy being passed on through generations. More research is required to prove the claim.

Hence the claim stands false.