Beware of children who lose their taste buds when they have a cold

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor I Bui Thi Ha - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.

1. What is loss of taste?

The phenomenon of loss of taste is a condition in which the taste buds have abnormal activities, from which the patient's sensations are changed. The patient can't feel the taste of food: sour, spicy, salty, sweet, etc. can't even feel the food has been spoiled. For example, there is an unpleasant taste in the mouth that overwhelms the taste of food when we put it in our mouth, such as the taste of metal. This condition is only temporary and goes away after 5 to 7 days or after the cold or flu is gone.

2. Loss of sense of taste in children

In mild cases, children can regain their sense of taste after the flu is over. However, there are some prolonged cases where you need to take your child to a medical facility to see an ENT specialist for diagnosis and treatment. The cause of loss of taste can be in the presence of a tumor in the nose or throat or other signs of infection.
In addition, if loss of taste is not treated in time, it will lead to unscientific eating. From there, it can make children lack nutrients, affecting the energy production process in the body. Even, the body is not loaded with enough energy to operate in a day will make the baby weak, if prolonged, it will lead to malnutrition.
Especially in the summer, food is often very easy to go rancid, stale, .. if young children lose their taste, it will be difficult to distinguish. Therefore, parents need to be very careful to always keep children within their sight. Otherwise, the baby will be very susceptible to food poisoning, greatly affecting health. The current diagnostic technique for taste loss in our country is limited and often takes a lot of time. Therefore, early detection and treatment is essential.

3. Supplementing with substances to help children eat deliciously

The way food is prepared and presented also has a great influence on stimulating the taste buds to help children eat better. In addition, mothers can add substances to their meals to support the perfection of taste buds. Zinc: Participates in the formation of the structure and function of many enzymes, catalyzes the body's energy-producing reactions, the synthesis of proteins, DNA, ... helps children eat well, absorb nutrients better nutrition. Beta glucan: Helps to kill cancer cells, prevent infections, fight radiation exposure, heal wounds, allergic rhinitis, .. Lysine: Is an amino acid that stimulates children to eat well. , support for energy metabolism, help children grow taller,... Vitamin B: Plays an important role in the metabolism of substances, aids digestion, gives babies appetite. If the child lacks vitamin B, he will experience anorexia, thereby slowing down the child's development. Ginger extract: In Oriental medicine, ginger has warm properties, applied in hot season detoxification. For fresh ginger, it also has the effect of preventing leprosy, spreading cold, disinfecting heat,... The improvement of taste when having a cold in children can take place for a long time, so it is recommended that parents need to calm down and relax. Be patient when adding nutrients to your baby, even through food or functional foods. In particular, the use of functional foods should choose those of natural origin that are easily absorbed, do not allow children to use many types at the same time or continuously change the types of functional foods.
It is best when there is a loss of taste, flu, mothers should coordinate with a pediatrician to create a nutritious menu, enough zinc for the baby to help children develop comprehensively in each age.