Why does a child have a runny nose?
The most common cause is a viral infection: the mucous membrane swells, mucus production increases, and the body thus washes away the virus. The discharge is clear and watery at first, then thickens and may turn white, yellow or greenish - this is normal and not a sign of a bacterial infection. Other causes are allergic rhinitis with clear discharge, sneezing and itching, enlarged adenoids, dry air, and in children, a foreign body that gets into the nasal passage during play.
- Viral infections are the main cause
- Allergic rhinitis
- Adenoids
- Dry and dusty air
- Bacterial sinusitis
- Foreign body in the nose
- Irritation from tobacco smoke
How to properly clean your nose
The basis of treatment is saline solutions. For infants, a few drops of saline solution are instilled into each nostril, and then the contents are removed with an aspirator; do this conveniently before feeding and bedtime. Sprays are suitable for older children, and from the age when the child can blow his nose - rinsing. You need to blow your nose with each nostril in turn without straining too much, so that the mucus does not get into the auditory tube. Too frequent and aggressive pressure rinsing is not recommended, especially if you have ear pain.
- Saline solution or ready-made saline products
- Aspirator for infants before feeding and bedtime
- Sprays and rinses for older children
- Blow your nose one nostril at a time without straining
- Do not rinse under high pressure
- Raising the head of the bed while sleeping
- Humidification and ventilation of the room
Drops and medicines
Vasoconstrictor drops temporarily relieve swelling and help the child eat and sleep, but are used in a pediatric dosage and for a short course, usually no longer than 3-5 days: with longer use, addiction and medicinal rhinitis develop. Antibiotics are useless for a common runny nose, even if the discharge is green; they are needed only for confirmed bacterial sinusitis or otitis media. Plant drops, onion and garlic juices, and breast milk should not be placed in the nose - this irritates the mucous membrane and increases the risk of complications.
- Vasoconstrictor drops in pediatric dosage and short
- Do not use vasoconstrictors for longer than 3–5 days
- Antibiotics only for confirmed bacterial inflammation
- Hormonal sprays for allergies - as prescribed by a doctor
- Do not put onion juice, garlic juice or breast milk into your nose
- Do not use adult drops on children
- All medications are selected by the doctor
Persistent runny nose and adenoids
If the nose does not breathe for months, the child sleeps with his mouth open, snores, nasally and often suffers from otitis media, it is worth checking the adenoids - a growth of the nasopharyngeal tonsil. They are assessed by an ENT doctor during examination, including endoscopic examination. Adenoids do not always require surgery: in some cases, conservative treatment and observation helps, especially considering that after a certain age they decrease. Indications for surgery are determined by the doctor, focusing on sleep disordered breathing, hearing loss and frequent otitis media.
- Snoring and mouth breathing during sleep
- Nasality and constant congestion
- Frequent otitis media and hearing loss
- Examination by an ENT doctor, endoscopy if necessary
- Conservative treatment and observation
- Surgery for strict indications
- Control of the allergic component
Prevention and care
It is neither possible nor necessary to completely avoid a runny nose in a child attending a group: this is part of the formation of immunity. But it is possible to reduce the frequency and severity of episodes. Maintain cool, moist air, regularly ventilate and do wet cleaning, and eliminate smoking in the house. Teach your child to wash their hands and not touch their face. Drinking plenty of fluids and walking are beneficial. Immunostimulants with unproven effectiveness do not reduce the incidence, and flu vaccination is discussed with the pediatrician.
- Cool moist air and ventilation
- Wet cleaning and minimum dust collectors
- Stop smoking indoors
- Hand washing and hygiene skills
- Drinking plenty of water and walking
- Refusal of unproven immunostimulants
- Flu vaccination according to the pediatrician's decision