Quick treatment of snot for a one-year-old child. Treatment of a runny nose in a one-year-old child Aspirator is a constant assistant


How and how to quickly cure a runny nose in a child? 6 effective ways
A runny nose, or rhinitis, is not a disease, but a sign of irritation or inflammation of the nasal mucosa, often caused by an infection. Most often, albeit for different reasons, a runny nose occurs in children. Therefore, for most parents, the question of how to quickly cure a runny nose in a child is one of the most pressing. To answer it, you need to be able to identify the causes of a runny nose, to know which means will be more effective in combating it.

General information about the common cold in children

Experts distinguish several, possible in both adults and children, options for the common cold. They arise for various reasons:
  • Due to infections that usually affect the upper respiratory tract, including the SARS group and influenza.
  • Because of allergic diseases, in which a runny nose is one of the symptoms of hay fever (pollen allergy) or a reaction to wool, mold, food, medicines.
  • As a result of abnormal reactions of blood vessels in the nasal mucosa when exposed to irritants - strong odors, cold or dry air (such a runny nose is called vasomotor rhinitis).
Knowing the cause is especially important for treating a runny nose in children. It determines the choice of means by which nasal congestion can be eliminated, shortness of breath, and the secretion of liquid or thick mucus can be reduced. If some drugs are used for almost all types of rhinitis, then others - antibiotics, hormonal sprays - will be shown only for some of its variants and only a doctor can prescribe them, especially for a child.

SARS is the most common cause of children's runny nose, along with cough, fever and general malaise. In the cold season, viruses actively spread in crowded places - in children's clinics, at a school or a kindergarten group. It is enough for one sick baby to spread hundreds and even thousands of viruses in the air when coughing, screaming or sneezing, which enter the body of healthy children with droplets of mucus. Viruses settle on surfaces, toys, get on the hands, and from there - into the nose and mouth.

Adults can also infect a baby, they are more likely to be in crowded places where they can bring viruses. Therefore, even a child who does not regularly visit shopping centers, cafes and cinemas can get sick.
So, alas, infection could not be avoided. How to treat a runny nose in a child?

Method 1. Treatment of the common cold with vasoconstrictors

Having noticed the first signs of a cold with rhinitis in a child, as a rule, parents rush to the pharmacy to purchase drugs there that will provide a quick and effective treatment for the common cold. In children, the use of such funds in the first place should perform two functions - to relieve nasal congestion and reduce the secretion of mucus from it. For these purposes, vasoconstrictor drugs are used in various forms. It can be drops or sprays for a cold for children. Such drugs narrow the small vessels in the nose, which reduces the swelling of the mucous membranes and makes breathing easier. However, they only reduce the severity of unpleasant symptoms. And the effect of their use can last from 4 to 12 hours, then you need to re-instill.

Although some of these drugs are approved for use even in babies under one year old, they should be used with extreme caution in childhood. Doctors who know how to properly treat a runny nose in children recommend using such remedies for no more than 3-4 days. Otherwise, addiction is possible, in which the child’s nose simply does not breathe without drops. In addition, the thoughtless use of vasoconstrictor drugs can lead to irritation and drying of the nasal mucosa. Therefore, they are usually combined with delayed-acting drugs, the effect of which occurs after a few days, when the use of vasoconstrictive sprays or drops becomes undesirable and requires cancellation.

Method 2. To start using hormonal drugs, it is important to know the causes of a runny nose!

The next group of drugs that we will consider are hormonal drugs for the treatment of the common cold in children. They are used when an allergy is diagnosed or drug rhinitis has developed (dependence on vasoconstrictors). In addition, these drugs are indicated for chronic rhinitis, treatment of severe rhinitis with complications in the form of sinusitis (inflammation of the paranasal sinuses).

A doctor may recommend hormonal drops for a runny nose, sprays or ointments are also suitable for children. The effect comes gradually, stable relief is usually achieved by 2-3 weeks of use. Treatment of allergic rhinitis in a child with the help of hormonal drugs is indicated only in severe, pronounced forms.

These drugs do not damage the mucous membrane, are not addictive, but they have a fairly extensive list of contraindications and side effects. Therefore, they are used only as prescribed by a doctor.

Method 3. Antibiotics in the form of drops and sprays. When is the treatment of rhinitis in children with antibiotics justified?

The use of antibiotics is indicated to fight only bacteria, with the viral nature of the infection (for example, with influenza), these drugs are useless. Therefore, sprays or drops from the common cold with an antibiotic will be prescribed only in cases where the doctor is sure that the reason is the activity of microbes. Unauthorized, without the recommendation of a specialist, the use of antibiotics (even if these are not tablets, but drops or sprays for the nose) is undesirable and even dangerous, because. can lead to the development of resistance (resistance) in bacteria to them.

Method 4. Washing the nose with sea water: we treat congestion and runny nose in a complex

One of the most harmless ways to deal with a runny nose is rinsing the nose. When a child has a runny nose, sea water or saline is injected into the sinuses. They thin thick mucus and remove it, wash away viruses and microbes from the surface of mucous membranes, gradually reduce swelling and inflammation.

Both the use of sea water and rinsing the nose with saline for a runny nose helps children breathe easier, but the effect of the procedure is unstable and does not last long. In addition, washing will be really safe only if it is carried out according to all the rules. Otherwise, the solution from the nasopharynx can get into the mouth of the auditory tube, which connects the nose to the middle ear, there is a risk of developing otitis media.
The procedure also has practical drawbacks - children do not really like it, and it is simply impossible to carry out washing in a kindergarten or school.

Washing with saline solutions or sea water should not be used as a separate treatment for a runny nose, but as part of a set of measures that should help the child breathe freely.

Method 5. Remedies with essential oils - a way to effectively and safely treat the common cold in children and adults

Among the effective and at the same time safe means, we also note essential oils.

With colds and runny nose, they help to facilitate breathing, eliminate swelling of the mucous membranes. There are two types of products with essential oils - drops and inhaler patches. They are inferior in the speed of achieving the effect of vasoconstrictor drugs, but they are not addictive, they have an antimicrobial and antiviral effect. Thus, products with essential oils fight both the causes of rhinitis and its manifestations.

Let's take a closer look at inhaler patches. In addition to efficiency and safety, its great advantage is ease of use: it is enough to stick the patch on clothes or at the head of the bed - a pair of essential oils will immediately begin a beneficial effect. Use the patch wherever it is convenient for you and your child - at home, during walks, trips or at school, kindergarten.

Inhaler patches from different manufacturers are similar in mechanism of action and may vary in composition. For example, it contains levomenthol and five essential oils. From a cold for children, this combination of components is most effective. At the same time, there is no camphor in the composition, which means that the risk of developing allergies is minimal. The patch can be used by children from 2 years old, one package can be used not only for the baby, but for all family members. The duration and frequency of its use is not limited.

The patches are suitable for children from 2 years old and adults, which is convenient. One package can be used by all family members if they are faced with the question of how to effectively and safely cure a runny nose.
The only contraindication to the use of products based on essential oils is intolerance to the constituent components.

Method 6: Phytotherapy - how medicinal plants are used in medicine

Another group of remedies that can be prescribed to cure a runny nose in a child are herbal remedies, that is, remedies based on medicinal plants. These drugs are available in the form of tablets. They are especially effective when you need to relieve swelling and reduce sinus discharge. Usually, a phytotherapeutic remedy for the common cold is prescribed for thick and viscous sputum, which "clogs" the nose.

But you should not expect an instant effect from herbal remedies. Their components begin to act a few days after the start of admission. But they reduce the risk of complications and can be used in combination with fast-acting rhinitis remedies. The lack of herbal remedies is the possibility of an allergy to herbal ingredients, as well as unwanted reactions from the gastrointestinal tract. That is why herbal medicine in the complex treatment of the common cold is usually prescribed to children 6 years of age and older.

Treatment of the common cold with folk remedies

Unfortunately, some parents prefer folk remedies for the common cold to the recommendations of doctors. For children, in their opinion, they will be more useful and safer. Is it so? Many so-called "folk recipes against the common cold" were used at a time when official medicine was simply not available to the general public - conspiracies, chicken eggs, plant juices. To date, it has been proven that "grandmother's recipes" can not only be useless, but also cause serious harm to the health of the child. Perhaps irritation or damage to the mucosa, increased inflammation, its transition to the sinuses, fever. Therefore, parents who prefer a natural treatment for colds and runny nose should choose a nasal wash in combination with the use of essential oils, herbal medicine. IS NOT ADVERTISING. MATERIAL PREPARED WITH PARTICIPATION.

