Nasal congestion in a child is a fairly frequent and common phenomenon. If the pathological process lasts a long time, then this negatively affects the general condition. Breasts with nasal congestion refuse to eat, as they have nothing to breathe during feeding, which leads to weight loss and weakness of the baby. In older children, sleep is disturbed, or they breathe through the mouth at night, which opens access to pathogens to the tonsils. In the end, this can lead to more serious health complications. Therefore, it is worthwhile to figure out if the child has a blocked nose, what to do to parents and how to alleviate the condition of the baby.
Causes
If the child’s nose does not breathe and there are no snot, then this indicates congestion, which prevents the baby from breathing normally. To eliminate it, it is important to find out the main reason that could provoke the pathological process. Nasal congestion is not a disease, but only a concomitant symptom indicating the initial development of pathology. If you do not identify a provoking factor, then it will appear regularly, causing serious discomfort to the child.
Common reasons:
- cold;
- infection;
- hypothermia;
- allergy;
- teething in combination with a bacterial infection;
- adverse environmental conditions;
- artificial feeding.
In addition to these reasons, to provoke nasal congestion, when the nose does not breathe in the child and there are no snot, for a long time other factors can:
- Congenital curvature of the nasal septum.
- A bruise that provoked damage to the nasal septum.
- Foreign body in the sinus of the nose.
- Adenoids or polyps.
- Congenital malformations of the respiratory system.
If only at night the baby’s nose is blocked, and breathing is normal during the day, then the reason for this is dry air in the room where he sleeps. Therefore, parents should pay attention to any manifestation of congestion, which may ultimately establish a correct diagnosis for the doctor and find a trigger factor.
The child’s nose is blocked, what should I do?
There are many ways to deal with a problem. But since it is much more difficult to treat congestion in a child than in an adult, not all treatment methods can be used.
Initially, you should contact a pediatrician who can prescribe the following types of treatment:
- drug therapy;
- regular washing of the nose;
- inhalation.
Drug treatment
This method of treatment involves the use of drugs to eliminate the root cause of congestion. If the pathological process is caused by an allergy, then the doctor prescribes additional antihistamines to reduce inflammation of the mucosa.
Most often, vasoconstrictors are used to eliminate congestion, helping to narrow blood vessels. In addition, they eliminate swelling of the mucosa, improve breathing. A positive effect is noticeable within a few minutes after spraying the product. The advantage of nasal sprays and drops is that they act pointwise at the spray sites. Therefore, the active component is not able to be absorbed into the blood in large quantities, which means that it does not adversely affect the baby's body. Use this type of medication for no more than 5 days, as this can lead to the opposite effect of therapy.
If a child has a stuffy nose, how can I treat it? This can only be determined by a doctor on the basis of an examination and a survey of parents. Self-medication can lead to complications.
The most common vasoconstrictor for children is the Dosnos. The release form of the drug can be in the form of a spray (from 6 years) and drops (up to 6 years), so you can choose the most suitable option.
"For the nose" for children: instructions for use
Drops and spray of the drug are intended for intranasal administration:
- Spray 0.1% (from 6 years). If the child has a stuffy nose and no snot, it is necessary to inject funds up to 4 times a day. To perform the procedure correctly, it is recommended to hold the bottle with the medicine vertically, so that its nozzle is directed upwards. Insert the nebulizer gently into the nostril and press down sharply, after that take out the nozzle without opening it. This will allow an even distribution of the solution on the nasal mucosa. Repeat the procedure with the other sinus.
- Drops 0.05% (up to 6 years). The drug is injected into each nasal cavity in 1-2 drops with a pipette. The regularity of use is no more than 3 times a day. Use to eliminate congestion no more than 5 days.
Vasoconstrictor drops should be considered as an addition to the main treatment. They help alleviate the condition of the child and improve airflow through the nose. But this group of drugs is not able to cope with the root cause.
If the child has a blocked nose and drops do not help, you can help the baby with home washes.
Sinus flushing
This therapeutic method should be used if the child’s nose is constantly clogged, and not just at night. The procedure helps to improve air flow and reduces swelling of the mucosa.
Washing the sinuses helps to remove dust and allergens, therefore, this procedure is recommended by pediatricians for preventive purposes, which reduces the likelihood of developing diseases.
For the procedure, special solutions should be used, which can be purchased at the pharmacy or prepared at home. The components included in their composition contribute to uniform moistening of the nasal cavity and prevent the appearance of microcracks through which the infection can enter the child's body. But before using this method of eliminating congestion, you should familiarize yourself with the rules for its implementation, as well as study the existing restrictions.
Contraindications to the procedure
There are certain situations when nose washing is not recommended.
The main contraindications:
- complete obstruction of the nasal canals;
- neoplasms on the nasal mucosa;
- congenital or acquired deformation of the nasal septum;
- otitis;
- predisposition to bleeding.
To exclude the presence of complications in the child, you should visit the otolaryngologist.
Rinse Aids
For washing the nose in a child, you can use different types of funds. Each of them applies depending on the complexity of the problem.
Types of solutions:
- Boiled water. This component is used when the child’s breathing through the nose is disturbed due to dried crusts. Therefore, there is no need to use special saline solutions.
