The condition when the child has stuffed her nose leads to poor health, impaired sleep and appetite, therefore, in this case, certain measures must be taken to eliminate such a nuisance. However, initially it is necessary to determine the cause of this pathology, and then begin the necessary treatment. If a child has a stuffy nose, what should I do? We will deal with this further.
A runny nose is considered a commonplace problem that any parent can cure on their own. But in fact, it is very dangerous, because it can lead to suffocation and asphyxiation of the brain when there is no oxygen to the brain. There are many reasons for the common cold - these are colds, and congenital anomalies of the nasal septum, and even the formation of a tumor. To find out the reason, you need to contact a pediatrician.
Pathological factors
If the snot and stuffy nose in a child, what to treat? First you need to determine the reasons. The causes of this pathology can be a variety of situations. For example, in newborns, various physiological nuances of the structure of the nose can lead to this. Dry crusts in the nose of a baby can form with increased air dryness or with a foreign body, as well as with curvature of the septum, when it comes to congenital anomalies.
It happens that at the same time the child has a stuffy nose and cough. This is most likely due to physiology, as well as insufficient maturity of the immune system, and treatment is not necessary. To eliminate this phenomenon, it is enough to simply observe the rules of hygiene, which include:
- timely cleansing of the nose of mucus, which can be done with cotton buds;
- maintaining a normal temperature in the room, as well as humidity;
- preventing air drying out, especially during the heating season , when it is most likely;
- use of sprays for humidification of air or special devices - humidifiers.
In the absence of a cold
It happens that the nose is blocked in a child, but the release of a large amount of mucus (as in a cold) is not observed. The reasons in this case may be:
- injuries of the nasal septum due to the ingress of a foreign object;
- abnormalities in the structure of the nasopharynx cavity, which interferes with normal breathing, as well as the outflow of excess mucus;
- the formation of polyps that block the nasal passages.
When the nose is stuffed up, and the child does not have snot, mothers are often scared. It is difficult to independently determine the cause of this phenomenon. Therefore, in cases where a child has a stuffy nose without signs of a runny nose, it is necessary to show it to a specialist, since it is this condition in infants that is the most dangerous. A lack of air can provoke asphyxiation, suffocation, the development of adenoids and polyps.
For colds
The most common factor that provokes a situation in which a child has a stuffy nose is acute respiratory disease, and this symptom manifests itself in the first place, sometimes even before the remaining signs of a cold have manifested.
The main causes of nasal congestion in childhood:
- diseases of the ENT organs (tonsillitis, rhinitis, pharyngitis, etc.);
- allergic reactions;
- the formation of adenoids in the sinuses of the nose, which contribute to the development of puffiness, sinusitis or allergic rhinitis (with the totality of allergies to dust particles, animal hair, plant pollen, etc.);
If the nose is blocked, and the child does not have snot, and this lasts more than two weeks, then we can talk about the chronic course of the disease. The reasons for this may be:
- long-term use of vasoconstrictor medications for the common cold;
- proliferation of adenoids against colds;
- the development of concomitant infection of tissues in the nose, when in the absence of a runny nose certain purulent inflammations developed, for example, otitis media or sinusitis.
First aid for difficulty in nasal breathing in a child
When a child’s nose is very stuffy, you can take some urgent measures that will eliminate the manifestation of the disease before going to the doctor. However, they are not a treatment, since they only help to eliminate symptoms and free breathing.
When nasal crusts form, they must be removed. This can be done with a cotton swab or gauze swab dipped in water. Irrigation of the nose with saline or special sprays based on sea water is also recommended. The main goal of this event is to moisten the nasal mucosa so that the child can breathe easier. You need to do this in the evening, so that during sleep he can breathe with his nose and not his mouth, because this is the main factor in the formation of adenoids. So, if a child has a stuffy nose, what should I do?
The following medical supplies can be used for irrigation:
- "Aqualar";
- "Aquamaris";
- with persistent congestion lasting more than 2-3 days, vasoconstrictor drugs, such as Xylen, Rinostop or Nazivin, can be used.
Today in pharmacies there is a huge variety of drops in the nose from nasal congestion, as well as all kinds of essential oils and plasters. But the best solution would be to seek the appointment of a doctor.
If the reason that the child has a badly stuffy nose is any serious illness, these methods of treatment will only alleviate the condition, and not cope with it.
Elimination of nasal congestion in newborns
Panting and wheezing in infants provoke increased moodiness and refusal to eat. Perhaps the child caught a cold, which could happen in kindergarten or for a walk. A tendency to frequent colds is observed in children in the following cases:
- during teething;
- with a tendency to allergic reactions;
- with congenital malformations of the nose.
It’s unpleasant when a child’s nose is blocked at night. To quickly eliminate symptoms, you can take the following measures:
- Rinse your nose with saline (using a pipette or syringe).
- Rinse with chamomile infusion.
- Irrigate with special drugs that you can buy at the pharmacy.
When a baby is a month old and has a stuffy nose, it is necessary to rinse his nose very carefully, laying the baby on its side, since injecting solutions into the nose can provoke a fright in him, or the child may accidentally choke. Irrigating the nasal cavity is often necessary - up to 10 times a day, so that the mucous membrane is constantly in a moist state.