The nose is a zone in which cleansing, warming, moisturizing and delaying pathogens take place. Insufficient immunity in young children and the presence of tighter, winding nasal passages, which trap mucus to a greater extent, lead to the development of a runny nose.

In connection with the transition of a child's runny nose to sinusitis, otitis media, etc., it is necessary to know how to quickly cure snot in a child.

Weak immunity is the main cause of snot in children whose body cannot resist pathogenic bacteria on its own.

Other causes of a runny nose in children:

  • strong temperature difference;
  • the influence of allergic irritants (animal hair, dust, pollen, etc.);
  • infections;
  • colds reinforced by viruses;
  • diseases with circulatory disorders (kidney disease, heart disease);
  • climate change accompanied by temperature fluctuations;
  • the use of drugs that lead to a decrease in the functionality of the nasal mucosa.

Types of runny nose

Medicine distinguishes 7 basic types of the common cold:

  • vasomotor- refers to chronic diseases, manifests itself in response to infections, alcohol, strong odors, dust, etc.
  • caused by allergens- subtype of vasomotor;
  • infectious origin- isolated viral and bacterial. The most unreliable is bacterial, as it accompanies measles, influenza, etc.
  • medicinal- the reaction of the mucous membrane to medicinal vasoconstrictor drugs;
  • as a result of injury, unsuccessful surgical intervention;
  • hypertrophic- as a result of exposure to dust and harmful gases, nasal conchas and mucous membranes increase;
  • atrophic or fetid runny nose- crusts and purulent discharge with a pungent odor appear in the atrophied mucous membrane.

Runny nose stages

Otolaryngologists distinguish the following stages of the course of a runny nose with inherent signs:

  1. Initial or reflex stage. It manifests itself when exposed to temperature fluctuations and external stimuli. Signs of the initial stage:
  • dryness in the nose;
  • itching and burning;
  • headache;
  • difficulty breathing through the nose;
  • sneezing.

It is difficult to identify these signs in children, except for cases of an increase in body temperature to 37.5 degrees. Important! The duration of the initial stage in different people varies from several hours to several days.

  1. The second stage or catarrhal. Duration 2-3 days. Signs:
  • swelling of the nasal mucosa and turbinates;
  • secretion of a clear liquid;
  • impossibility of nasal breathing;
  • lack of smell;
  • the presence of lacrimation;
  • change in voice tone.
  1. Third stage. It occurs on the 5th day of the disease with the addition of a bacterial infection, which is accompanied by a viscosity of yellow or green discharge with a pungent odor. This is due to the presence of inactive bacteria and white blood cells. The third stage is the final one. By the end of it, relief comes and breathing becomes freer.

The duration of the condition directly depends on the immune system. With a high resistance of the body, a runny nose lasts 3 days and ends in the initial stages.

Otherwise, the disease lasts up to 4 weeks and is accompanied by fever. Incorrect treatment leads to a chronic form of the disease.

Runny nose diagnosis

Diagnostics is complex:

  • laboratory diagnostics: blood test during hospitalization of children under 3 years old, in simple cases - detection of leukogram, immunofluorescence of prints from the nasal mucosa - detection of viral antigens and respiratory viruses, isolation of mycoses - PCR swabs from the pharynx or nose;
  • instrumental methods: in complex cases, rhinoscopy to detect edema and hyperemia;

  • differential diagnosis: with prolonged treatment to exclude the non-infectious nature of the disease, anamnesis, examination by a doctor, endoscopy of the oral cavity, fibroscopy, ultrasound scanning.

How to clean the nose of snot for a newborn

Due to the narrowness of the nasal passages in a newborn, any amount of mucus interferes with full breathing through the nose. Sneezing is the only available way to clear the nose for a small child.

Other ways can only be realized with the help of adults. If the nose is not cleared, the baby will not be able to sleep, suckle, etc. In addition, the mucus in the nose causes inflammation of the nasopharynx.

Before cleansing the nose, it is necessary to moisten it with saline or a special agent (Aquamaris, Aqualor). To moisturize, drip 2 drops of the product into the nostril, after a certain period of time, the crusts in the nose will become soft and easily cleaned without additional effort.

Sprays intended for adults are not suitable for small children. This is not due to the composition, but to the spray force, due to which the solution enters the ear from the nasopharynx.

At home, you can prepare a saline solution yourself: mix 5 g of salt in 1 liter of boiled water.

Remedies for cleaning the nose of a small child:

  • cotton wool bundles- a simple cleaning method: a cotton tourniquet is soaked in saline and the nasal cavity is cleaned with gentle movements in a circle. It is performed 3-4 times a day according to the established schedule.
  • small enema(syringe No. 1) or nasal aspirator: collection of mucus from a fully wrung out state. The air is squeezed out outside the nasal passage, otherwise the mucus will end up in the middle ear. After each procedure, thorough cleansing with warm water;

  • nasal suction or nasal suction- a tube with a mouthpiece on one side and a cone-shaped nozzle on the other. The nozzle is placed in the nose of a child, the mouthpiece is inserted into the mouth of an adult. The valve prevents mucus from entering the sucker's mouth. Blow out the collected mucus from the device. The nozzle is disposable and is not intended for reuse;

  • electronic means of special purpose- gentle suction of mucus by inserting the tip into the nasal passage of the child. Mucus is collected in a special container on the device.

Violation of the safety of the procedure for cleansing the nasal passages in young children leads to the following negative consequences:

  • bleeding- the possibility of damage to the nasal passages is great with the careless introduction of cleansing agents into the nostril or inaccurate removal of mucus;
  • ear disease- fluid in the ear and its inflammation.

Important! When cleaning a child's nose, it is forbidden to use oil solutions, cotton swabs, sprays and to minimize the use of vasoconstrictor drugs.

Washing

Washing is used both to quickly cure the snot in a child, and to maintain hygiene. During the procedure, dust particles are removed, the nasal mucosa is moistened to prevent cracks, the feeling of discomfort is reduced, especially during the heating season. In addition, washing is the prevention of colds.

The habit of children to pick their nose is defeated by timely washing of the nose.


How to quickly cure snot in a child? Flushing is a great way to get rid of snot quickly.
  • deviated nasal septum;
  • impassable channels;
  • otitis;
  • neoplasms on the mucosa;
  • nosebleeds.

For a child's nose, drops and sprays are used, including a soft shower. The jet is not used for children under 3 years of age. Pharmaceutical preparations are preferable to home-made preparations, as they are safer and the dose of the medicine is clearly calculated in them.

Washing agents:

  • boiled water- washes away mucus without therapeutic effect. Daily use is possible;
  • medical saline solution- use every day with a pipette. It is preferable to use preparations containing natural sea salt;
  • sea ​​salt solution- saturates the nasal mucosa with moisture, accelerates regeneration processes, relieves swelling and inflammation, antiseptic.

Important! Salt solutions made at home are harmful by introducing additional pathogens, including infection.

  • isotonic drops and sprays- antiseptic agents based on sea salt, similar in composition to blood plasma. Such drugs are considered by experts as the most effective and comfortable in the rapid treatment of snot in a child.

Pediatricians warn against the use of herbal infusions, Miramistin solution, soda, iodine, etc. for washing the nose in children.

Inhalations

Inhalations are the safest and fastest way to cure snot in both a child and an adult, consisting in the inspiration of steam saturated with herbs or medicines. This method treats a runny nose, moisturizes, restores the nasal mucosa and destroys germs.

The use of a nebulizer simplifies the process of inhalation, due to the distribution of useful elements into the upper and lower respiratory tract. It is important to use non-allergenic drugs. With the help of a nebulizer, inhalation solutions penetrate the bronchi and lungs. When purchasing a model, make sure that it is used with decoctions and mineral water.

Saline-based inhalations are the safest. This composition facilitates the removal of pathogenic microorganisms from the respiratory tract and their treatment.

The rule for the inhalation procedure for newborns: it is done only if it is prescribed by a pediatrician. For older children, the nebulizer will not harm and facilitates the treatment procedure.

Tips for inhalation:

  • the device is used only an hour after eating or physical activity;
  • it is forbidden to carry out the procedure at elevated temperature;
  • oil formulations during inhalation lead to complications of the course of the disease, as well as pneumonia;
  • do not talk during the session;
  • carefully read the instructions for the drug for age restrictions on the use;
  • the course of treatment includes 6-8 sessions lasting 10 minutes.

warming up

Warming is used for viral or bacterial diseases.