- Sterile saline. The tool is used for colds, allergies, sinusitis. Saline can be purchased at the pharmacy. In fact, it is a salt solution based on sodium chloride. The product is available in ordinary glass containers, so for washing, you must additionally purchase a pipette.
- Solutions of sea water. The advantage of the product is that in addition to salt, it contains minerals that improve the hydration of the nasal mucosa and the function of small capillary vessels in it. In addition, this solution relieves swelling, inflammation and has an antiseptic property.
- Special sprays based on sea salt. This group of drugs is available in 2 types: isotonic and hypertonic. In the first case, the salt concentration in the solution is 0.9%, which is as close as possible to the blood plasma. Therefore, the use of isotonic sprays is recommended both for the treatment of nasal congestion and as a prophylaxis. They help restore and maintain mucosal function. In the second case, the salt concentration reaches 2.1%. Therefore, it is recommended to use hypertonic sprays or drops purely to eliminate congestion, when the child's nose is clogged and does not blow. They effectively relieve swelling, thin the mucus and contribute to its excretion, and also have bactericidal properties.
In addition to the listed funds, it is possible to use decoctions of medicinal herbs (chamomile, calendula), Furacilin, soda, iodine, Miramistin for washing. But the use of these components should be coordinated with the pediatrician, since only a doctor can determine the degree of risk for the child.
Nasal lavage in infants
Before proceeding with the procedure, you should understand how to wash the nose of the child at home, depending on his age.
To eliminate congestion in the baby, you need to be patient. Therefore, pediatricians are advised to conduct a therapeutic procedure when the child is in a good mood, this will help reduce discomfort.
Sequencing:
- Lay the baby on his back.
- Prepare cotton flagella, after moistening them in boiled water.
- Clean them (as far as possible) of the nasal cavity.
- To instill in each nostril 1 drop of a solution based on sea salt.
- Wait a few minutes until the liquid dissolves the crust in depth.
- Using a special aspirating pear, pull out the soaked contents.
The procedure can be repeated no more than 3-4 times a day for a week. For infants, you can use both drops and sprays based on sea salt. Many of them are sold complete with a soft nozzle, which prevents deep introduction.
Children up to two years old
The procedure for washing the nose is much easier if the child is already confidently holds his head and stands on his feet. At this age, the baby is already aware that this procedure brings relief and improves breathing through the nose.
Washing is carried out as follows:
- Place the child in front of the basin so that he is purely upright and tilts his head slightly forward.
- To clean both nasal passages with cotton swabs dipped in boiled water, so that all crusts can soften.
- Put the prepared saline into a soft pear or syringe without a needle.
- Guide the tip into the nostril and gradually drain the fluid without pressure.
- The baby's mouth should be open during the procedure.
- Repeat the procedure with the other nostril, not allowing the child to raise his head.
- At the end of washing, ask the child to blow his nose, alternately pinching one or the other nasal passage.
When the baby gets used to the therapeutic procedure, the stream of solution can be made a little stronger. Do not forget to reward the child with a new toy or delicious treat. This will smooth out the unpleasant associations of the baby.
Flushing nose for schoolchildren
Conducting a nose wash for children of school age is not particularly difficult. They can already explain the importance of this procedure and the need for its implementation.
To clean the nasal cavity, it is recommended to use special teapots with a long nose. Saline is poured into this container. The child should stand in front of the washbasin, tilting his head slightly to the side and forward. The tip of the teapot is inserted into the upper nasal cavity and fluid is gradually poured out. Thus, the nose is completely washed out, as the solution will pour out from the other nostril.
Repeat the procedure if the nose is stuffed in the child and there are no snot, it is necessary at least 3-4 times a day, alternating sinuses alternately.
Inhalation
If the child has a stuffy nose, what to do and how to help the baby if there is no possibility to rinse? In this case, inhalation can be used. This method of therapy is based on warming the upper respiratory tract. It can be used only by agreement with the doctor, when the main cause of prolonged congestion is precisely established.
For inhalation, you must purchase a special device in the pharmacy - a nebulizer. This will greatly simplify the procedure. The temperature of the saline solution should be 37-38 degrees. The child should bend over the device and breathe into it for about 10 minutes.
Repeat inhalation is recommended every 3-4 hours.
Preventative measures
If the child has a stuffy nose, what to do in this situation has already been figured out. It remains to get acquainted with some rules of prevention that will help prevent the reoccurrence of congestion:
- Ventilate the premises regularly, as well as humidify the air in the baby's room. This is especially true in the winter when heating appliances are working.
- If an allergic cause of congestion is identified, use antihistamines in particularly dangerous periods of the year in advance.
- Timely treat ENT diseases so that the pathology could not develop into a chronic form.
- Walk regularly in the fresh air.
- Clothing should be selected according to the weather so that the child does not get cold or overheat.
- The baby should drink enough water so that the nasal mucosa does not dry out.
The child has a stuffy nose. What to do? The main thing for parents in this situation is not to panic and not to experiment with unverified methods, since the baby can not always tell himself about his problem. Only a careful attitude to the health of the child and the necessary care will help the baby recover quickly. And also it is worth remembering that any medications and therapeutic procedures should be used on the recommendation of a doctor.