Treatment of rhinitis in children under 1 year. Drops from the common cold for children up to a year: a list of the best and most effective for the treatment of rhinitis

Runny nose is the most common disease on the planet. Absolutely every person encounters this disease, and more than once. To avoid unpleasant complications, it must be treated. This article will tell you what.

Runny nose, or rhinitis, is an inflammatory process of the nasal mucosa. The most common causes of its appearance: the entry of a virus, pathogenic microorganisms and fungi into the nasopharynx. However, the disease can begin due to an allergy, a stuck foreign body.

Komarovsky about children's runny nose

The famous children's doctor Yevgeny Komarovsky jokingly says that a runny nose is what we all lived with, live and will live with. Absolutely all children and adults suffer from a runny nose.

Komarovsky, contrary to popular belief, insists that every home medicine cabinet should have vasoconstrictor drops. This is the emergency help that is sometimes needed for rhinitis in children. Such drugs should be taken when:

  • acute otitis;
  • complete absence of nasal breathing;
  • partially difficult breathing through the nose and mouth;
  • partially labored breathing through the nose, plus if there is a high temperature or extreme heat in the room.

During a runny nose, the respiratory system experiences a huge load, and such drops will help relieve tension from the thoracic region.

Important: vasoconstrictor drugs should not be taken for more than 5 days. It is better to give them to children no more than 3 days.

The pediatrician focuses on the correct treatment at the onset of the disease. The most important thing when the first symptoms appear is to give the child plenty of water, to ventilate the room. So, the snot will not thicken and will freely come out of the spout.

Causes of a runny nose in children

A runny nose is a fairly common ailment that absolutely all children suffer from, but the causes can be different.

Infectious causes of the common cold in children

A runny nose caused by an infection is called rhinitis. The cause of rhinitis can be a virus, bacteria, fungus. It appears as a result of SARS, weakened immunity, upon contact with sick people, whooping cough, scarlet fever, influenza, etc. When an infection enters, the body tries to cleanse itself, causing abundant moistening of the nose. Green snot indicates that the immune system is fighting, sending a large number of white blood cells to protect.

Important: a runny nose is a protective reaction of the body to an infection.

Non-infectious causes of the common cold in children

In newborn babies, the respiratory system is still not sufficiently developed, the mucous membrane is tender, the baby gets used to the external environment. Therefore, transparent discharge often occurs. Many doctors claim that such snot is not dangerous to health, it is only necessary to keep the nose clean.

The greatest danger is represented by foreign bodies stuck in the nasopharynx. Little children, knowing the world, can put buttons, a coin, a seed, a cap from a pen in their nose. This will immediately cause moisturizing of the nose.

Important: if there is a foreign body in the nasal passage, you can not get it with tweezers, a needle, scissors. There is only one way out - to call a doctor at home!

Allergic rhinitis in children

Allergic rhinitis can appear at any age. If the doctor has determined that the cause is an allergy, then it is necessary to eliminate its source. Quite often, snot occurs due to too dry air, especially in winter. In this case, an automatic humidifier will do.

It is also necessary to clean the apartment 1-2 times a day. During summer flowering, it is worth using antihistamines, for example, Aqua-Maris drops for children (dig in two drops four times a day). Essential oils, such as eucalyptus, lavender, fir, citrus, will also help to cope.

Stages of development of the common cold

There are usually three stages in the development of the common cold:

  1. The first stage is characterized by a feeling of dryness in the nose. There may also be a slight burning sensation, tickling, which turns into frequent sneezing.
  2. The second stage is expressed in the appearance of a clear fluid from the nose. Breathing through the nose becomes very difficult or stops completely. The sense of smell disappears.
  3. The third stage is the appearance of green snot. With improper treatment, the third stage can last several weeks and develop into a serious disease.

Symptoms of a runny nose in a child

Symptoms of a runny nose in children are the same as in adults. It all starts with unpleasant sensations in the nose: itching appears, the nose itches, frequent sneezing is observed. Then there are transparent highlights. The child diligently rubs the nose to remove moisture, causing the upper lip and nostrils to noticeably redden. Already at this stage, the temperature can rise to 37 ° C.