Contraindications:

  • heat;
  • purulent discharge from the nose;
  • duration of the disease.

Warming up achieves the greatest effect at the first manifestations of the disease (the appearance of mucus, dryness in the nose, etc.) without an increase in temperature. Otherwise, the procedure leads to negative consequences. With a long illness with suspected complications, this procedure cannot be used.

You can quickly cure snot in a child by heating, if done at least 5 times a day, combined with washing and inhalation of the nose. During warming, blood circulation in the nasal cavity improves, which leads to a decrease in swelling and improved breathing.


To cure snot, you can warm up the nose, combining with washing and inhalation

The optimal raw material for heating is heated salt placed in bags (or socks). During the procedure, take a horizontal position without a pillow and place salt on the sinuses for a quarter of an hour.

Another way is to reheat with hot, hard-boiled chicken eggs wrapped in cloth. The safest way, which contributes to better heat penetration, is heating with a blue lamp. Its effectiveness is due to its ease of use, including when the baby is sleeping. Warm up twice a day for 5-30 minutes, depending on the age of the child.

Pharmacy remedies for the common cold for children

Preparations for infants are aimed primarily at washing. Aqua Maris is an effective remedy for children under 1 year old.

Composed of:

  • sea ​​water;
  • iodine is a natural antiseptic;
  • calcium and magnesium - reduce the amount of mucus;
  • zinc and selenium - produces interferon.

The drug is produced in the form of a spray and drops. The spray is not recommended for small children. For them, 4-5 drops per day are enough.

Aqualor, Dolphin, Salin, etc. have an antiseptic effect.

You can quickly cure snot in a young child with a medicine such as protargol or an analogue of Collargol, 2 drops twice a day. Silver in the composition has an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and drying effect.

  • Drops Nazivin- a vasoconstrictor drug that reduces swelling and makes breathing easier. Do not apply for more than 5 days.
  • Drops Nazol Baby- relieves swelling, spreading the vasoconstrictor effect on the child's body. Do not apply for more than 3 days.
  • Drops Otrivin Baby- relieves swelling, improves breathing. Use no longer than a week.

For older children, it is advisable to use saline solutions in the form of a spray. These include: Aqualor Baby, Aqua Maris, Physiomer, etc.

Vasoconstrictor drugs include:

  • Vibrocil- also has anti-allergic effect. It happens in the form of drops, spray, gel.
  • Tizin- for children from 2 years, acts in a minute.
  • Nazol Kids- for children from 6 years old, has anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Polydex- for children from 2 years old, used for allergic rhinitis 1 time per day.

The antibacterial agent Isofra is prescribed in a course of 7 days, 3 injections per day. Bioparox is a herbal preparation of antibacterial action for children from 12 years old. Important! Cannot be used for allergies.

Often, adults have no choice but to quickly cure a child from snot with the help of pills. These drugs are antiviral in nature: Arbidol, Remantodin, Groprinosin. They are effective only at the beginning of the disease.

At the initial stage of the disease, Cetrin, Loratadin are taken. In the later stages - Claritin, Diazolin, Erius.

For children over 3 years old, homeopathic preparations are used:

  • cinnabsin- has anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating properties. Used for sinusitis and runny nose.
  • coryzalia- reduces inflammation and nasal congestion, has anti-allergic properties.
  • Allium Cepa- anti-cold and anti-allergic drug in the early stages of the disease.
  • Gelsemin- anti-infective drug on a plant basis. Can be used for fever, weakness and headache.

Treatment of the common cold with traditional medicine

Recipes:


Treatment of a runny nose in a child according to Komarovsky

Dr. Komarovsky is sure that it is necessary to avoid dryness in the nasal cavity, as pathogenic microflora multiplies there.

In this regard, it is important:

  • cleansing, washing and moisturizing the child's nose;
  • humidity control, ventilation and wet cleaning in the room.

Vasoconstrictor drugs, from his point of view, do not help in the treatment of the common cold, but only slightly alleviate the condition with subsequent deterioration. Instead of this group of drugs, oil-based drops Ekteritsid are used. For infants, the doctor advises to drip purified olive or vaseline oil 1 time in 3 hours.

A large amount of fluid intake is an important aspect of the treatment of the common cold. The doctor recommends maintaining the temperature in the patient's room at 18 degrees with 70% humidity, opening windows and mopping the floors. The absence of elevated body temperature is an indicator of the patient's walks.

To facilitate breathing, it is necessary to artificially clean the nose with an aspirator, after washing the sinuses with saline. Saline, purchased at a pharmacy or homemade, is indicated for any type of runny nose.

How to cure a chronic runny nose in a child

Chronic runny nose is characterized by thick purulent discharge caused by bacteria. This leads to sinusitis or otitis media.

Treatment:

  1. Cleansing the nose from purulent secretions with the help of an aspirator.
  2. Washing the nose with saline using a syringe without a needle: infusing the solution into the nostril of a child who is leaning over the sink, and pouring it out through the same nostril, otherwise a complication in the form of otitis media is possible. After washing, blow your nose or suck the mucus with an aspirator. Rinse 3 times a day
  3. The use of antiseptics: miramistin, isofra, chlorhexidine, etc.
  4. If the previous treatment did not help for a week, then physiotherapy is prescribed. At home, it is carried out using the "Sun" device and analogues.

Complications in the absence of treatment

A runny nose that has not been treated or treated incorrectly leads to complications:

  • sinusitis- disease of the paranasal sinuses;
  • otitis- ear disease;
  • bronchitis.

Another complication of a long runny nose is chronic rhinitis, which manifests itself in three degrees of complications. The highest degree is chronic atrophic rhinitis, which is characterized by dryness of the nasal cavity, nosebleeds and difficulty in clearing mucus from the nose.

The described complications demonstrate the importance of how to quickly cure the snot in a child and not delay with timely medical care.

Video about the treatment of the common cold in children

Runny nose and treatment from Dr. Komarovsky:

Treatment of the common cold in children:

Maternal immunity protects the baby's body only for the first few weeks, and then its protection disappears. Own system is formed a couple of years, which makes young children vulnerable to various viruses and bacteria. Rhinitis is a common phenomenon, and can bring a lot of trouble to both the crumbs and parents. To avoid possible complications, you need to know how to treat a runny nose in a child at 1 year old.

Causes

With rhinitis, the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity become inflamed, and the snot begins to stand out more intensely. Gradually, they completely close the airways and prevent them from working normally. A runny nose in a one-year-old child is complicated by the fact that the baby cannot independently clear the nose of accumulated mucus.

Conventionally, pathology can be divided into three types. Each of them has different causes and requires specific treatment. Rhinitis can be:

  • infectious;
  • allergic;
  • vasomotor.

Viruses, fungi or bacteria become the provocateur of infection. When the pathogen enters the mucous membrane in the nasal cavity, the body tries to fight it. At first, the child experiences discomfort, then abundant liquid mucus appears. In the absence of the necessary treatment, it thickens and acquires a yellowish or greenish tint.

The method of treating rhinitis largely depends on the cause of its occurrence.

Allergic rhinitis is caused by dust, wool, plant pollen, cosmetics, household chemicals and food. Upon contact with the allergen, the mucous membrane swells almost instantly, rhinitis is usually accompanied by sneezing. With prolonged exposure to an irritant, a runny nose becomes chronic, which greatly complicates the treatment.

Rhinitis of the vasomotor type usually occurs in a child without fever, and it is caused by a narrowing of the nasal cavity and dilation of blood vessels. This happens against the background of endocrine pathologies, under the influence of stress or adverse environmental factors. Also, the cause may be the wrong structure of the nasal septum.

Often a runny nose in a baby appears after hypothermia, which weakens the already fragile immune system. Foreign bodies are also caused by abundant mucus secretion, which the child can accidentally inhale or put into the nasal passage.

Symptoms

Independently, snot in a one-year-old child appears quite rarely. In most cases, they are one of the signs of a disease. With rhinitis, the following accompanying symptoms are noted:

  • eye redness;
  • increased tearing;
  • frequent sneezing;
  • loss of appetite;
  • change in voice tone.

With an infectious disease, an increase in body temperature is possible.

