Rhinitis in infants: what should parents do?

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

Acute rhinitis, or runny nose, is one of the symptoms of an acute respiratory viral infection, which is accompanied by high body temperature, loss of appetite and coughing. It is especially difficult to tolerate in infants, who behave restlessly, eat poorly and wake up often.

The first sign of rhinitis is the appearance in the sinuses of a liquid and transparent substance - serous, then mucous, and after the spread of a bacterial infection - mucopurulent. A runny nose in infants is more difficult to tolerate because the nasal passages are small and clog faster than in adults. It is difficult for a child to suckle with a stuffy nose, and sometimes almost impossible. In addition, a baby cannot blow his nose on his own, and therefore parents should help him cope with the disease.

So, the baby has a runny nose. What to do?

1. Cleaning the nasal passages with cotton swabs with restraints (they are specially produced for children). Carefully collect mucus and dried crusts. Be careful not to damage the delicate skin, ask another person to hold the baby - he may shake his head and toss and turn.

2. Moisturizing the nasal mucosa. This can be done by dripping an ordinary mineral water or special products based on sea water ("Salin", "Aqua Maris"). They are easy to use and safe for babies. After moistening, the crusts are removed more easily.

3. Use of nasal aspirators. The simplest is a rubber bulb or a spray can with a nose tip. If the baby has a runny nose, choose a soft nozzle. Press the balloon or pear, releasing all the air, bring the tip to the nostril, and hold the other. When slowly unclenching the bulb or balloon, the mucus will be absorbed. ENT doctors recommend using an aspirator only with severe nasal congestion, when the remedies described above do not help. If the device is used too frequently and inappropriately, there is a risk of infection and otitis media. The electric aspirator is safer but quite expensive.

4. Vasoconstrictor nose drops can be used only on the recommendation of a doctor! They contain alpha-agonists (drugs "Nazivin", "Otrivin") or sympathomimetics (drug "Nazol Baby"). Under the action of these substances, the vessels narrow, less blood flows to the nasal mucosa, the swelling subsides, while breathing is much easier.

Means "Nazivin", according to the instructions, for children from a month to a year, 1-2 drops are prescribed in each nostril 2-3 times a day, for newborns - 1 drop. Do not use any vasoconstrictor drugsmore than 5 days, with prolonged use, a runny nose may increase. Observe the dosage and use special children's drops (where the concentration of the active substance in the solution is lower), as in high concentrations they can cause disturbances in the work of the heart. Remember the signs of poisoning with vasoconstrictors: rapid heart rate, lethargy and drowsiness.

Sometimes they cause a runny nose in a baby with teeth that are about to appear. A distinctive feature of such rhinitis is that it lasts no more than 4-5 days and the discharge is watery, transparent.

The choice of remedies for curing a runny nose in a baby is huge today. But when using them, you should be careful and attentive, act on the recommendation of a doctor. Seek immediate medical attention. Stay he althy!