The most obvious and noticeable symptom is the appearance of green snot. The child cannot cope with a large amount of thick liquid, squelching begins. The baby can quickly get tired, lose appetite and smell.

Complications of the common cold in children

Many parents believe that a runny nose is just a concomitant symptom of a cold. That is why not everyone pays enough attention to the children's nose. In fact, it is not always possible to notice transparent discharge on time, therefore, there is no proper treatment in the first 3-4 days.

After about 4 days plain or green. By this time, the child cannot breathe through the nose.

Lingering green snot is dangerous for several reasons:

  1. There is a risk of getting sinusitis. It is just as difficult in children as it is in adults. The maxillary sinuses are filled with fluid, which will certainly have to be removed. The child will be given nasal lavages, cuckoo, injections. It will not do without a large number of pills, including antibiotics.
  2. A simple runny nose can develop into otitis media. Often untreated runny nose causes otitis media. In this case, a person has a high temperature, suppuration begins. The worst is hearing loss.
  3. Frontitis, as a type of sinusitis, is expressed in the filling of the frontal sinuses with fluid. The disease causes fever, pain in the head. In the most dangerous situations, surgical intervention is required.
  4. The most dangerous is meningitis, which can result in disability and death.

It is very important to notice a runny nose in a child in the first days. This is the only way to avoid further complications.

Treatment of the common cold in children

Adults are well aware that it is very difficult to live with nasal congestion. The main task of parents is to alleviate the condition of the child as soon as possible. A runny nose usually lasts more than a week, but if you know how to cure snot, the disease will pass in 3-4 days.

Flushing solutions are an effective rescue. Most often, they include only sea water, which contains useful microminerals. The washing scheme is very simple: 4-6 times a day, when the condition improves - 1-3:

  1. Aqua-Maris Baby - suitable for babies from 3 months.
  2. Physiomer - for children from 2 weeks.
  3. Aqualor Baby - in the form of a spray (has a nozzle with a restriction that prevents damage to the mucosa).
  4. RhinoStop - from the first days of life.

Dry your nose before washing. Then use spray \ drops with sea water. When the crust and liquid begin to come out on their own (after 2-3 minutes), the discharge must be removed with an aspirator or pear.

You can make your own wash solution. Half a teaspoon of table or sea salt is taken in a glass of warm, boiled water. Washing should occur quite often: 2-5 times a day.

Nasal drops

Drops should have the most natural composition. Try to refrain from vasoconstrictor medications to prevent addiction. If you can't do without them, then use:

  1. RinoStop - for children from the first days of life up to 1 year old (the main substance is xylometazoline).
  2. Vibrocil (active ingredients: phenylephrine, lavender oil).
  3. Nazol baby - for children from 2 months.
  4. Rinazolin, Nazivin, Xilen are rather aggressive drugs that are addictive, but relieve puffiness well.

Before using the drugs, you must read the instructions and check the expiration date.

Moisturizing drops

Dry nose also needs to be treated. Discomfort can arise for several reasons. The most common is a side effect of vasoconstrictor drugs. Also, dryness can appear after rinsing the nose with too concentrated saline solution. Examples of moisturizing drops:

  1. Aqua-Maris (transparent drops with sea water).
  2. Aqualor (drops).
  3. Pinosol.

It is best to moisturize the nose with natural essential oils, such as sea buckthorn, peach, eucalyptus, tea tree.

homeopathic remedies

Homeopathic medicines should be used only at the initial stage. If there is no improvement, it is worth using a more powerful type of drugs.

Attention: homeopathic preparations are made from natural ingredients, which can lead to a severe allergic reaction!

How homeopathic remedies help: relieve swelling, make breathing easier, reduce inflammation, fight infection.

With a cold, you can take:

  1. Apis is a product of beekeeping.
  2. Chamomile flowers in the form of tea bags - brew and drink 1-2 times a day.
  3. Aflubin, which includes gentian, aconite (suitable for children from 1 year old).
  4. Cinnabsin is suitable for children from 2 years old.
  5. Aconite tincture has an antipyretic effect, makes breathing easier.