Expressing his concern, the child often touches the nose. So he tries to get rid of discomfort and attract the attention of parents.

Due to clogged nasal passages, the child cannot breathe normally, which negatively affects appetite and behavior: the baby becomes nervous, irritable and capricious. Symptoms worsen in the evening and interfere with normal sleep.

Treatment of a runny nose in a one-year-old child

Only a doctor can choose the best ways to treat a runny nose for a child at 1 year old. When symptoms of rhinitis appear, it is advisable to consult a specialist as soon as possible. But parents can provide first aid on their own. One of the main tasks is the timely cleansing of the nasal passages.

It is not easy for one-year-old children to explain how to blow their nose correctly. If they cannot do this on their own, parents need to take over the task. An aspirator may be used. The simplest version of it is a soft pear that sucks mucus from the nasal passage.

For additional cleansing, saline is used. It is purchased at a pharmacy or prepared independently: 10 grams of table or sea salt are added to a liter of boiled water at room temperature. 2-3 drops are injected into each nostril to thin the snot.

Medical

For the treatment of a child at home, only children's drugs are allowed, adult drugs are not suitable. The medications used narrow the blood vessels, relieve swelling and stop the inflammatory process on the mucosa. The dosage is determined by the attending physician individually based on the clinical picture of the disease.

The following remedies help with a cold:

  • decongestants: Aminocaproic acid;
  • antiviral: Interferon, Viferon;
  • moisturizing: Aquamaris, Aqualor;
  • antibacterial: Isofra, Nazol Kids, Bioparox, Pinasol;
  • vasoconstrictor: Tizin, Otrivin Baby, Nazivin, Vibrocil.

In order for the baby to sleep well, it is important to know how to help the baby at night. Immediately before laying down, it is necessary to rinse the nose with saline, and then drip the drug. During sleep, breathing should be normal.

Treatment of allergic rhinitis

The main way to deal with allergic rhinitis is to isolate the source of the problem. If the reaction to the irritant is strong, it is recommended to give Cetirizine, an antihistamine drug available in the form of tablets. In case of severe nasal congestion, vasoconstrictor drops are used, after which it is desirable to moisten the mucous membrane with Dolphin, Aqualor or Aquamaris.

Folk remedies and recipes

It is allowed to use folk remedies for the common cold, but it is better to use them in the initial stages of rhinitis. If there is no result for 2-3 days, it is worth resorting to traditional medicine to reduce the likelihood of complications. It is impossible to fully replace pharmacy medicines with folk recipes.

In the initial stages of rhinitis, freshly squeezed beet juice sometimes helps. They are wetted with a cotton swab, which should be treated with mucous membranes. The procedure is repeated 2-3 times a day until the runny nose passes. This method is effective if the baby does not have allergies.

For the treatment of a severe runny nose in a one-year-old child, garlic is suitable. Two cloves are crushed and mixed with a spoonful of vegetable oil. You need to insist the remedy throughout the night. The pulp is squeezed out, and garlic oil juice is used drop by drop into each nostril 1-2 times a day. This method is a good prevention of complications of rhinitis.

Aloe is also effective. One fleshy leaf is cut off, washed with running water. Juice is squeezed out of it, which is dripped into each nostril of the child three times a day. The procedure should continue for as long as the runny nose lasts.

Preventive measures

To avoid health troubles, you need to adhere to some methods of prevention. It is necessary to protect the baby from hypothermia: dress him according to the weather and not get carried away with excessive hardening procedures. If a child suffers from allergic reactions, hygiene in the home and diet are of particular importance.

Air is very important for proper breathing. It must be sufficiently moist, and special humidifiers are used to improve the quality. An alternative is a bowl of water, in which you can add a few drops of essential oil with a gentle pleasant smell. Airings are carried out regularly.

A runny nose in a 1-year-old child is less likely to occur with good immunity. To strengthen it, various vegetables and fruits are included in the baby's diet. Physical exercise and moderate hardening are also of great importance.

For an adult, the appearance of a runny nose is not a big problem. In most cases, we know that the snot will pass quickly, it is important to blow your nose regularly and to instill vasoconstrictor drugs to facilitate breathing.

A common cold caused by a viral infection disappears in 5-7 days. With a one-year-old child, everything is not so simple. Usually, children at 1 year old cannot blow their nose on their own (with rare exceptions), and it is still difficult for them to switch to mouth breathing when their nasal passages are blocked.

Therefore, they are hard to bear with a common cold.

  1. The kid becomes whiny and irritable.
  2. Difficult nasal breathing prevents the child from eating, sleep is disturbed.
  3. Nasal flow irritates the delicate skin around the mouth and nose, causing a burning sensation.
  4. In the absence of timely treatment, complications may develop in the form of otitis media, sinusitis.

Before you start treating snot in a child, you need to consult a pediatrician.

Most often, the appearance of snot in a child at 1 year old is associated with an acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI). Snot appears suddenly, they are liquid and transparent. So the child's body tries to cope with viruses by washing them off the nasal mucosa.

Before the appearance of fluid from the nose, dryness and burning in the nose, sneezing can be observed. This indicates a viral attack of mucosal cells.

It is not required to treat a runny nose of a viral nature, and there is no specific remedy against viruses that cause respiratory diseases yet.

Also, a bacterial runny nose can appear with a disease of scarlet fever, measles or diphtheria. Treatment of these diseases should be immediate and only under the supervision of a physician.

With a bacterial runny nose, the snot becomes yellowish or green in color, becomes thick, and is difficult to separate. Bacterial colds can be treated with antibiotics.

Another common cause of snot in a child is an allergy. Allergic rhinitis is not associated with viruses or bacteria, it occurs in response to the presence of an allergen (s) in the life of the baby. Such a runny nose is manifested by a copious flow from the nose. Clear, viscous liquid.

Often occurs in conjunction with allergic conjunctivitis. The production of a large amount of snot during a runny nose is aimed at washing off allergens from the mucous membrane. As soon as contact with the allergen stops, the runny nose disappears.

Treatment of snot for allergies comes down to identifying the allergen and excluding it from the environment of the child.

In this case, snot will stand out only from the nostril in which the foreign object is located. They can be transparent at the initial stage, with an admixture of pus and blood in the future, especially if the object has sharp edges and damages the mucous membrane. Treatment in this case should be carried out by an otolaryngologist.

With the help of tools, he will remove the object and prescribe additional therapy if necessary.

Most children's doctors argue that it is not advisable to treat snot for a child at the age of 1 year with medications. And there is common sense in this. A runny nose is a protective reaction of the body, aimed at neutralizing and eliminating viruses or other agents that provoked this disease.

Snot in its composition are water, protein mucin and salt. The liquid state allows you to wash off viruses from the surface of the mucosa and create a protective film on it. Mucin is able to have a destructive effect on the shell of the viral cell. Therefore, the more viruses, the more snot is produced and the thicker they become.

1. The air that a sick child breathes should be moist and cool. This will help prevent drying of the mucous membranes. To do this, you need to ventilate the room more often, turn on a humidifier, or hang wet diapers around the room.

The mucous membranes of our body are designed in such a way that they must always be moist to carry out their functions. When dried, the protective functions of the mucosa weaken, which contributes to the introduction and reproduction of viruses in the cells of the body.

  1. Humidification is required directly to the mucous membrane of the nasal passages.

    A great way to fulfill this condition is to irrigate the spout with saline. To prepare the solution at home, you will need a liter of boiled water and a teaspoon of salt (table or sea), which must be mixed and instilled into each nostril 1-2 drops several times a day.

  2. Regular release of the nose from snot and crusts.

    If a child at 1 year old already knows how to blow his nose, then, as necessary, you need to ask him to “blow out” the snot into a napkin or sink.

Many parents do not know how to properly blow their nose to a child. In no case should you pinch the baby's nostrils with a handkerchief or napkin.

This will create high pressure in the nasal passages and mucus will enter the auditory passages, which can cause inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media).

If blowing your nose is carried out in a napkin, then it is better to use disposable ones and immediately throw them away. When using tissue handkerchiefs, viruses, along with the secret, are there for a long time, and it is possible to re-enter them on the mucous membranes.

If there is no desire to prepare solutions for moisturizing the nose on your own, then you can purchase ready-made ones at the pharmacy. Usually these are drops based on sea water. These include Aqualor Baby, Salin, Aquamaris, etc. They can be used for a long time, the drugs are absolutely harmless and do not cause side effects.

