The happy time of motherhood has come. But at the same time with delight and bliss, parents have a lot of problems and worries. The first thing that newly minted mom and dad are worried about is the health of their child. Most children in the first year of life repeatedly suffer a runny nose. This phenomenon is not dangerous in itself. It is important only in time to start the correct therapy. The speed of recovery and the final outcome depend on it. Today's article will tell you about which drops from a cold a child up to a year can drip.
Runny nose and the nature of its origin
So, the nose was laid in the baby, and discharge from the nostrils appeared. A sensible mother, of course, will show the baby to the doctor. You can contact both the pediatrician and the otorhinolaryngologist. But some "experienced" parents are sent for some reason not to the clinic, but to the pharmacy. Is it possible to apply drops (for children up to a year) on their own? Of course not. After all, you cannot determine the cause of the common cold without a doctor. A runny nose in children of the first year of life can occur as a result of an infection (bacterial or viral), due to allergies, and also sometimes has a physiological character. A runny nose is not a disease in itself: it is a symptom.
The occurrence of the common cold is noted in several stages:
- reflex lasts only a few hours (blood vessels in the nose narrow, the child sneezes);
- catarrhal continues up to three days (swelling appears in the nose, the mucous membrane turns red, and there are also clear secretions);
- recovery (if a bacterial infection does not join, then the secreted secret thickens and gradually disappears).
Consider commonly used drops for children up to a year. Not everyone helps and not always from a cold. It is necessary to select a medication depending on the nature of the occurrence of this symptom.
Saline solutions for the nose
Pediatricians say: good drops for children up to a year from a cold are sterile solutions of isotonic sea water. You can buy them without a prescription in every pharmacy. The most popular trade names: “Aquamaris”, “Aqualor”, “Rinostop”, “Dolphin”, “Humer” and so on. Some of the preparations are in the form of a spray shower. Some are allowed from three months, others can be used from birth - pay attention to this.
Salt drops for children up to a year (from a cold) are used to cleanse and moisturize the nasal mucosa. They eliminate edema, prevent the further penetration of microorganisms. You can use such drugs an unlimited number of times. More often infants are administered 4-8 times a day. You can also use similar drugs for the purpose of prevention.
How to ease the baby’s breathing?
The following drops for children up to a year (from a runny nose), which are often prescribed by pediatricians, are vasoconstrictor formulations. They help relieve swelling, ease breathing. There is a feeling that the amount of mucus being separated is decreasing. It is worth noting that similar drugs are also available in the form of sprays, but you can use this form only after a year or two, and some after six years.
Frequently prescribed vasoconstrictor drops: Otrivin Baby, Nazol, Nazivin, Vibrocil and others. Note that most drugs can be used for 3-5 days. Drops of "Vibrocil" may be used no more than one week. Prolonged administration of vasoconstrictor drugs and their excessive use leads to drug rhinitis, which can be very dangerous for a small child.
Antiviral agents
Often prescribed antiviral drops for the common cold. For children under one year of age, these are drugs: “Grippferon”, “Genferon”, “Derinat” and some others. Such formulations will be effective in the early signs of the disease, when bacterial complication has not yet begun. It is worth noting that the use of antiviral agents halves the risk of pneumonia and bronchitis, as a consequence of the disease.
Antiviral drops are used strictly according to the instructions. The duration of their use can be from several days to a month. Medicines eliminate the growth of viruses and prevent the attachment of new microorganisms. Drops "Derinat" also have a regenerative effect, removing inflammation from the mucous membrane. Powder "Interferon" is no less popular. But to get drops from it, you need to add clean water, following the instructions.
Protargol, Collargol and Sialor: Safe Antiseptics
Effective drops for children up to a year from a cold are antiseptics prepared on the basis of silver ions. The most popular is Protargol. But its structural analogue “Sialor” can be more often found in pharmacies. The medicine "Collargol" is rarely prescribed when it is not possible to find the first two compounds.