Combined antibacterial agents

Most often, combined preparations combine several functions at once: snot stops flowing, the nose is moistened, inflammation is relieved, blood vessels narrow.

The most common combination drugs:

  1. Pinosol - essential oils help to breathe freely, lubricate the nasopharynx, relieve allergies.
  2. Eucacept fights germs and inflammation, suitable for children from 2 years old.
  3. Otrivin with menthol relieves puffiness, kills microbes.
  4. Vibrocil, thanks to the lavender oil included in its composition, has not only a vasoconstrictive effect, but also an anti-allergic one.
  5. Sanorin-Analergin - against edema and allergies.

Many combined drugs effectively fight not only the common cold, but also strengthen the immune system, and alleviate the general condition.

Antiviral or immunomodulatory drops from the common cold

Immunomodulatory drugs not only relieve the main symptoms in the form of swelling and nasal congestion, but also strengthen the immune system and treat colds.

Most popular:

  1. Grippferon.
  2. Interferon (available as a powder, which must be mixed with distilled water).
  3. Derinat.
  4. Ingaron.

Before using these drugs, you need to consult a doctor!

Cold pills

When you can give the following tablets:

  1. Cinnabsin - from 3 years.
  2. Sinupret - from 6 years old.
  3. Claritin - fights allergies and edema, for children from 3 years old.
  4. Korizalia - from 2 years;

As can be seen from the list, it is impossible to give pills for a cold to crumbs. Children can choke on them. Plus, many drugs have a powerful effect on a fragile children's body.

Snot in a newborn: what to do

They are quite a dangerous condition. If the nose is stuffed up, then the baby will not sleep well, sleep and regimen will be disturbed. Appetite will also be lost, because the milk no longer smells. As a result, the baby will begin to cry a lot, become capricious and tired.

Any parent will agree that snot in a newborn is more difficult to treat: the child still does not know how to blow his nose, it is very difficult to drip nasal drops. If you notice discharge from the spout, you must act immediately.

Stage 1 - liquefaction

To thin out the snot and help it come out on its own, you can make a saline solution. We take 300 ml of warm, boiled water and stir 1/4 tsp in it. salt. In each passage we dig in a few drops and wait a couple of minutes. Also, for washing the nose, you can use natural drops of Aqua-Maris.

Stage 2 - removal

Since the discharge has become less thick, you can get rid of them. We take a special aspirator for sucking snot (nozzle pump). It is believed that the Otrivin Baby aspirator is well suited for this. If nasal congestion caught you by surprise, then you can use the smallest enema. In this case, Otrivin Baby has a clear advantage - it has interchangeable nozzles that allow you to remove snot more hygienically.

Stage 3 - treatment

Newborns should not be given vasoconstrictor drugs. They aggressively act on the delicate mucous membrane and are addictive. It is better to use folk methods: 1 drop of onion juice + 5 drops of vaseline oil.

Drip the resulting mixture into the nose until complete recovery. Plus, we must not forget about insulation. The legs can be lubricated with "Asterisk" and put on warm socks that will keep warm.

What not to do:

  1. Use antibiotics without a doctor's recommendation.
  2. Give vasoconstrictor drugs.
  3. Put mustard plasters.

Also be careful with folk methods: some herbs can cause a severe allergic reaction.

How to treat snot in infants?

Slightly different from therapy in newborns. In infancy, babies are suitable for a wider selection of medications.

Remember: if the cause is a cold, then the first thing to do is to go to the doctor! Only a specialist can correctly diagnose and prescribe the optimal treatment.

Many mothers struggle with the disease with the help of breast milk. Indeed, it contains a large number of microorganisms that contribute to a speedy recovery. But there is a downside - milk contains dangerous bacteria that violate the microflora of the nasopharynx.

What medications should be purchased:

  1. Vasoconstrictor: For Nose, Nazivin, Nazol (use no more than 3 days).
  2. Protargol. It contains silver ions, which actively fight microbes.
  3. Aqua-Maris Baby for daily washing and as a preventive measure.
  4. Pinosol - drops lubricate the nasopharynx with essential oils of coniferous trees.