It is important to remember that children under 2 years of age should not be treated with a runny nose spray! Even if you bought the drug in the form of a spray, unscrew the spray mechanism and pick up drops with a pipette!

In rare cases, the doctor may prescribe vasoconstrictor drops (Nazivin, Otrivin Baby, Naphthyzin, Tizin, etc.). They must be applied with caution. Preparations of this group are capable of overdrying the nasal mucosa, which makes it vulnerable to viruses and bacteria. Vasoconstrictor drops are addictive. Treatment with them should not exceed more than 5 days.

For viral infections, the doctor may prescribe drops with an immunomodulatory effect: Grippferon, Nazoferon, Derinat. Their action is aimed at increasing the body's defenses in the fight against viruses. However, on the effectiveness and expediency of their use among doctors, there are very conflicting reviews.

It is strictly forbidden to treat baby snot with antibacterial drops! Antibiotics are used only in case of bacterial rhinitis, in other types they will only cause harm!

If you follow simple rules, you can prevent the appearance of snot or minimize their appearance.

  1. Harden and strengthen the baby's immunity from the first months of life.
  2. Dress your child for the weather. Do not dress your baby too warmly and vice versa. Particular attention should be paid to shoes. The child's feet should not sweat or freeze.
  3. During seasonal epidemics of SARS, do not appear with your child in crowded places.
  4. Moisten the nasal mucosa with saline during the heating season and during outbreaks of respiratory infections.
  5. Before going outside in cold weather, lubricate the nasal passages with Oxolinic ointment.
  6. Make sure your baby is eating right.

It is vital to treat a runny nose for infants. To do this, you do not need to have a full first-aid kit of medicines or spend a lot of money on their purchase. Most often, treatment comes down to creating a favorable environment for the sick person and nasal hygiene.

With inflammation of the nasal mucosa, a runny nose appears. Rhinitis is very often observed in children, especially in the autumn-winter period.

Parents should remember that snot does not always indicate an inflammatory process.

Possible causes of snot in a child

Snot is secreted by the glands of the mucous membrane. Their main function is to protect against the penetration of harmful microbes and bacteria. The secreted mucus is quite liquid and sticky and bacteria settle on it. Mucus also contains substances that have a detrimental effect on pathogens.

A common cause of snot is SARS. The virus is transmitted mainly by airborne droplets while traveling in public transport, through contact with sick children, etc.

A runny nose may appear due to hypothermia, as secretion production increases to protect the body.

There is such a thing as allergic rhinitis. Symptoms of SARS are not observed. Snot appears when an irritating agent enters the mucous membrane. It can be plant pollen, wool, dust, etc. Once inside, antibodies are produced, which is why a runny nose occurs.

Other causes of snot in children:

  • Injury
  • Adenoid enlargement
  • Foreign body on the mucous membrane
  • Incorrect position of the nasal septum
  • Insufficient humidity in the room
  • Dehydration
  • polyps
  • Adenoiditis

A runny nose may occur with prolonged use of vasoconstrictor drugs. It is impossible to treat a runny nose with such means, they are intended to facilitate breathing.

A common cause of snot is an enlarged adenoid. Discharge from the nose during this process is green. In rare cases, snot appears due to abnormal development of the nasal septum. For some reason, the development of the bones of the nose is disturbed even in childhood. In this case, surgical intervention is indicated to eliminate the snot.

Major infectious diseases of the respiratory tract in children

Colds and flu are common contagious diseases of the upper respiratory tract. After the incubation period, similar symptoms appear in a child at 1 year old: a runny nose, redness of the throat, possibly a headache and fever. The key difference between the two similar infections is the more severe and sudden onset of the flu compared to the common cold.

Common respiratory infections in children

Disease Cause Symptoms
Nasopharyngitis, acute coryza and other manifestations of rhinovirus infection (ARVI), in which inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat occurs Viral or bacterial infection There is a severe runny nose in a child of 1 year and moderate rhinorrhea in older children, redness of the throat, swelling of the mucous membrane, fever (38–40 ° C)
Laryngotracheitis - inflammation of the mucous membranes of the larynx and upper trachea Hypothermia, colds, polluted air Dryness, sore throat, burning and pain when swallowing, hoarseness, runny nose, dry cough
Rhinosinusitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses Hypothermia, infections of the upper respiratory tract, anomalies in the structure of the nose, dental diseases, adenoiditis, allergies Profuse nasal discharge, difficulty breathing, runny nose that does not go away for more than 10 days

If the baby has a cold, then he may develop a feverish condition, as with the flu. Such is the peculiarity of the fight against infection of an unformed organism. It is necessary to give an antipyretic at a temperature of 38 ° C. Pediatricians recommend suppositories or syrups with paracetamol, which begin to act after 20-30 minutes.

Features of the fight against a runny nose in a baby

Parents should do the following in this situation:

  1. Carry out wet cleaning of the premises at least twice a day to eliminate germs, viruses and dust. You should also humidify the air from the sprayer in the warm season and by laying wet sheets or towels on hot radiators in winter. It is much more convenient to use a special humidifier. It helps to constantly maintain humidity within 60%, which helps a lot with recovery, and also prevents the appearance of new problems - colds, allergies, skin peeling. Modern devices allow you to add aromatic oils, and then the inhaled air becomes healing.
  2. Difficulty breathing leads to the fact that the child has a lack of oxygen. Therefore, the room where it is located must be thoroughly ventilated. In case of viral infection, this measure reduces the concentration of infection in the surrounding air.
  3. At the age of one, the baby still does not know how to blow his nose, so the snot should be removed using various devices: a small pear or an aspirator.
  4. The snot should not be allowed to stagnate. This problem must be solved by washing the nose with a saline solution, which you can do yourself (one teaspoon of salt is taken per 0.5 liter of warm boiled water). The solution is instilled into the nose in the supine position. For one procedure, it is enough to pour half a pipette into each nostril. And then remove the mucus from the nose using the same aspirator. In finished form, special solutions for washing can be purchased at the pharmacy. This procedure is contraindicated if the child has problems with the ears.
  5. With severe swelling, you should consult a doctor who can recommend vasoconstrictors. They will facilitate nasal breathing, prevent congestion and improve outflow. It is especially important to pay attention to the instructions when buying such a drug. The medicine must necessarily correspond to the age - not every such drug is suitable for the treatment of such a small patient. It is not recommended to use sprays for a child at this age. The duration of treatment with vasoconstrictors should not exceed 5 days.
  6. A good alternative to drops is hypertonic saline. It can also be purchased at a pharmacy. It is much safer to treat with it, as it effectively removes puffiness, but it does not dry out the mucous membrane and is not addictive.
  7. If the snot in the baby has become green, then the doctor will recommend treating rhinitis with topical antibacterial agents or taking antibiotics inside.
  8. As nose drops for a child, you can use beetroot or carrot juice, diluted in half with water. It contains natural antibacterial agents that can help fight infection.

What to do if a runny nose occurs as a result of an allergic reaction? If the cause of the snot is an allergy, then you should try to protect the baby as much as possible from exposure to the allergen.

Such rhinitis should be treated with antihistamines, and in addition, it is necessary to exclude from the child's menu all products that can contribute to the allergization of the body.

If your baby has snot, then this may be a sign of a certain disease. But what? - a doctor will help you figure it out, who will identify the cause and prescribe effective therapy. In a child at this age, immunity is still imperfect, so a neglected pathological condition can lead to serious problems.

What is the treatment of rhinitis in children? Pediatricians give some useful recommendations on how to cure a runny nose in a child with maximum safety for his body.

If you find a severe runny nose in a one-year-old child, do not delay a visit to the doctor. It is impossible to delay treatment for a long time because of the risk of developing adenoids and other unpleasant complications.

A child at 1 year old will not be able to get rid of mucus on their own. The task of parents is to clean the baby's nasal passages from time to time with the help of an aspirator:

  1. You can buy this item at any pharmacy.
  2. Place a small pillow under your baby's head during the night's sleep. This action will help to ensure that mucus will not build up in the nasal passages, and the baby will breathe better.
  3. In children under 1 year old, the body is very sensitive to any medication. Give your baby only the medicines prescribed by the doctor. Do not exceed the dose prescribed in the instructions. Otherwise, you risk only aggravating the situation of your son or daughter.
  4. Don't let your baby's nose get clogged with mucus and dry up there. in a one-year-old child, it is possible by instilling solutions of sea salt into the nasal canals. Vitamins A and E will also help to cope with the problem.
  5. If there is nasal congestion in a child, walking will not have a negative effect on him. But with active games it is better to wait a little.