Silver ion-based medications perfectly clean the baby’s nose and prevent the spread of infection. In addition, the compositions facilitate breathing, dry and reduce the amount of mucous secretion. It is important that the use of such drops for children up to a year from a cold is necessary as little as possible. Doctors are still not convinced of the complete safety of the medicine. Some pediatricians talk about the toxic effects of silver and the likelihood of its accumulation in the body.
Antibiotics and the need for their use
There are antibacterial drops for children up to a year from a cold. How to drip them and in what cases? It is advisable to use antimicrobial agents only after consulting a doctor. It is better if it will be an otorhinolaryngologist. Antibiotics are prescribed to children only according to indications, but not for the purpose of prevention. Often use Isofra. Less often prescribed drug "Polydex". It contains phenylephrine, which has an additional vasoconstrictor effect. According to the instructions, this medication is not used until 2-3 years, but doctors often violate this rule. The antibiotic "Dioxidin" is prescribed even less frequently. It is quite toxic, and often doctors try to replace it with oral antimicrobial agents.
All antibiotics must be used at a strictly set time. Early withdrawal of drugs leads to the establishment of resistance of microorganisms. Many caring mothers are afraid to give drugs to children for a long time, canceling them immediately after the first improvements. This action becomes a fatal mistake, since in the future the medicine becomes ineffective, and there is a need for the use of stronger drugs.
Immunomodulatory drugs
Often, doctors indiscriminately prescribe immunomodulating drops for children up to a year old (from a runny nose), and their effect is justified. After all, babies do not yet have strong immunity. Often, a common cold can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia. Especially often this happens in cold weather. The use of immunomodulating drops helps to form an immunity, prevents complications and accelerates the healing process.
Almost all antiviral agents described above can be attributed to such formulations. Also widely used is the drug "Irs-19." In its composition, the drug contains bacterial lysates, which contribute to the formation of immunity.
Self-made drops
Many mothers listen to the advice of friends and grandmothers, naively believing that natural and herbal remedies will be more effective and safe for the child. In fact, this is far from the case. Some of them (e.g. herbs) can cause severe allergies. Especially often this happens in children of the first year of life. Let's talk about some tools.
- Garlic and onion. These components have a strong antimicrobial effect. The squeezed juice is mixed with a few drops of oil and introduced into the spout. The feeling is not pleasant, so do not be surprised at the hysterical cry of your child.
- Aloe juice. One of the strongest antibiotics and antiviral agents, including an allergen. It causes burning and intense sneezing, thereby cleansing the nasal passages. But there are other ways ?!
- Decoctions of chamomile, eucalyptus, sage and other herbs. They cleanse the nose, promote wound healing, eliminate pathogenic flora. However, if used incorrectly, they can get into the ear canal and lead to otitis media. Is it dangerous!
Reviews and Opinions
Opinions about the described medicines among consumers are very different. Satisfied are those who turned to the doctor on time and received a qualified prescription. If you go through all the medicines described, then we can say the following.
- Moisturizing saline solutions are characterized on the good side. They help accelerate recovery, become an excellent safe prevention of infection.
- Vasoconstrictor medicines are used by parents where necessary and when not worth it. Moms and dads are sure that with such medicines they make the baby's breathing easier. In acceptable doses, yes.
- Antibiotics and immunomodulating medications. In most cases, in the treatment of a common cold, you can do without them, which many parents do. But when the snot tightens, then the use of such funds is justified.
- Antiviral drugs. Opinions about those are very diverse. Some parents are sure of their need, while others talk about the negative effects of drugs. Some mothers and fathers believe that the baby’s immunity should be formed by itself, without using any chemistry.
Summarize
From the article, you learned what drops are for children up to a year (from a cold). Species and trade names are provided for your reference. Remember that no parent is able to determine the nature of the origin of the common cold in a baby. Therefore, for the correct treatment, which does not entail complications, it is better to contact doctors. Good luck!