The child has a prolonged runny nose: causes and treatment methods

Many parents are faced with such a problem in children as a runny nose. Snot appears in children due to the fact that immunity is not yet sufficiently strengthened, and any infection immediately clings to the baby, blocking primarily the nasal passages. What to do if a child has a long runny nose? What is its cause and what methods to treat? Consider this article.

Symptoms and stages of rhinitis in children

If the nasal mucosa is healthy, it is a barrier to pathogens. Often, the protective functions of the mucosa are reduced, especially under adverse conditions. A runny nose occurs in a baby when infections penetrate the mucous membrane and begin to actively multiply there.

Rhinitis often occurs in children due to some features of a growing organism:

• the baby’s immune system is formed up to ten years, until this age it can not actively resist viruses and bacteria;
• the nasal passages in children are narrow, the cavities are small, and with the slightest formation of swelling, nasal congestion occurs;
• babies still do not know how to blow their nose, bacteria that remain on the wall and dried up mucus actively multiply (this becomes the cause of a prolonged runny nose in a child).

Most often, a runny nose goes through three main stages: irritation, serosity and the appearance of mucopurulent discharge. The first stage is accompanied by dry nose, burning, possibly a slight increase in temperature. At the second stage, mucus in the nose begins to actively form, congestion and lacrimation occur. The third stage, which appears on days 4-5, manifests itself brightly. On blowing a mucus, a yellowish-green hue with an unpleasant odor is released.

Most often, the third stage is final, lasts only a couple of days and the symptoms begin to subside. At this stage, and for a speedy recovery, it is important to use local medicines, for example, the children's Tizin, which will kill the hotbed of pathogenic microbes in the nose and relieve swelling.

In addition, the use of a drop will protect the baby from complications, because an infection from the nasal cavity can easily penetrate inside, infecting the throat and upper respiratory tract. Prolonged nasal congestion can also lead to hypoxia, that is, oxygen starvation, as the baby’s breathing through the nose is blocked.

Types and causes of the common cold in a child

Specialists divide the common cold in children into several types, which differ in the method of therapy depending on the causes.

Types of rhinitis:

1. Acute. It occurs most often, accompanied by SARS or a cold. The cause may be viruses, sometimes bacteria and fungi. Subcooling, temperature changes, dirty air, sinusitis or the presence of adenoids can cause snot. It develops rapidly, accompanied by a headache.
2. Chronic. A bit like an acute form, but the symptoms are not so pronounced. Nasal breathing is disturbed gradually, first it lays one passage, then another. The voice may change. The cause of the development of a protracted viral rhinitis is untreated acute rhinitis, hormonal and endocrine disorders, bronchial asthma.
3. Chronic hypertrophied. Nasal breathing is difficult constantly and for a long time. At the same time, the baby suffers from a headache, may not smell, and even lose hearing quality. This form occurs due to inflammatory processes that affect the sinuses, maxillary passages and tonsils located in the throat.
4. Atrophic. It rarely occurs in babies, accompanied by an unpleasant smell of mucus secreted from the nose. Possible nosebleeds due to the formation of dry crusts on the walls. If the pathology is started, the nose may be deformed due to the compaction of the bone part. This effect is called a duck nose.
5. Nonspecific (vasomotor) rhinitis in children. This form of the common cold can appear even in healthy children, since it is not caused by viruses or bacteria. Rhinitis of this form is of two types: allergic and neurovegetative. The first option can have both seasonal and year-round form, as it occurs under the influence of certain allergens. The second type is associated with disorders of the central and peripheral parts of the nervous system. Disruptions in the thyroid gland can also provoke it.
6. Medication. It occurs against the background of abuse of drugs for narrowing of blood vessels. As a result of prolonged exposure to a drop or spray, the mucous membrane swells and atrophies.
7. Traumatic. It occurs due to mechanical damage to the septum in the nose. Often accompanied by profuse discharge from one nasal passage.

In what cases should I urgently consult a doctor?

On average, a runny nose in a child does not last more than ten days. If it drags on for a longer time, we can talk about a chronic cold in a child. It is important in this case not only to choose the right treatment, but also to identify the root cause of the pathology. To do this, you should still consult a doctor.

Symptoms, the appearance of which is worth contacting a specialist:

• A runny nose that lasts more than two weeks (bacteria can cause it to develop).
• Rhinitis is accompanied by severe headache or ear pain, in which case a runny nose can provoke the development of meningitis, sinusitis or otitis media (antibiotics are often prescribed for prolonged runny nose in children with such symptoms).
• Bloody discharge appeared, and the general condition of the baby worsened (this may indicate diphtheria of the nose).

