How to cure a runny nose in a child: ways and means

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The warmest and most sincere feeling in the world is mother's love. Since our birth, she has been taking care of us and trying to protect us from everything. First, the baby's immunity is strengthened by breast milk, then the baby gradually begins to get used to the outside world. Eat cereals, get up on your feet, walk without a mother's hand. But, unfortunately, the child is not protected from various diseases, such as SARS, acute respiratory infections or influenza. All these ailments are accompanied by various unpleasant symptoms. For example, unbearable sore throat, high fever and runny nose. It is the latter that we will talk about today.

What is a runny nose?

The medical name for the common cold is acute coryza. This is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa. It appears not only with colds and viral diseases, but also with allergies. By itself, a runny nose is a protective property of the body, which is aimed at fighting viruses. Most often, it acts as a symptom of a developing disease, but sometimes it can also be an ailment itself. ATIn our rhythm of life, a runny nose in a child is a common occurrence. It brings discomfort and pain not only to the baby, but also to the mother. Especially if a runny nose is accompanied by a sore throat and fever.

To figure out how to cure a runny nose in a child, you need to familiarize yourself with its causes. Then the treatment will be fast and of high quality, and the baby will become he althy and calm.

Sometimes the cause of a child's bad mood is quite difficult to determine, and this, in turn, can serve as a serious signal. Parents do not always notice shortness of breath, redness of the eyes and mucous membrane of the child. If at an early stage to determine the nasal congestion in a child, then the treatment will not drag on for a long time. Also, you should always keep in mind that the children's body in the early stages quite painfully endures even the mildest cold.

Causes of a runny nose in a child

Most colds and viral diseases are accompanied by acute rhinitis. But what if it's not a cold or a virus? In this case, you will first have to find the root of the disease and apply the correct treatment. Let's see what are the causes of a runny nose in a child.

• Rhinovirus is a virus that contains ribonucleic acid. It is he who is the culprit of such diseases as pharyngitis, rhinitis, bronchitis. As a result of improper treatment, bronchial asthma or chronic bronchitis develops.
• Adenovirus is a disease of the upper respiratory tract. Is the causative agent of conjunctivitis, otitis media, tonsillitis.
• Other diseases of the SARS group.
• Hypothermia of the body, accompanied by fever, decreased immunity and loss of strength.
• Allergy. Often, in addition to a runny nose, there is a high temperature, redness of the skin, rash and itching.
• Medicated rhinitis is a side effect that occurs after starting treatment with certain drugs.
• Sinusitis - inflammation in the paranasal sinuses. Most often it is the result of SARS or scarlet fever.
• Sinusitis is a disease that is accompanied by serious lesions of the sinuses. Difficult to treat.

How a runny nose develops in a child

An adult has been sick more than once and knows what a runny nose is and how it appears. And when this happens in a child, there is no way to track it. After all, it is unlikely that a one-year-old baby will tell you that he has rhinitis. The development of this disease is divided into phases.

The first phase lasts several hours. An uncomfortable sensation in the form of a burning sensation appears in the nose, the nasal mucosa swells, and the vessels narrow. The baby constantly tries to sneeze and wants to cry. All this is accompanied by a headache in the morning, fatigue, and malaise.

Second phase. Vessels expand, reddening of the edges of the nose occurs, the sense of smell disappears, nasal congestion appears. The child sneezes all the time. Clear mucus begins to flow from the nose.

Third (last) phase. If the diagnosis is made in time and correctly and treatment is started, then the third stage will not come. At this moment there aremucus discharge with green ulcers. Severe congestion of the nasal passages to the point that the child breathes through the mouth. Headaches get worse.

Cold rhinitis in a child with strong immunity and with the right treatment of the disease lasts from 4 to 6 days. It usually ends in the second phase. However, with a serious illness and the wrong approach to treating a runny nose in a child for up to a month, it is extended in a matter of seconds. And sometimes it can become chronic. And then it will already be a prolonged runny nose in a child, which will greatly undermine the baby's immunity.

Allergic rhinitis develops differently. It almost immediately goes into the second phase. After contact with the allergen, swelling of the nose begins, transparent discharge appears, itching and sneezing begin. Sometimes fever and headache are present.