Folk ways:

  1. Instillation with aloe juice. This will require one succulent leaf of the plant. Remove the skin, wrap the leaf in gauze or bandage and squeeze the juice. The resulting liquid is diluted with water (1:1). Use drops 2-4 times a day.
  2. We brew a teaspoon of dried calendula and chamomile in boiling water and insist in a water bath for about 15 minutes. We instill the decoction twice a day.
  3. Dilute carrot or beetroot juice with water (1:1) and instill 3-4 times a day. (Caution: may be allergic).

Bathtubs are also good. It is necessary to pour warm water in the bathing trough and add the previously prepared chamomile decoction. You can drop a few drops of eucalyptus, fir, spruce essential oil into some water. This procedure will help to postpone the nose.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-HS10C91PE

Is it possible to do manti with a cold?

The subject of vaccinations is always a hot topic of controversy. Moreover, neither doctors nor parents can come to an agreement. There are several pros and cons. Doctors often warn that the vaccine can be given if the baby is in good health. However, most doctors assure that Mantoux is not a vaccine.

For example, consider what is a flu shot? A small dose of infectious agents is introduced into the body. Our body encounters “enemy” organisms and fights against them for several days. Bottom line: immunity is developed to a certain strain of influenza. If the body is weakened by a cold, then there is a risk that the infection will not be defeated, and the person will fall ill, or an allergic reaction will begin, feeling unwell, etc.

What is a Mantoux test? Tuberculin is administered under the skin once a year to children almost from birth until reaching adulthood. If a person has tuberculosis, then a reaction will follow in the form of an increase and redness of the injection site. In people who do not suffer from this disease, there is usually no reaction. We can say that the injected drug causes an allergic reaction in patients with tuberculosis. Therefore, it is impossible to get sick.

Attention: many doctors advise not to refuse the Mantoux test, because this is not a vaccination.

However, many doctors still do not recommend doing Mantoux with a cold. If a person has a cold, then the immune system is in constant tension and in full readiness to attack all dangerous pathogens. When a Mantoux test is done, the immune system begins to fiercely fight tuberculin, which can distort the result of the test. As a result, the pediatrician has the right to appoint another Mantoux after a while. But once again it is worth paying attention that it is impossible to get tuberculosis after the Mantoux test!

A runny nose is an integral part of a child's life. The task of parents is to notice the baby’s poor health in time and start treatment. An untreated runny nose can lead to serious illness. But it is better to carry out prevention with the help of hardening, vaccinations, inhalations, strengthening the immune system.

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 causes 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 child of 1 year old rarely occurs 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.

Ekaterina Rakitina

Dr. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Klinikum, Germany

Reading time: 3 minutes

A A

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 the age of 1 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 is 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 desire of the body 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.

Read more:

A runny nose can overtake a small child from the first weeks of life. For a toddler and his parents, this condition is very unpleasant: the child becomes very capricious, sleeps poorly, cannot eat. Against this background, children often lose weight. By itself, a runny nose is not terrible, but it is very difficult for a child to tolerate, so parents always strive to alleviate the condition of the baby.

The site "I am Your Baby" warns: self-medication is dangerous to health! Before taking medicines, you need to consult a specialist!

How does a runny nose develop?

Runny nose, or rhinitis, is not a separate disease, it usually joins other diseases: influenza, acute respiratory infections, SARS, measles. Runny nose lasts from a week to 10 days, there are several stages in its development.

  1. The initial stage (reflex). The vessels of the nasal mucosa narrow, dryness, burning appear in the nose, and there is a constant urge to sneeze. By such an “itch” in the nose, everyone easily understands that a runny nose is starting. This stage lasts only a few hours.
  2. catarrhal stage. During this stage, the vessels of the mucosa, on the contrary, expand, the mucosa turns red, the nose swells slightly. The main symptom of this stage is the appearance of watery discharge from the nose. Sometimes it is accompanied by lacrimation, stuffy ears. Swelling of the nasal mucosa due to vasodilation causes a state of nasal congestion. This stage lasts for several days.
  3. Recovery stage. At this stage, the discharge becomes thick, and if a bacterial infection joins (which happens in most cases), they have a greenish or yellowish tint. Nasal congestion disappears, the general condition improves.