Watch the color and nature of the discharged mucus. If you notice snot with blood in a child, immediately make an appointment with a doctor.

Cleansing and moisturizing the nose of a child with a runny nose

Dry air and nasal passages contribute to the development of infectious and allergic rhinitis. A runny nose in a child aged 1 year is caused by dust mites and other strong allergens. Irritating factors often become certain foods, smells, medicines. Skin tests and other tests for allergens will help to recognize the nature of the disease. Help in this case should be different than with SARS.

Drops and sprays help to quickly cure a runny nose in children:

  • antiviral, immunomodulatory ("Viferon", "Interferon");
  • antibacterial ("Bioparox", "Isofra", "Pinasol", "Nazol Kids");
  • vasoconstrictor ("Otrivin Baby", "Tizin", "Vibrocil", "Nazivin");
  • moisturizing based on sea salt ("Aqualor", "Aquamaris");
  • decongestants ("Aminocaproic acid").

With sinusitis, washing the nose and instillation makes breathing easier, but without treatment of the underlying disease, a runny nose will not go away.

A ready-made saline solution from a pharmacy successfully replaces cold drops for children from 1 year old based on sea water. You can buy a bottle of isotonic saline solution at the pharmacy and bury it with a pipette in the nose. Salt has a detrimental effect on microbes, reduces swelling of the mucosa. The solution effectively cleanses and moisturizes the nasal passages, prevents them from drying out.

Vasoconstrictor drugs for the common cold are in demand to eliminate mucosal edema in case of allergies and SARS. Rhinitis in babies is aggravated by the underdevelopment of the nasal passages. It is recommended during the period of exacerbation of allergies and in the midst of a cold to drip vasoconstrictor drugs into the nose twice a day. There is addiction, which is why such drugs are used no longer than 3-5 days.

Treatment of the common cold in children with folk remedies at home

Rhinovirus infection resolves within 5-8 days, during which time children need good care. Compliance with bed rest at high temperature, hygiene, proper diet reduce the risk of complications. The use of antipyretics is required for fever, other symptoms of SARS often disappear without the use of strong drugs.

What to do when children have a runny nose and cough:

  • enrich the menu with products with antioxidants, vitamins C and D, probiotics;
  • clean the nose well with a nasal aspirator, rinsing;
  • give water more often, drink chicken broth, tea, juice, fruit drink;
  • use a nasal spray or drops based on sea salt;
  • limit contact with other children, adults;
  • do not rush to give medicines, especially antibiotics;
  • do not go for a walk when you have a fever.

The air in the children's room should not be dry. It is recommended to use a humidifier or place a bowl of cold water near a heat source.

Infectious rhinitis in a child 1 year old can be treated with the use of folk remedies. Infusions of medicinal plants are used to relieve symptoms and treat rhinovirus infection, tracheobronchitis, adenoiditis. Add honey to herbal tea, but not more than half a teaspoon for children aged 1 to 2 years.

Effective remedies for the common cold and cough from the arsenal of traditional medicine:

  • chamomile or linden tea with mint, rosehip;
  • infusion of sage and lavender;
  • lemon juice with sugar;
  • echinacea tincture;
  • aloe juice.

The lemon is dipped in boiling water for 10 minutes to remove the bitterness, after which the juice is squeezed and mixed with two tablespoons of sugar. Give the child two sips of syrup in the morning and evening. For a compress, squeeze the juice from a fresh lemon and add water. They impregnate a clean napkin, rub the temples, the forehead of the child to improve the general condition with a fever.

Very often, parents of one-year-old babies prefer to use folk remedies for a cold.

Indeed, home-made herbal medicines can be a worthy replacement for pharmaceutical preparations, but they must also be used with great care so as not to harm the baby, and before starting such treatment, you must always consult a pediatrician.

Most often, for children aged 1 year, vegetable drops are used. There are several proven folk recipes for treating a runny nose in one-year-old babies:

  1. Aloe drops. To prepare a medicine from an indoor flower, you need to cut off 1-2 lower leaves of the plant, rinse them under running water and cut into small pieces, from which juice should be squeezed. The resulting liquid is diluted with clean boiled water at room temperature in a ratio of 1:2. The medicine is administered 2-3 times a day, 2 drops in each nostril. To achieve the best effect, it is recommended to add honey to the product, but only on condition that the baby is not allergic to this product.
  2. Carrot and beetroot juices. To get a healing agent, you need to squeeze the liquid out of a fresh vegetable and also dilute it with boiled water in a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2. Use these drops in the same way as in the previous recipe.
  3. Drops of parsley. Fresh herbs must be chopped in a blender, wrap the resulting mass in gauze and squeeze out the juice. The medicine is dripped twice a day, 2-3 drops into each nasal passage.
  4. Water infusion of propolis. Grind 50 g of the substance and pour 0.5 cups of water, cover and insist in a water bath for an hour. The finished product should be poured into a dark glass container and stored in the refrigerator, warming to room temperature before use. You can bury the infusion 3 times a day. It is recommended to slightly dilute the product with water to avoid burning in the nose.

Although rhinitis in one-year-old babies is not considered a serious disease, the treatment of this ailment should be taken very carefully and be sure to consult a doctor about the possibility of using one or another medication or folk remedy. If parents know how to treat a runny nose in a child who is barely a year old, the disease will pass quickly and without consequences.

To cure a runny nose in a child, you need to consider the form in which the disease proceeds. If rhinitis is at an early stage and is accompanied by mild clear discharge, many parents manage to cope with it with regular flushing. As already mentioned, ordinary saline solution is the best suited for such procedures, but special preparations based on sea water are no less effective - Aquamaris, Aqualor, Rinostop Aqua, etc.

Preference should be given to those funds that are intended specifically for one-year-old babies. They are equipped with a convenient tip, which automatically regulates the pressure of the jet. This provides protection against damage to the delicate mucosa and accidental throwing of the drug into the ear canals.

Many children develop nasal congestion when they have a runny nose. To relieve swelling and make it easier for the child to breathe, it is recommended to instill vasoconstrictor drops based on phenylephrine, xylometazoline or oxymetazoline into the nasal passages. From a cold in one-year-old babies, use Otrivin Baby, Nazol Baby, Nazivin.

As prescribed by the doctor, the baby can be instilled with topical antiviral agents (Grippferon, Interferon). It must be borne in mind that these drugs are powerless. A severe runny nose in a child, accompanied by thick white, yellowish or green discharge, requires the use of antibacterial drops (Isofra, Sialor, Albucid).

If all of the above remedies do not help eliminate a severe runny nose in a one-year-old child, we can talk about sinusitis - a serious inflammatory disease of the paranasal sinuses. Sinusitis requires mandatory antibiotics, so you need to see a doctor to clarify the diagnosis and get a prescription for the drug Amoxiclav or its equivalent.

A runny nose is a very common cold symptom in 2 year olds. Many parents are familiar with the situation when, after treating a cold, it reappears. The reason may be that the previous rhinitis was not completely cured, or the immune system is very much weakened, so it reacts to each irritant in this way.

First aid

What is the best treatment? To get the maximum result from the treatment of the common cold in children 2 years old, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules. Only in this way can you overcome the disease in a short period of time.

Firstly, it is necessary to refuse to visit kindergarten for 2-3 days. Thus, you can slow down the disease at the initial stage of development. Otherwise, this symptom will become chronic, and treatment will be much more difficult.

In the first 2 days, provide the child with bed rest. The pillow should be placed under the head and shoulders. Then he will feel comfortable, and the accumulated sputum will begin to separate faster. And this will greatly improve the nasal breathing of the baby.

At the time of a cold, the child must drink as much liquid as possible. Prepare him a drink of jam, currants, cranberries. Such fruits contain a large amount of vitamin C, and, as you know, it perfectly eliminates colds and infectious diseases. In addition, this drink has an anti-inflammatory effect and strengthens the defenses of the child's body. Patients aged 2 years should be allowed to drink up to 1 liter of fluid per day.

If after 2 days the baby has not runny nose, then it is worth giving him warm mineral alkaline water. The advantage of this treatment is that pathogenic microorganisms die very quickly in an alkaline environment. With abundant drinking, it is possible to improve the discharge of nasal mucus and reduce the intoxication of the body that occurs against the background of redness by bacteria and viruses.

