Phenomena of inflammation in the nasal cavity lead to the appearance of discharge from the nose. This condition in medicine is called rhinitis or runny nose in everyday life. Snot in a child is a fairly common occurrence, especially at an early preschool age. In its course, rhinitis in children is more often acute, less often chronic.
A runny nose (snot) in a child can appear as an independent disease or is a consequence of other inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx and respiratory tract, a viral or bacterial cause. A predisposing factor may be hypothermia, exposure to allergens or chemical irritants. In young children with acute rhinitis, both nasal passages are always involved in the pathological process.
Usually, the onset of the disease is manifested by the occurrence of a slight malaise. The child sneezes, complains of a sore throat. Transparent snot in a child appears in the initial period of the disease, usually with infections of viral etiology. In children, the inflammatory process, as a rule, spreads lower, into the nasopharynx, paranasal sinuses, and quite often the infection penetrates the middle ear, causing otitis media. Therefore, it is necessary to treat the appeared snot in a child, not letting things go by themselves. Uncomplicated runny nose disappears after about a week.
The fight against the common cold is, first of all, the fight against infection. In the initial period, heavy drinking is recommended, carrying out warming procedures, such as mustard plasters, on the chest, foot baths with warm water. With nasal congestion, they resort to the use of vasoconstrictor drugs for the common cold. Pharmacies offer many such drugs, such as "Nazivin", "Naphthyzine" in a children's dosage, "Nazol" and many others. But you should not overdo it with these drugs, so that addiction and possible atrophy of the mucous membrane do not arise. Vasoconstrictive drops from the common cold are used for no more than five to seven days. It is better if their use is combined with drops prepared on an oil basis ("Pinosol"). Such drugs soften the mucous membrane of the nasal passages and prevent it from drying out. The essential oils of fir and other herbs that are part of the composition have an antibacterial effect. An exception is allergic children. It is better to refuse the use of drugs based on medicinal herbs in children prone to allergic reactions.
For any rhinitis, the nasal passages should be washed with a weak saline solution. It can be sea water in the form of an aerosol or drops, as well as a saline solution prepared artificially. The procedure for irrigation of the mucous membrane must be performed several times a day, after having relieved the nose of mucus. Salt has a detrimental effect on pathogenic microorganisms.
A bacterial infection causes greenish and thick snot in a child. Treatment of such rhinitis should be carried out with antibacterial drugs. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed. Alkaline inhalation helps very well .
Of particular note are infants, in whom rhinitis almost always proceeds with the spread of the process to the trachea, larynx and bronchi. Very often the general state of health suffers and the temperature rises. The child becomes restless, due to breathing problems due to nasal congestion, he breathes through his mouth. This leads to drying out of the oral mucosa, the appearance of snoring. The principle of treatment for the common cold in infants is the same, except that they should not be prescribed drops with menthol and herbs.
Rhinitis of the chronic course is the result of poor treatment for acute rhinitis. It can also be in contact with allergens or other irritants. Allergic snot in a child does not cause a strong deterioration, the body temperature remains normal. In this case, take antihistamines and drops in the nose, and also try to protect the child as much as possible from contact with the allergen.
In most cases, the prognosis is favorable and the treatment given gives a positive result.