Ways to treat rhinitis in babies

Treatment of the common cold in children is a very delicate thing. Rhinitis can go away on its own if the baby has strong immunity. But otherwise, you will have to suffer for a long time if you do not start the right treatment on time.

The most effective and necessary means in the fight against the common cold are various drops, sprays and inhalation. These three types of drugs do an excellent job with a slight runny nose. It is also worth considering the age category of many drugs, since adult or adolescent sprays and drops can harm the child's mucous membrane.

Drops

These are vasoconstrictors that, whenentering the nasal cavity facilitates breathing. The effect lasts from six to twelve hours. They contain the active substance - oxymetazoline. It is he who has a vasoconstrictive effect. The method of application is quite simple - throwing your head back, you need to drip a few drops into each sinus of the nose.

Spray

The composition does not differ at all from drops. Its difference is only in the method of application and speed of action. When spraying the drug into the nasal passage, the particles settle over the entire surface of the sinus. Bring relief many times faster than drops.

Inhalations

Children are sometimes difficult to explain the benefits of drugs for the common cold. They protest and are offended if they are forcibly dripped into their noses. It is rare that a baby will agree to drip drops or a spray, because the body reacts aggressively when liquid enters the nose. Likewise, your baby will react to foreign fluid in his nose, even if it helps him heal.

But conducting inhalations is a rather simple and pleasant thing. There are two types of inhalers: steam-moist and aerosol. At the pharmacy, you can buy a special remedy for the common cold for children, which is added to the inhaler. Then all this is poured with boiling water, and the baby breathes over the hot steam. The second version of the device is more compact, and you can take it with you: a small cold inhaler for children, inside of which there is a medicinal substance that, when pressed, is sprayed into the sinuses.

This is the most basic cold remedy. Essential oils are added to some types of preparations for relaxation.organism. All these funds can be used for no more than a week. If after seven days the child does not get a runny nose, you need to see a doctor in order to avoid serious consequences and complications.

Also don't forget to drink antipyretics containing paracetamol. It lowers body temperature, relieves the symptoms of sore throat, nasal congestion and headache. In addition, this drug can be used in children from the first days of life. So, if your child is 2 years old, he has a runny nose, a scratchy throat and a fever starts, you can safely give him paracetamol in syrup. But be sure to read the instructions inside the package.

Alternative medicine

If you do not want to saturate the baby's body with chemicals, then folk remedies for the treatment of rhinitis in children are suitable for you. But in no case do not self-medicate, be sure to coordinate all actions with the pediatrician. Let's go back a few centuries ago, when there were no special drops and sprays. How did our ancestors treat a runny nose?

One of the most effective methods in the fight against rhinitis is the warming of the airways. The same steam inhalations, but not with medicines, but with boiled potatoes. Everyone knows this trick. He came to us from a distant childhood. When a pot with freshly boiled potatoes is placed on the table, and the child lowers his head over it, covers himself with a thick cloth and inhales the steam deeply. But attention, the main thing is to follow this process so that the baby does not burn the respiratory tract and does not burn the face. Potatoes can be replaced with a decoction of various herbs, such as chamomile. She also calms the nervoussystem.

The above technique is suitable if a runny nose is treated for a child aged 3 years and older. He already more or less understands what is hot and what should not be touched. But what if your baby is younger and not yet smart? Everything is simple. Aloe juice is very popular in folk medicine. It must be mixed with boiled water in a ratio of 1: 3 and instilled into the baby's sinuses 3-4 drops 3 times a day. This remedy is perfect in the treatment of a runny nose in a child aged 1 year and older.

An excellent folk way to treat rhinitis is to wash the nasal passages. This is done simply, but unpleasantly. This method perfectly cleanses the respiratory system, preventing mucus from drying up in the sinuses. The most effective solution will be a mixture of one liter of boiled water and one tablespoon of sea s alt. But remember that such a tool is suitable for children who have reached the age of three. Very young children have no control over the constriction of the throat, and fluid can enter the lungs.