TOP 5 children's medicines for the common cold

There are a lot of medicines for the treatment of the common cold now. For children under one year old, there are some restrictions: due to the imperfection of the structure of the nasal passages, such babies cannot use sprays. This can lead to the spread of infection, so it is better for children under one year old to bury the drops. Let's try to highlight the best drugs that can be used for children under 5 years old.

Aqua Maris

This preparation is purified sea water containing natural trace elements (sodium, magnesium, calcium). In children, Aqua Maris can be used in the following cases:

  • Acute or chronic runny nose.
  • Adenitis.
  • Allergy.
  • Prevention during epidemics.
  • Carrying out hygiene procedures, moisturizing the nasal mucosa.

Aqua Maris is available in 2 forms: nose drops and spray.

  • Drops are sold in bottles of 10 ml. They can be prescribed to children from the 1st day of life. Aqua Maris drops are instilled 2-3 times a day, 1-2 drops in each nostril. The approximate price is 125 rubles.
  • The spray is available in 50 ml cans. with a special comfortable nozzle. The spray can only be used for children over 1 year old. It can also be used for treatment and for hygiene procedures according to the scheme: 1-2 injections 2-3 times a day. The approximate price is 251 rubles.

The drug Aqua Maris is completely safe for the child. The only possible side effect is the risk of an allergic reaction, but this is extremely rare.

Aqualor Baby

This is another preparation based on natural sea water of the Adriatic Sea. Aqualor Baby contains only natural ingredients, there are no preservatives in its composition. Isotonic sterile sea water is enriched with trace elements: potassium, magnesium, sodium, selenium, zinc and others. This drug not only has a cleansing and anti-inflammatory effect, but also improves immunity.

Indications for use Aqualor Baby:

  • Treatment and prevention of infections (flu, SARS) and inflammatory diseases (sinusitis, adenitis).
  • Hygiene of the nasal cavity.
  • Preparation of the mucosa for the application of other drugs.

Aqualor Baby is available in two forms: drops and spray.

Vasoconstrictor drug with the active substance phenylephrine. Nazol Baby facilitates breathing by reducing swelling of the nasal mucosa. The drug is available in the form of drops in 15 ml bottles.

Indications for use:

  • Colds, influenza, SARS.
  • Allergies.

The drug is approved for children from birth. The dosage of drops is selected according to age:

  • Children under 1 year old are instilled 1 drop no more than 4 times a day.
  • Children from 1 to 6 years old are instilled 1-2 drops once every 6 hours.

Despite the fact that Nazol Baby is produced specifically for children, this drug has contraindications and limitations:

  • Drops can be used no longer than 3 days.
  • Nazol Baby is contraindicated in diseases of the cardiovascular system, diabetes, hypersensitivity to its components.
  • When using, the dosage must be strictly observed. In case of an overdose, a state of nervous excitement occurs, the heart rhythm is disturbed.
  • When using drops, headache, dizziness, sleep disturbance, tingling in the nose may appear.

The younger the child, the more carefully this drug should be used. The approximate cost is 158 rubles.

Otrivin Baby

The drug Otrivin Baby is a sterile isotonic saline solution, in other words, a well-known saline solution. Otrivin Baby well cleanses and moisturizes the nasal mucosa, improving the condition of the mucous membrane and increasing local immunity. According to its composition, it is natural for the body.

Indication for use:

  • Daily hygiene of the nasal cavity.
  • Treatment and prevention of rhinitis, colds.

Otrivin Baby is available in the form of drops and spray.

  • Otrivin Baby drops are available in 5 ml bottles. For children of any age, the scheme for using this drug: 2-4 drops in each nasal passage, the frequency of instillation - according to the situation. You can use this drug from the first day of life. The approximate price is 199 rubles.
  • Spray Otrivin Baby is available in 20 ml cans. Recommended for use in children from one year old. You can apply Otrivin Baby spray as needed several times a day, injecting it into each nasal passage. The approximate price is 169 rubles.

An allergy to the components of the drug is possible. This drug has no other restrictions.

