Each responsible parent begins to show anxiety if the child starts a runny nose. After all, with nasal congestion, the baby has to breathe heavily with his mouth. The progress of the disease leads to the fact that the child cannot fall asleep calmly, feels discomfort during eating. To ease the suffering of your own child, it is important to understand how to treat a runny nose in children. There are many medications and folk recipes that can help relieve the symptoms of the disease. The most effective methods will be discussed in our publication.
Symptomatology
Before telling how to treat a runny nose in children, I would like to say a few words about the signs of the development of the disease. The problem makes itself felt gradually, in several stages. Initially, the child experiences mild discomfort in the form of a small swelling of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx. There is a barely perceptible difficulty in breathing due to narrowing of blood vessels.
After a few days, the baby begins to suffer from blockage of the upper respiratory tract with clear, watery mucus. More impressive swelling and redness of the tissues of the mucous membranes are noted. The sense of smell worsens and physical discomfort in the nasopharynx is manifested. Frequent urge to sneeze.
In the absence of timely treatment, the disease passes into the third stage. Mucous secretions acquire a thick structure and a greenish tint. The nose is completely blocked. The baby has to breathe through his mouth. The desire to unlock the nasopharynx by blowing the nose causes damage to small vessels and bleeding.
Causes of the disease
Doctors distinguish the following causes of a cold in children:
- Vasomotor factors - characteristic symptoms of the disease appear under the influence of sudden changes in ambient temperature, changes in air humidity. In this case, a runny nose also provokes sharp odors, the child is in a dusty room. In rare situations, stress and emotional distress lead to obstruction of the airways.
- Bacterial and viral infections - the cause of the common cold are relapses of insufficiently cured diseases of the nasopharynx. The result is a gradual accumulation of mucous secretions in the airways. Over time, such masses acquire a dense structure, which contributes to the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria and pathogens of viral infections.
- Allergic reactions - a runny nose manifests itself as a result of an individual reaction of the body to certain stimuli. These are most often plant pollen, fungal spores, chemicals in medicines, airborne microscopic particles of urine, saliva, or pet skin.
Rinse nose
How to cure a runny nose in a child up to a year? Absolutely safe solution is the cleaning of the nose with saline. If at hand there is no corresponding pharmaceutical preparation, the product can be prepared with your own hands. For these purposes, take boiled water, which is cooled to a comfortable temperature. On a glass of liquid, use half a teaspoon of table salt, drip a couple of drops in each nostril.
For older children, the solution is poured into a special kettle. The nose of the container is placed in the stuffy nostril. Then the vessel is slightly tilted. Act in such a way that fluid flows out of the other nostril.
As an alternative, a syringe without a needle, a syringe or a pipette are often used. When performing the procedure, the child should be in a supine position.
Saline saline solution perfectly flushes accumulated mucous masses out. From a runny nose and nasal congestion for children, such treatment is performed every 3-4 hours. At the indicated frequency of procedures, the mucus will not have time to thicken and clog the airways. Treatment will prevent the drying of clusters, which are fertile ground for the propagation of pathogens of bacterial and viral infections.
Xymelin
An effective remedy for the common cold and nasal congestion for children is Xymelin. The drug is available in the form of a spray. The active substances in the composition of the drug produce a targeted vasoconstrictor effect. Almost immediately after the use of the drug, swelling on the mucous membranes of the tissues of the nasopharynx is observed. Favorable changes contribute to the normalization of breathing. The beneficial effect of the drug lasts for 10-12 hours.
How to treat a runny nose in children with Xymelin? Perform one spray of funds into each nostril. The drug is used several times a day. As practice shows, a cold spray for children can completely eliminate the trouble within a week.
"Nazivin"
The main component of the drug is a substance called oxymetazoline, which has a powerful vasoconstrictor effect. The result of the use of the tool is the removal of puffiness. Mucosal tissues return to normal in a short time. The amount of mucus secreted from the nasopharynx decreases markedly.
"Nazivin" is released in the form of drops and spray. In the first case, the product is contained in a glass bottle, which is equipped with a pipette. This medicine is safe for children of any age. Therapy involves instillation of the composition into each nostril for 1-2 drops. The procedure is resorted to no more than 3 times a day.
How to help a child with a runny nose with the help of the drug Nazivin in the form of an aerosol? The drug is allowed to be used to eliminate the symptoms of the disease in children aged from one to 6 years. During the day, perform 2-3 injections into each nostril with a spray from the common cold for children. Treatment is stopped after the complete disappearance of the characteristic manifestations of the disease.
"Nazol Baby"
How to treat a runny nose in children? A good option is the use of drops "Nazol Baby". The pharmacological composition is characterized by a mild vasoconstrictor effect. The drug soothes irritated tissues of the mucous membranes, greatly facilitating breathing. Drops are safe to use for treating the common cold in newborns.
What is the treatment with the drug? If nasal congestion is noted in a child under the age of one year, no more than one drop of the composition is instilled into each nostril. The procedure is repeated four times a day. When treating children from one year old, 1-2 drops are used every 5-6 hours.
Otrivin
The medicine is a standard vasoconstrictor. The use of the drug allows you to combat the occurrence of swelling of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx in children. The effect is normalization of breathing. Nasal drops perfectly moisturize tissues and allow the baby to breathe freely throughout the day.
An indication for the use of the drug is the development of a cold in children older than 6 years. In such cases, the drug is instilled into each nostril a few drops no more than 2 times a day. The duration of such therapy is about 10 days.