Inhalations

Such measures in the treatment of cough in children 2 years old are considered the most effective. Thanks to them, it is possible to evenly distribute the medicinal substance deep into the nasal mucosa. The result of such treatment is a rapid and effective distribution of the drug over the surface of the epithelium of the nose. The recovery process after inhalation comes very quickly.

For inhalation, you can use a special device, thanks to which it is possible to turn the medicinal solution into an aerosol under pressure. The name of such a device is a nebulizer; inflammatory, immunomodulating and antibacterial medicines can be sprayed through it. Here are the medicines for the nebulizer for the common cold.

Application of drops

As a rule, during the treatment of the common cold in children 2 years old, vasoconstrictor drops are used. Do not use them for more than a week. Consider only the most effective for children of this age:

  1. Vibrocil . This medicine is approved for use in infants. The duration of therapy is not more than a week. The resulting effect is achieved after 2-3 minutes, and lasts for 6-8 hours. You need to drip 1-2 drops in each nasal passage. Here you can find the instructions for using Vibrocil nose drops. It is advisable to blow your nose well before using the medicine or clean the nasal strip with a salt solution, as well as Aquamaris. Read how to properly rinse the nose of a child of 2 years.
  2. Nazol Baby. These drops should be used very carefully and not more than 3 days. The resulting effect lasts about 6 hours. It is worth dripping for children aged 2 years, you need 2 drops in each nostril. The field of application of the pipette must be wiped dry.
  3. Polydex. Polydex nasal drops for children is a nasal spray that is allowed to be used by patients over 2 years of age. The course of therapy is 5-10 days. The resulting effect is achieved after 3 minutes and lasts 8-9 hours. Instructions for use involves one spray in each nasal passage. The number of doses per day - 3 times. But the use of such a medicine is prohibited for children suffering from renal failure.

Prevention

To prevent a disease in a child in the most tender period of his life, it is worth taking simple preventive measures.

It is important to take care of the hygiene of the nasal passages and oral cavity. Any stagnation of secretions is a nutrient medium where pathogenic microorganisms can develop.

It is also necessary to maintain cleanliness and order in the children's room, often ventilate the room. The child may begin to sneeze and cough due to banal dust or foreign odors. At the most tender age, you should not use aromatic products, including healthy oils.

The baby's body is very vulnerable to climate change. He has to get used to a completely new environment, and this is in the conditions of the formation of many vital systems. So doctors do not recommend flying with a newborn to other countries. And do not forget about such simple and affordable methods as hardening and charging. By strengthening the body of the crumbs from birth, you can expect that it will quickly cope with any infections.

Preventive measures are:

  • strengthening immunity (hardening, healthy eating, taking vitamins, walking in the fresh air);
  • the use of antiviral drugs for the purpose of prevention during an influenza epidemic;
  • maintaining a healthy microclimate in the apartment (regular wet cleaning, airing).

If the child is allergic, then it is necessary to get rid of everything that can cause an allergic reaction.

A runny nose in children of a younger age group is not a harmless problem. It cannot be ignored. Due to secretions and nasal congestion, the baby is forced to breathe through the mouth, and for some children it is enough to inhale cold air a couple of times to get pneumonia.

Prevention of the common cold in children should include a set of measures aimed at both activating local defense mechanisms in the upper respiratory tract in a child and strengthening the immune system as a whole.

In order for the nasal mucosa to be able to fully realize its protective properties, it is important to prevent the increase in viscosity of the mucus and the formation of crusts in the nose.

  • It is necessary that the air that the child breathes is always sufficiently humid and cool. Adjust the temperature in the room - the higher it is, the less moisture remains in the air, you can also use various evaporators and humidifiers.
  • It is important that the child consumes a sufficient amount of fluid - dehydration leads to drying of the mucous membranes.

The physiological norm of fluid intake for children

  • In addition, in order to prevent thickening of the mucus and prevent the appearance of crusts, it is recommended to instill a saline solution into the nose of the child daily (during periods of increased risk of getting sick, this can be done several times a day).
  • Ensuring optimal physical activity: walking, outdoor games, playing sports contribute to the activation of the protective mechanisms of the child's body.
  • Hardening helps to use all the reserves of the body in the fight against infectious diseases. You can read more about hardening here.
  • Rational nutrition: a periodic diet with a restriction or exclusion of foods rich in protein helps to improve the functioning of the immune system. It is recommended to practice protein-free diet regularly, especially during periods when the risk of encountering respiratory infections is especially high. This is the autumn-winter period, as well as spring, when immunity is weakened.
  • Vibroacoustic therapy: the use of Vitafon devices is an effective way to prevent the common cold in children. With regular use, this method helps cleanse the body from damaged cells, decay products and vital activity (slags), which activates the immune defenses, normalizes the functioning of the liver, kidneys and favorably affects the work of all parts of the immune system.

If we are talking about allergic rhinitis, then the best way to prevent it is to eliminate allergens: regular wet cleaning and maintaining an optimal indoor climate (if the allergen is house dust). The use of protective equipment or a change of place of residence - if it is an allergy caused by plant pollen.

Prevention of vasomotor rhinitis is the competent use of vasoconstrictor drugs (no more than 5-7 days).

Preventive measures also include a competent approach to antibiotic treatment. Their unauthorized use, non-compliance with treatment regimens contributes to the weakening of the body's defenses and increases the risk of developing infectious diseases, including the common cold in children.

Conclusion

Often there is a situation when parents are carried away by the search for one or another remedy that will provide treatment for the common cold in children quickly and effectively, and forget about the simplest and most effective measures that can significantly alleviate the child's condition and activate their own defenses. These include cleaning, moisturizing and cooling the air in the room where the child is located, washing the nose, proper drinking regimen, and diet.

Parents often ask if it is possible to bathe a child with a runny nose. In most cases, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity in a baby is not a contraindication to bathing. On the contrary, contact with water helps to reduce the viscosity of mucus, soaking the crusts.

It is worth refraining from bathing when the child has a runny nose and a temperature of 38 degrees and above, when the child suffers from a general condition. In this case, it is recommended to wipe with cool water.

The answer to this question depends, first of all, on the cause of the disease. If there is an allergic rhinitis in a child caused by house dust and the elements contained in it, a walk in the fresh air will bring relief. If the allergy is caused by plant pollen, then walking can exacerbate the symptoms. Also, if inflammation in the nasal cavity is associated with SARS, then during the walk it is better to avoid contact of the patient with other children.

Also, the answer to the question “can I walk with a child with a cold?” depends on the condition of the child and weather conditions. With a high temperature, lethargy, weakness, it is better to stay at home. You should not go outside with negative air temperatures outside, wind and other adverse weather conditions.

How long does a runny nose last in a child? The average duration of the disease, when it comes to inflammation occurring against the background of a viral infection, is 5-8 days. This is due to the peculiarities of the immune response: it is this period that is necessary for the production of interferons and antibodies (substances responsible for protecting the body from infection).

If during this time the child does not have a runny nose - what to do? It is imperative to consult a doctor so that he can help establish the causes of the protracted course of the disease. These can be developed complications, for example, the addition of a bacterial infection and the development of sinusitis, otitis media.

A persistent runny nose in a child may be evidence of an allergic process - in this case, an examination by an allergist and the establishment of the cause of the disease are indicated.

Also, if a child does not have a runny nose for a long time, this may be a sign of a violation of the regulation of vascular tone, including that associated with the use of vasoconstrictor drugs - vasomotor rhinitis.

In most cases, this procedure is not the best cold remedy for children. As well as mustard plasters, thermal foot procedures are aimed at stimulating reflexogenic zones. They can not be used in the acute period of the disease, at elevated temperatures. But they can be effective in the recovery period for the treatment of diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, when there is a need to increase blood flow in the affected organ by stimulating active points on the foot.

In search of an answer to the question “how to cure a runny nose for a child at home”, you should not consider such a procedure as warming up the legs: this disease, with the right treatment, which we talked about above, passes quickly enough and does not need active rehabilitation measures.

When a child develops a runny nose, a number of measures can be taken to support his defenses and prevent the development of the disease. First, it is necessary to ensure the full performance of the functions of the nasal mucosa, which is responsible for protecting the nasal passages from the invasion of infection.

First aid for a runny nose in a child is to ensure the correct microclimate in the room: the sick person must breathe moist, cool and clean air. It is also important to supply the baby with enough liquid and instill saline in the nose.