Vasoconstrictor drug based on phenylephrine and dimethindene. Vibrocil contains lavender oil as an auxiliary component, therefore it has a specific smell and taste. This drug relieves swelling of the nasal cavity and makes breathing easier.

Indications for use:

  • Runny nose of any origin.
  • Acute otitis.

Vibrocil is available in the form of drops, gel and spray, but the manufacturer does not recommend using the spray for children under 6 years of age.

Drops should be instilled according to the following scheme:

  • Children under 1 year old - 1 drop in each nasal passage 3-4 times a day.
  • Children over 1 year old - 1-2 drops 3-4 times a day.

Before use, be sure to clean the nasal mucosa. During application, burning, discomfort in the nose and nasopharynx is possible. An allergic reaction may occur. The approximate cost is 231 rubles.

It is necessary to choose a remedy for the treatment of a common cold in children under 5 years of age, based on the severity of the situation. With a slight runny nose and congestion, natural preparations can cope, with a more serious runny nose - vasoconstrictors.

We read on the topic of the common cold:

Caring for the health of children is one of the most important tasks of parents, especially if the child, due to age, is not able to independently resist the effects of adverse factors. Young children, whose immunity is not yet as active as adults, are in wait for numerous infections, so a runny nose at the age of twelve months is not uncommon. Rhinitis in this age period can be quite difficult, accompanied by pronounced intoxication - weakness, lethargy, fever, lack of appetite. How to cure a runny nose in a one-year-old child? For this, several basic measures and medicines are used, which every parent needs to know about.

Important Rules

To treat a runny nose effectively, you must first understand what led to its occurrence. Rhinitis in a child of the first years of life is usually caused by infectious factors and is an infectious-inflammatory process of viral or bacterial etiology. However, although one-year-old children quite often suffer from a runny nose, this is not only due to the emerging, and therefore imperfect immunity, but also uncomfortable conditions in the children's room - excessive dryness, overheating of the air, a large amount of dust; The combination of these factors is called the microclimate of the room.

An unfavorable microclimate affects both susceptibility to infection and the severity and duration of a runny nose of any nature. Normally, the nasal mucosa is moistened, and the mucus secreted by its glands takes an active part in delaying and neutralizing pathogenic agents penetrating from the outside. If the nasal cavity is too dry, the risk of infection and inflammation is higher, and the symptoms of a runny nose are extremely difficult to get rid of, difficulty in nasal breathing persists even after the fever disappears.

Thus, in order to cure a runny nose in a child of 1 year old, one should first of all pay attention to the characteristics of the microclimate.

The appearance of a runny nose in children necessitates maintaining a room temperature of 18-20 ° C, humidity - 50-70%. Why is this needed? If a child breathes moist, cool air, the mucus in the respiratory tract also remains moist, retains all the beneficial properties for the body - which means that the risk of complications is reduced, and prerequisites are created for a quick recovery.

Treatment of a runny nose in a one-year-old child also requires compliance with the following rules:

  1. Sufficient drinking (especially if rhinitis is accompanied by fever).
  2. Clearing the nose of mucus, including before feeding (especially with continued breastfeeding).
  3. Use of moisturizers for the toilet of the nasal cavity.
  4. Dosed symptomatic use of medications.

You can give your child water (including mineral water without gas), warm children's tea, fresh fruit and dried fruit compote - preference is given to apples, pears, plums. It is better not to add sugar to drinks. It is necessary to free the nose from secretions, because if nasal breathing is disturbed, the child has to breathe through the mouth, which leads to the swallowing of air during feeding or even refusal of food.

nose toilet

A runny nose is accompanied by respiratory failure due to swelling and the presence of mucus. Small children still do not know how to blow their noses with high quality, besides, thick and viscous secretions cannot be removed by simply blowing their noses. Cleansing the nasal cavity from accumulated mucus and crusts is a method that allows you to say "no" to protracted colds. How to carry it out correctly? Treatment of a runny nose in a 1-year-old child necessitates the presence in a home first-aid kit:

  • saline solutions (0.9% sodium chloride solution, Otrivin Baby, etc.);
  • nasal aspirator;
  • sterile oil (olive, peach, almond).