Elimination of nasal congestion in older children
So, the child has a nose block at night. If he already knows how to blow his nose, after such procedures it is advisable to do this to remove the mucus accumulated in the nasal passages and clean them.
You can use inhalation methods to combat shortness of breath, such as inhalation with the addition of eucalyptus oil. It is also advisable to use nebulizers with a nozzle for irrigation of the nose, which can be used in the treatment of children even during sleep.
What to do if a child has a stuffy nose and snot?
Drug treatment
If there is a strong nasal congestion and fever, then in most cases this indicates a viral infection. In this case, a medical solution to the problem is no longer enough. When ARVI specialists prescribe, as a rule, the following treatment:
- Antipyretic drugs, such as Nurofen or Paracetomol in the form of syrups.
- Antiviral agents, such as Vifiron in the form of rectal suppositories, others in liquid form for oral administration.
- Drops from a cold - “Nazivin”, “Isofra”, “Vibrocil”, etc. They are needed to eliminate swelling of the nasal passages and a possible bacterial infection in this area.
- To irrigate the mucous membrane and cleanse the nose of mucus, Aquamaris is prescribed.
- In some cases, for example, with the development of complications of acute respiratory viral infections in the form of bronchitis or laryngitis, it is possible to use antibiotics, such as Amoxiclav, Amoxicillin, Sumamed, etc.
- Without exception, doctors recommend that parents observe the regimen of plentiful drinking of a child, which is very important for such diseases. A large amount of fluid in the body leaches viruses and bacteria, and recovery occurs much faster.
How to treat when the snot and stuffy nose in a child? Not all mothers know this.
Medications for nasal congestion
Drops in the nose differ according to the algorithm of action and are hormonal, vasoconstrictive, moisturizing, anti-allergic and antibacterial.
The most common group are vasoconstrictive drops, with which you can quickly relieve congestion. They relieve swelling and constrict the vessels of the nasal passages, however, these funds can not be used for longer than a few days, because they are addictive, after which an even more dangerous disease develops - drug rhinitis.
How to treat when a child has a stuffy nose? This can be checked with your doctor.
Vasoconstrictor
The bulk of these funds is based on xylometazoline, which quickly removes the symptoms of nasal congestion and is not absorbed into the blood, which allows the substance to be widely used for treating children of childhood. Medications with this active substance include:
- "Galazolin";
- Otrivin;
- "Xilo-Meph";
- "For carrying";
- "Rinonorm";
- Xymelin
- Farmazolin.
Oxymethazoline-based drugs:
- "Nazivin";
- "Oxymetazoline";
- "Naphazoline";
- "Nazol";
- "Nazol";
- "Fazin";
- Advance.
Moisturizing drops
This type of medication for the nose aims to moisturize the mucous membrane, in the presence of factors of its drying out. These drugs include:
- "Aquamaris";
- "Physiomer";
- "Salin";
- "Aqualor";
- Quicks;
- "Marimer";
- Humer.
Medications for allergic congestion
When a child has a stuffy nose, what is the treatment? In allergic rhinitis, drugs that have an antihistamine and vasoconstrictor effect are used. They effectively relieve swelling and facilitate nasal breathing.
The means of this variety include:
- "Vibrocil";
- "Rinofluimucil";
- "Sanorin-Anallergin."
Hormone medications for congestion
In cases where all of the above drugs do not give the corresponding result, and the child has severe forms of vasomotor rhinitis, glucocorticosteroids can be prescribed to facilitate breathing. These medicines are most often available in the form of sprays and are hormonal. The advantage of these funds is that they have only a local effect and are not able to be absorbed into the blood, which does not violate the general hormonal background in the body. But before using such medications, you need to know about age restrictions and contraindications. Hormonal medicines are:
- Nazonex
- Avamis
- Bekonase;
- Flixonase
- "Tafen";
- "Nasobek."
These drugs, as a rule, are not used for a variety of fungal and bacterial rhinitis, since their side effect is to reduce local immunity, they can greatly aggravate the situation.
Antibacterial drops
If a child has a stuffy nose and this condition cannot be treated for five days or more, in cases where the mucus in the nose has a characteristic bacterial infection yellow and green, it is advisable to resort to local therapy with antibacterial medications. These drugs include:
- Isofra is a medicine based on the substance framycetin. Perhaps the use of this tool in children older than a year.
- "Polydex" is a complex drug based on polymyxin and neomycin. This medication is often used also for allergic rhinitis.
- “Albucid” is a medicine for treating eye diseases, but it is often used to treat bacterial rhinitis in children. This medication has been used since birth.
Folk remedies for nasal congestion in a small child
Alternative methods of treating such pathologies are no less effective than medications. Children from one year old can beetroot or carrot juice in their nose, as they contain antiseptic substances that inhibit the reproduction of the infection.
For the same purpose, plant juice is used - aloe and Kalanchoe, which should be instilled in the child's nose after washing. Well help infusions of herbs - chamomile, calendula and St. John's wort, with which you can rinse or irrigate the nasal passages.
What to do when a child has a stuffy nose? Now we know that.