How to cure a runny nose in a child? Another set of measures should be aimed at strengthening the body's defenses. When the first symptoms of the disease appear, it is recommended to transfer the baby to a protein-free diet, which reduces the load on the lymphatic system and liver.

Also, at the initial stage, it is recommended to include vibroacoustic therapy in the treatment of a cold in a child: the use of Vitafon devices activates the body's defenses, has a beneficial effect on the lymphatic system, and reduces the toxic load on the body.

Why does a child not have a runny nose for a long time? The cause may be the development of chronic inflammation in the nasal cavity, a change in the mucous membrane (thickening or thinning).

If a child has a frequent runny nose, the cause may be an allergy, a violation of vascular tone associated with the abuse of vasoconstrictor drugs and other factors.

Also, if a child has a long runny nose, the cause may be a curvature of the nasal septum, an injury to the nose, proliferation of adenoids, etc.

In any case, in order to understand how to get rid of a runny nose in a child, you need to see a doctor to undergo a comprehensive examination that will help determine the cause of the disease and choose an effective treatment.

Ekaterina Rakitina

Dr. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Klinikum, Germany

Reading time: 3 minutes

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Article last updated: 05/07/2019

For an adult, the appearance of a runny nose is not a big problem. In most cases, we know that the snot will pass quickly, it is important to blow your nose regularly and to instill vasoconstrictor drugs to facilitate breathing. A common cold caused by a viral infection disappears in 5-7 days. With a one-year-old child, everything is not so simple. Usually, children at 1 year old cannot blow their nose on their own (with rare exceptions), and it is still difficult for them to switch to mouth breathing when their nasal passages are blocked. Therefore, they are hard to bear with a common cold.

  1. The kid becomes whiny and irritable.
  2. Difficult nasal breathing prevents the child from eating, sleep is disturbed.
  3. Nasal flow irritates the delicate skin around the mouth and nose, causing a burning sensation.
  4. In the absence of timely treatment, complications may develop in the form of otitis media, sinusitis.

Before you start treating snot in a child, you need to consult a pediatrician.

What diseases can cause snot?

Most often, the appearance of snot in a child at 1 year old is associated with an acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI). Snot appears suddenly, they are liquid and transparent. So the child's body tries to cope with viruses by washing them off the nasal mucosa. Before the appearance of fluid from the nose, dryness and burning in the nose, sneezing can be observed. This indicates a viral attack of mucosal cells. It is not required to treat a runny nose of a viral nature, and there is no specific remedy against viruses that cause respiratory diseases yet.

It happens that a bacterial infection can join a viral rhinitis. This occurs due to a decrease in the protective functions of the body and unformed immunity in children aged 1 year. Also, a bacterial runny nose can appear with a disease of scarlet fever, measles or diphtheria. Treatment of these diseases should be immediate and only under the supervision of a physician. With a bacterial runny nose, the snot becomes yellowish or green in color, becomes thick, and is difficult to separate. Bacterial colds can be treated with antibiotics.

Another common cause of snot in a child is an allergy. Allergic rhinitis is not associated with viruses or bacteria, it occurs in response to the presence of an allergen (s) in the life of the baby. Such a runny nose is manifested by a copious flow from the nose. Clear, viscous liquid. Often occurs in conjunction with allergic conjunctivitis. The production of a large amount of snot during a runny nose is aimed at washing off allergens from the mucous membrane. As soon as contact with the allergen stops, the runny nose disappears. Treatment of snot for allergies comes down to identifying the allergen and excluding it from the environment of the child.

A runny nose can appear when a foreign object gets into the nose. Among young children, this phenomenon is common. These can be beads, toy parts, peas or beans, batteries, and more. etc. The mechanism of such a runny nose is the body's desire to wash off a foreign object and protect the mucous membrane from irritation. In this case, snot will stand out only from the nostril in which the foreign object is located. They can be transparent at the initial stage, with an admixture of pus and blood in the future, especially if the object has sharp edges and damages the mucous membrane. Treatment in this case should be carried out by an otolaryngologist. With the help of tools, he will remove the object and prescribe additional therapy if necessary.

Principles of treatment of the common cold in young children

Most children's doctors argue that it is not advisable to treat snot for a child at the age of 1 year with medications. And there is common sense in this. A runny nose is a protective reaction of the body, aimed at neutralizing and eliminating viruses or other agents that provoked this disease.

Snot in its composition are water, protein mucin and salt. The liquid state allows you to wash off viruses from the surface of the mucosa and create a protective film on it. Mucin is able to have a destructive effect on the shell of the viral cell. Therefore, the more viruses, the more snot is produced and the thicker they become.

It is possible to cure a runny nose for a child in a year without the use of medicines, if its appearance is a symptom of an acute respiratory disease. To do this, you need to create several conditions.

1. The air that a sick child breathes should be moist and cool. This will help prevent drying of the mucous membranes. To do this, you need to ventilate the room more often, turn on a humidifier, or hang wet diapers around the room.

The mucous membranes of our body are designed in such a way that they must always be moist to carry out their functions. When dried, the protective functions of the mucosa weaken, which contributes to the introduction and reproduction of viruses in the cells of the body.

  1. Humidification is required directly to the mucous membrane of the nasal passages. A great way to fulfill this condition is to irrigate the spout with saline. To prepare the solution at home, you will need a liter of boiled water and a teaspoon of salt (table or sea), which must be mixed and instilled into each nostril 1-2 drops several times a day.
  2. Regular release of the nose from snot and crusts. If a child at 1 year old already knows how to blow his nose, then, as necessary, you need to ask him to “blow out” the snot into a napkin or sink.

Many parents do not know how to properly blow their nose to a child. In no case should you pinch the baby's nostrils with a handkerchief or napkin. This will create high pressure in the nasal passages and mucus will enter the auditory passages, which can cause inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media).

When blowing your nose, you need to close only one nostril (preferably with your finger), and through the other, the child should blow out the contents of the nose. Repeat the same with the second nostril. It is best to carry out this procedure over the sink so that nothing interferes with the baby, and the snot can be washed off immediately.

If blowing your nose is carried out in a napkin, then it is better to use disposable ones and immediately throw them away. When using tissue handkerchiefs, viruses, along with the secret, are there for a long time, and it is possible to re-enter them on the mucous membranes.

Treatment of the common cold with drugs

If there is no desire to prepare solutions for moisturizing the nose on your own, then you can purchase ready-made ones at the pharmacy. Usually these are drops based on sea water. These include Aqualor Baby, Salin, Aquamaris, etc. They can be used for a long time, the drugs are absolutely harmless and do not cause side effects.

It is important to remember that children under 2 years of age should not be treated with a runny nose spray! Even if you bought the drug in the form of a spray, unscrew the spray mechanism and pick up drops with a pipette!

In rare cases, the doctor may prescribe vasoconstrictor drops (Nazivin, Otrivin Baby, Naphthyzin, Tizin, etc.). They must be applied with caution. Preparations of this group are capable of overdrying the nasal mucosa, which makes it vulnerable to viruses and bacteria. Vasoconstrictor drops are addictive. Treatment with them should not exceed more than 5 days.

For viral infections, the doctor may prescribe drops with an immunomodulatory effect: Grippferon, Nazoferon, Derinat. Their action is aimed at increasing the body's defenses in the fight against viruses. However, on the effectiveness and expediency of their use among doctors, there are very conflicting reviews.

It is strictly forbidden to treat baby snot with antibacterial drops! Antibiotics are used only in case of bacterial rhinitis, in other types they will only cause harm!

How to prevent the appearance of snot

If you follow simple rules, you can prevent the appearance of snot or minimize their appearance.

  1. Harden and strengthen the baby's immunity from the first months of life.
  2. Dress your child for the weather. Do not dress your baby too warmly and vice versa. Particular attention should be paid to shoes. The child's feet should not sweat or freeze.
  3. During seasonal epidemics of SARS, do not appear with your child in crowded places.
  4. Moisten the nasal mucosa with saline during the heating season and during outbreaks of respiratory infections.
  5. Before going outside in cold weather, lubricate the nasal passages with Oxolinic ointment.
  6. Make sure your baby is eating right.

It is vital to treat a runny nose for infants. To do this, you do not need to have a full first-aid kit of medicines or spend a lot of money on their purchase. Most often, treatment comes down to creating a favorable environment for the sick person and nasal hygiene.

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