Kalanchoe juice
Kalanchoe juice from the common cold is safe for children to bury at any age. The plant contains substances that act as natural antiseptics and have a disinfecting effect on tissues. Such a liquid penetrates perfectly into the deep structures of the nasopharynx, which causes the separation of the abundance of mucous deposits.
So, we treat a runny nose in a child at home. To do this, pour a glass of water into an enameled container. This adds 3-4 leaves of medium-sized Kalanchoe. The composition is brought to a boil, after which we wait for the liquid to cool to a comfortable room temperature. Next, we clean the baby's sinuses with the help of blowing. We instill 1-2 drops of the drug into each nostril. The procedure is performed 3 times a day.
In order to treat a runny nose in babies over 2 years old, dilution of the plant juice with boiled water in equal proportions is allowed. The composition is instilled into the nose with a pipette. The result of such actions is an acute urge to sneeze, which makes it possible to rid the airways of accumulated mucus.
Balm "Asterisk"
It is possible to apply from a runny nose to children "Asterisk". The famous balm has not only a disinfecting effect, but also irritates the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx, which makes it possible to free the sinuses from accumulations of mucus. The safety of the composition is due to the herbal composition and the lack of chemical components. The only drawback of the drug is the likelihood of allergic reactions.
How to treat a runny nose with balm? A small amount of substance is applied to the edges of the nostrils. The procedure is performed shortly before going to bed. In order to facilitate breathing, in the absence of a strong cough and signs of inflammation of the bronchi, the composition is additionally applied to the skin in the chest area. The result is the release of vapors of essential oils that enter the nasal passages and normalize the tissues of the mucous membranes.
Nebulizer for children from cough and runny nose
A nebulizer is a simple device that consists of a compressor, as well as a chamber designed to fill with medicine. During the use of the device, air is pumped, which is connected to a suspension of the therapeutic composition. Thus, the cough and rhinitis remedy penetrates the nasopharynx more easily. The device sprays the medicine into the smallest particles, which without obstacles enter the deep parts of the bronchi.
The use of a nebulizer for cough and runny nose for children allows you to quickly fix the problem without damaging the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx. The device makes it possible to avoid burns, which often happen during steam inhalations. The intake of suspensions from microscopic drops of drugs in the respiratory tract does not force the use of antibiotics. The nebulizer is able to eliminate the symptoms of the disease through the use of exclusively local drugs.
Beetroot juice
How to rinse the nose of a child with a cold? A proven option is the use of beet juice. To prepare the product, the vegetable is ground on a grater. The pulp is placed in a piece of gauze and squeezed the liquid. Juice is allowed to infuse for several hours. Then the raw materials are combined in equal proportions with water.
The finished medicine is collected in a pipette and instilled into each nostril. In some cases, the use of the composition causes a burning sensation. If this effect is observed, the product is applied to cotton swabs, which are placed in the sinuses. Periodic use of beetroot juice throughout the day makes it possible to eliminate even the most severe airway congestion.
Onion juice
Bulb juice has the ability to destroy pathogens. In order to treat a cold in a child, the pulp of the root crop is crushed. Raw materials are squeezed through cheesecloth. The resulting liquid is poured into a plate. The child is placed above the bowl and allowed to breathe in pairs that exude onion juice. The result is the unlocking of breathing and the release of mucous masses accumulated in the nasopharynx.
Alternatively, you can resort to instillation in the nose of juice diluted with water. However, this option should be resorted to at your own peril and risk. After all, such actions not only make it possible to destroy pathogens that parasitize on the tissues of the mucous membranes, but also with a high probability of getting quite unpleasant burns.
Boiled egg warming nose
It perfectly removes the effect of nasal obstruction by mucous masses by heating local tissues with a boiled egg. Such a product is wrapped in a towel, which avoids skin burns. Then the egg is applied to the upper parts of the nose. The procedure is performed by leaning forward slightly. Otherwise, mucus flowing from the nose can enter the maxillary sinuses.
It is worth noting that such therapy should not be resorted to if the child has an increase in body temperature. Refuse the decision should also be with suspicions of sinusitis, the presence of inflammation in the middle ear.
Honey and Propolis
How to rinse the nose of a child with a cold? A good solution is to use a liquid prepared on the basis of honey and propolis. To do this, dissolve in boiled water ingredients taken in equal proportions. The resulting liquid is used for washing the nostrils. The procedure is performed several times a day at regular intervals. The tool is recommended to be used with caution if the runny nose is allergic in nature.
Should I go out with a child with a cold?
If the baby does not have an increase in body temperature, being in the fresh air has a beneficial effect on well-being with nasal congestion. During regular walks, mucus in the airways liquefies. It is acceptable to be on the street with a child not only in the warm season, but also in winter. However, this should not be done in severe frosts and in case of adverse atmospheric phenomena. With snowfalls, rain and strong winds, it is better to cancel the walk.
Going out with the baby, it is important to clean the sinuses first. Thus, breathing will be released faster and air permeability will improve. Parents need to ensure that the child tries to breathe through the nose. Indeed, the absorption of air by the mouth can only exacerbate the problem.
Finally
So we found out how to treat a runny nose in children. In conclusion, it is worth noting that it is much easier to prevent the development of the disease than to deal with its consequences. In order for the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx of the child to remain in order, they should not be allowed to dry out. It is important for the baby's parents to maintain cleanliness in the house and humidify the air. Fortunately, today there are special household appliances. In winter, when heaters are operating in the apartment, it is useful to periodically flush the baby’s nose with saline. Also, do not forget about the regular implementation of wet cleaning and walking with the baby in the fresh air.