Treatment

A prolonged runny nose in a child appears more often than in an adult. This is provoked, first of all, by weak immunity, narrow nasal passages, lack of glands that cope with infections and allergens. In the absence of therapy, rhinitis in a baby can last up to a month. Then it becomes chronic, and complications arise.

Doctors approach the treatment of rhinitis in children comprehensively, several methods are used at once:

• lavage of the nasal passages;
• inhalation;
• vasoconstrictor drops for a certain period to avoid addiction;
• taking vitamins in courses;
• treatment of other diseases, if any.

Young mothers are often asked how to cure a long runny nose in a child up to a year in which teeth are cut. In this case, only washing up to six times a day will help. The drugs that are used can be in the form of drops, or in the form of a spray.

It also helps with a cold, regardless of the cause of its occurrence, the creation of a certain microclimate in the room. It is important to carry out wet cleaning in the room where the child is located daily, to maintain the temperature not higher than +23 ° and not lower than +21 ° , the room should also be often ventilated. All this will positively affect the microcirculation in the nasal passages.

With a runny nose, if there is no high temperature, you can and should walk in the fresh air, regardless of weather conditions, experts say.

Drug therapy

It is worth approaching with caution when choosing a medication for children with a cold. It is important not only to relieve inflammation and minimize the possible risk of complications, but also to use those products that will not have a significant impact on the health of the child’s body. Therapy should be as effective as possible, but safe.

Remedies for prolonged runny nose in children are classified into groups:

Vasoconstrictors (decongestants) - relieve increased swelling of the mucosa, due to which nasal congestion is removed, but they do not affect the cause (virus or infection). They are divided into groups: drugs with naphazoline ("Sanorin", "Naphthyzine"), with xylometazoline ("Otrivin", "Xylen"), with oxymetazoline ("Nazol", "Nazivin", "Afrin"). These drugs are often prescribed for children to instill at night, the duration of therapy is no more than a week. Nazonex has a good anti-edematous property; children with prolonged runny nose with stuffiness can be prescribed in courses. For example, a few weeks before the appearance of allergic rhinitis on pollen. It is important to clarify the dose with the doctor, as well as familiarize yourself with contraindications.

Softening and moisturizing. These are drugs based on sea water, which are also prescribed as a prophylaxis for babies to wash their spouts. They can be used up to 4 times a day, there are no side effects and age restrictions. The most popular products are Aqua Maris, Marimer and Aqualor.

Antihistamines. Most often prescribed for children with allergic and vasomotor forms of rhinitis. It can be syrups, drops and sprays ("Erius", "Vibrocil" and "Nosefrin").

Antiseptic. They have an antimicrobial effect, are prescribed for infectious rhinitis. But their prolonged use can overdry the mucous membrane and lead to a decrease in local immunity. Such drugs are distinguished here: Dekasan, Miramistin and Sialor.

Antibacterial. They are prescribed for bacterial rhinitis, have immunomodulatory and immunostimulating properties. Not prescribed without a doctor Here you can distinguish the drug "Kipferon" with a runny nose caused by bacteria, "Isofra", "Toradex" and "Bioparox".

Phytotherapeutic methods

In the treatment of the common cold in children, especially that which proceeds in an acute form, physiotherapy is of great importance. The most famous and used method is inhalation. This procedure helps to moisturize the mucous membrane, thin the mucus and actively release it.

Experts do not recommend breathing over boiled potatoes, as this can lead to a burn of the mucous membrane or sensitive skin of the baby. Assigned to children with a runny nose inhalation with saline, sea salt solution with the addition of essential oils.

Another effective physiotherapeutic method is KUF-therapy, when treatment is carried out using ultraviolet rays. As a result of exposure directly to the focus of infection, all pathogenic microbes are eliminated. It is most often prescribed for vasomotor and infectious rhinitis in especially severe cases when it is necessary not only to remove the inflammatory process and reduce manifestations, but also to increase local immunity. In addition, this procedure promotes the production of melanin and vitamin D. It is prescribed for frequent rhinitis in children, but is not performed at elevated temperatures.

There is also UHF therapy, which is carried out using an electric current of high or ultrahigh frequency. It is prescribed to reduce pain in the acute course of the disease and to reduce swelling. Such a physiotherapeutic procedure is combined with drug treatment.