Some saline preparations are offered already complete with aspirators. For a one-year-old child, it is better to choose drops rather than a spray - drip administration is safer than pushing liquid into the nose under pressure. Why saline solution for a cold? This tool can:

  • make slime liquid;
  • mechanically wash off the discharge from the mucous membrane;
  • moisturize the mucous membrane without irritating it.

How to cure a runny nose in a one-year-old child? The secretions, which have become watery from thick, begin to flow out of the nose on their own and are swallowed. The nasal aspirator facilitates the task of clearing the nose and allows you to remove snot much faster. With viral and catarrhal rhinitis, inhalation of cool, moist air in combination with a drip of saline preparations into the nose is the basis of treatment.

The advantage of saline solutions is, first of all, the possibility of frequent use. They can be dripped 2-3 drops even every hour - it is not necessary to always use an aspirator. If there is little discharge, you can do without it, limiting yourself to instillation of the nose.

Drops for the treatment of a runny nose in a one-year-old child should be heated to body temperature before use, held in the palm of your hand or dipped in a cup of warm water for several minutes.

Salt solution should not be cold. In addition to the adverse effect on the inflamed mucous membrane, the introduction of cold drops is unpleasant for the child - he begins to worry, prevents the subsequent instillation of the nose. Choose products with a salt concentration of 0.65 to 0.9%, avoid the use of hypertonic solutions - they irritate the already sensitive mucosa.

How to cure a runny nose in a child with oil remedies? Oil for young children is used to soften the crusts in the nose and prevent dryness of the mucous membrane, they are impregnated with cotton turundas. With a satisfactory microclimate and the correct application of saline, the need for oil usually does not arise.

Vasoconstrictor nasal drops

How to quickly cure a runny nose in a child? Unfortunately, it is not always possible to get by with one saline solution - with significant edema, additional preparations will be required. We are talking about vasoconstrictor drops, "first aid" for rhinitis. When picking up a bottle, pay attention to:

  • for the expiration date;
  • on the composition and concentration of the active substance;
  • on the duration of the therapeutic effect.

An expired drug loses its activity and can be hazardous to health. The composition should contain active ingredients allowed for children (Oxymetazoline, Phenylephrine) in a reduced concentration (for example, 0.01%, not 0.1%). There is a huge range of vasoconstrictor drops with similar names, so you need to take into account not the trade name (Nazivin, Vibrocil), but the active basis, which determines the pharmacological effect.

The duration of action (for example, about 6 hours) is the period during which the effect of vasoconstrictor drops is maintained. Short-acting drugs are much easier to overdose. When thinking about how to treat a runny nose in a child of 1 year old, you need to remember that the multiplicity of drops is from 2 to 4 times a day - this is what you should be guided by when choosing. However, the drug is not used prophylactically, but only if there are symptoms of a runny nose - if you can get by with a single injection, it is better to do so.

To eliminate a runny nose in a one-year-old child, no more than 1-2 drops of the drug are injected into each nostril, after cleaning the nose with a saline solution.

Important note: vasoconstrictor drops do not cure a runny nose, they are intended to temporarily relieve swelling that prevents the nose from breathing. They are also used if the nose is blocked with fever, the child develops shortness of breath, the presence of otitis or sinusitis is confirmed by the doctor. It is better to continue using the remedy for no more than 3 days, although if necessary, treatment can be extended up to 5 days.

There are two main ways of instillation of the nose:

  1. Lay the child on his back with his head thrown back - this position persists for several minutes after the introduction of drops.
  2. Invite the child to throw back his head, inject drops and tilt his head down, while gently pressing the nostril to the nasal septum. Repeat with the second nostril.

It is believed that in the second case, the ingestion of drops is prevented, and they act only locally, exclusively on the nasal mucosa. However, such an introduction requires some dexterity from the parents. Drops before use must be warmed in the same way as warming saline.

Treatment of a child who is one year old is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor - a specialist will explain what parents can do on their own, what drugs will be needed to improve the condition. Responsible attitude to the treatment of the common cold will help to avoid dangerous complications and bring recovery closer.