Another folk trick that has survived to this day. Dial a basin of water, the temperature of which is above 40 degrees. Be careful not to burn your baby. Add eucalyptus, lemon or tea tree essential oils to the water and dip your child's feet in the water. On top of the baby you need to throw a warm blanket or blanket. When the baby sweats, take your feet out of the water, wipe them off and put on woolen socks. And then march under the covers! But such a procedure cannot be performed if the child has a temperature above 37 degrees.

Treatment of allergic rhinitis inbaby

In this case, everything is easier. Give your child an antihistamine to help with allergies. It is advisable, if there is an itch, to anoint the places with a rash with a special ointment so that the baby does not scratch the skin. To relieve the symptoms of an allergic rhinitis, wipe the baby's body with a solution of chamomile to calm and soften the child's nervous system. And keep a close eye on allergy symptoms. If within a couple of hours after taking the antihistamine, the allergy does not go away, call an ambulance or go to the hospital. After all, anaphylactic shock can suddenly appear, which is a threat to human life.

Complications

They can appear both in case of incorrect and in case of correct treatment of rhinitis. Unfortunately, no one is immune from the side effects of these diseases. To be fully prepared, we will look at the most common complications after a cold.

• Otitis media - inflammation of the ear, can become chronic.
• Bronchitis or pneumonia. Very complex diseases, quite difficult to treat. Especially for babies.
• Bronchial asthma. A very unpleasant disease that complicates the ordinary life of a small child. The inhaler becomes "best friend".
• Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. One of the most disgusting and dangerous complications.
• Deterioration of memory, vision, general malaise - is created due to the fact that oxygen did not enter the brain for a long time. Hence the many complications.

Recommendations

If your baby has an upper respiratory tract infection, there are a few important things to keep in mind.

• Be sure to ventilate the room where the baby sleeps more often. Fresh air will push the virus out of the room, and the child will not be infected in a circle.
• Drink more fluids. During the fight against the virus, the body is depleted. Therefore, he needs water more than ever.
• Get a blood test for allergens. It's best to know in advance what your child might be allergic to.
• Eat more fruits. Vitamins strengthen the immune system. And for young children, this is very important, it is the growing body that needs protection from bacteria.
• Be hardened. It is better from a young age to accustom the baby to cool douches and other procedures that harden the body.
• Make sure that your child does not freeze during a walk. Often children do not talk about it, due to the fact that they want to spend more time on the street. Check the tip of your nose and hands, if they are cold go home immediately.
• If you are not allergic to citrus fruits, eat more oranges, lemons and grapefruits. They contain a large amount of vitamin C. And it helps to strengthen the immune system.

All these common rules will help you avoid a serious cold or other illness with a runny nose. Yes, and it will be great if the baby from childhood can learn to monitor their he alth.

Such a folk method as "honey pat" from a cold in a child received very good reviews. This is a rather old, but proven way to treat various forms of the common cold and cough. Before starting the procedure, it is best to take a bath and a hot shower so that the skin is slightly steamed. Three tablespoons of honey are heated in a water bath. Then they are smeared on the palm of the parent. With light pats, honey is applied to the chest and back of the baby until the mixture becomes whitish. After that, the child's body is wiped, the baby is dressed in warm clothes and placed under a blanket. This warms up all the respiratory tract, and in addition, honey moisturizes and nourishes the skin of the body. This is a great alternative to mustard plasters, which can easily burn your baby's delicate skin.

Conclusion

Any mother will be very worried about her child, who suffers from a cold. Timely noticed rhinitis is easily treatable and does not create complications. All of the above methods are very effective and effective in the treatment of rhinitis in children. But it is worth remembering that each little man needs his own specific approach. And someone may not be helped by a method that worked on another baby. Therefore, you do not need to self-medicate, especially if it concerns your child. By contacting a pediatrician in time, you can not only competently cure a runny nose, but also prevent its occurrence. Although sometimes the child should get sick, this strengthens his immunity and makes him resistant to colds. And some diseases are better to be ill in childhood, such as chickenpox. At a young age, it is much easier to tolerate than in adulthood.

And most importantly - eat right, temper yourself, eat more vitamins and do not scold your baby. All this is very important in the development ofchild's personality and the right attitude to life. We really hope that this article has become useful and interesting for many parents, and the question of how to cure a runny nose in a child no longer bothers you. May your baby grow up he althy and happy!