How to cure a runny nose for a child quickly at home?

Medicines in the form of drops or spray can not be used for a long time. But what if the snot in the child does not go away, how to alleviate the condition of the baby? For this, folk methods are effectively and actively used.

Folk remedies for rhinitis:

Garlic juice and oil. This miracle remedy can cure a child’s common cold quickly at home. The juice is squeezed out using a garlic mill, then a couple drops of vegetable or olive oil are added to the resulting mass. The resulting drops should be left to stand for 12 hours, only then apply. The method causes slight tingling, it is used in children from five years old.

Aloe juice and water. Take 2 fresh leaves of aloe and squeeze juice out of them. Then dilute it with water in a ratio of 1:10, instill in each nostril a few drops up to five times a day.

Herbal decoctions and soda as inhalations. Soda - this is exactly the alkali that helps with severe nasal congestion or severe stagnation of mucus. For this, 4 tbsp. Are dissolved in boiling water. l soda, you need to let it boil for a couple of minutes. Then the pan is covered with a towel, and the child breathes for up to 10 minutes. It is also useful to breathe decoctions of herbs such as mint, chamomile, eucalyptus.

Foot baths with essential masses and mustard. In the absence of temperature and in the case of an acute form of rhinitis, baths help well. For example, instead of using the children's “Tizin”, which can become addictive after 5-7 days of use, it’s easy, comfortable and convenient for a child to soar legs. To do this, dry mustard is dissolved in warm water. It does not bake and does not cause itching; moreover, the baby likes such yellow water. It is important to periodically add hot water, taking the baby's legs out of the pelvis in advance, as it should not cool down. They also make baths with essential oils.

What will happen if you do not treat a runny nose in a child?

Many are sure that a runny nose is not a serious disease, that it can not be treated, because it itself will pass after some time. However, it should be understood that the nose performs several important functions in the body. It not only helps a person breathe and distinguish smells, but also serves as a kind of barrier to various viruses and germs. In addition, the nose is involved in the formation of speech, because with stuffiness a nasal voice appears.

If the child has a long runny nose, this can lead to unpleasant consequences in the absence of therapy, which are as follows:

• disturbances in the work of the upper respiratory tract and cardiovascular system;
• deformation of the chest and oval of the face (with nasal congestion, the child breathes through the mouth, which slightly modifies the facial skeleton);
• inattention appears, and the quality of memory decreases (this is due to a lack of oxygen that enters the body naturally, that is, through nasal breathing);
• lag in physical development;
• sleep disturbance.

In addition, frequent rhinitis in a child can lead to the development of bronchial asthma and other allergic diseases. As a result of a violation of the function of the nose, namely breathing, cilia on the mucosa cease to do their job. Thus, the baby's body becomes less protected from exposure to allergens. Untreated runny nose or lack of therapy, for example, with vasomotor rhinitis in children, can lead to its transition to a chronic form, the development of sinusitis or otitis media. Then you can’t do without taking antibiotics.

Prevention

In order to prevent the frequent appearance of rhinitis in a child, it is worth resorting to preventive measures. They consist in strengthening the immune system in general, as well as local immunity. It is important, whenever possible, to exclude or minimize the baby’s contacts with allergens, and also to refuse visits to public places during an influenza epidemic.

In the autumn-winter period, it is worth giving the child vitamins, smearing the nasal passages with ointments with antiviral activity, or using essential oils for this.

Also, parents should understand that a runny nose is a disease that needs to be combated, because the infection can go down. Often after a runny nose, the child's throat becomes inflamed, and bronchitis develops. In this case, Suprax is prescribed to the child from a prolonged runny nose and cough, which affects both infections in the nose and germs that have fallen in the upper respiratory tract. It is important in this case not to start the course of the disease, but in time to seek help from a specialist.

Output

A prolonged runny nose in a baby can occur due to exposure to viruses, bacteria or allergens. It is important to treat diseases comprehensively. This includes strengthening local and general immunity with vitamins and proper nutrition, drug therapy and folk remedies to combat rhinitis. In rare cases, antibiotics are prescribed to treat long-term rhinitis. But they are selected depending on the form of the disease, the causes of its occurrence and the age of the baby. Do not resort to antibiotic treatment yourself. This can lead to the development of side effects and unpleasant complications.

Also, do not start the disease, since in the absence of treatment, the inflammatory process drops lower, it contributes to disruption of the upper respiratory tract.