Autumn is a beautiful time in its own way. Everywhere a variety of yellow, red and orange colors, fallen leaves rustling underfoot, the last warm days. But besides this, autumn brings with it the first cold puddles, wet feet, and colds.

Although autumn has just begun, we have already managed to earn our first in the new season. We went to the clinic not specifically because of a cold, but for a planned monthly audience, but, since it happened so, we asked the doctor about a cold.

With the local pediatrician, I think we were lucky. Intelligent, qualified and responsive woman. True, not very talkative, but this time she surprised us. Despite a decent queue, she took the time to draw our attention to the most important points related to the treatment of a common cold in a child, probably a topic that is really relevant. What she said seems to be obvious, I heard it more than once, but did not pay due attention, believing that a runny nose can be cured with simple vasoconstrictor drops. She also told how to treat a runny nose without drugs, without harming the child, in a short time.

Such her openness and the importance of the acquired knowledge prompted me to write this post in order to share with you, dear readers, this information that is undoubtedly useful and necessary for every mother.

This annoying runny nose

Runny nose- an unpleasant phenomenon, but inevitable, I think that a family that this guest has never visited probably does not exist. There are many causes of a runny nose, depending on this, you can qualify a runny nose on the:

• Runny nose as a manifestation of allergies;
• Physiological runny nose - a reaction to teething;
• Runny nose as a manifestation of a cold;
• Runny nose as a manifestation of an acute viral infection;

With the first, third and fourth varieties, I think everything is clear. Runny nose during teething caused by increased blood circulation in the jaw area, which in turn increases blood circulation in the nasal area, thus causing a runny nose (by the same principle, one can sometimes observe a runny nose. A physiological runny nose disappears in a couple of days. As the pediatrician said, we most likely he is, since the child, in addition to a runny nose, is only worried about the teeth, and the body temperature remains normal.

Runny nose treatment

I'll tell you verbatim what the doctor told us. The main task of parents in a situation where a child has a runny nose is NOT “turn on the heater” and NOT “rather put vasoconstrictor drops in the nose”, but don't let the snot dry up !

Without going into medical details, the above rule boils down to the following: if liquid snot - everything is fine, they will either flow out on their own, or they can be easily removed mechanically using a special aspirator or enema. In such a situation, there is every chance that a runny nose will pass quickly and painlessly. If snot dry up - it will obviously be impossible to clear the nose, breathing will be difficult and the risk of complications will increase significantly, since mucus can descend into the lower respiratory tract and subsequently cause bronchitis and even pneumonia!

Everything is based on this obvious rule. cold treatment : all products are suitable for this, aimed at moisturizing the nasal mucosa and maintaining the desired air temperature in the room to prevent the mucus from drying out. Thus, to common cold medicines include the following:

Cold medicine

• Saline or sea ​​water for rinsing the nose . You can buy a saline solution at a pharmacy, or you can make it yourself: a teaspoon of salt per liter of boiled water. Sea water is sold in a pharmacy (Aquamaris, Humer (aerosol), etc.). The only thing that, before using the aerosol, be sure to pay attention to the age of the child from which the aerosol can be used. This is very important, because if you use the aerosol ahead of time, you can create excessive pressure in the nasopharynx, and this is fraught with undesirable consequences;
• Enemas and special aspirators for the mechanical removal of snot (relevant for young children who still do not know how to blow their nose on their own);
• Child plentifully to drink;
• Provide fresh, clean and cool indoor air (turn on the humidifier, ventilate often, do wet cleaning);
• More walk on the street;

Vasoconstrictor drugs

Often, with a runny nose, mothers drip vasoconstrictor drops to their children, considering them the only possible cure for a runny nose. But such drops should be treated with caution, they are not as harmless as they seem!

The fact is that vasoconstrictor drops have quite a few side effects and are addictive, so in most cases it is better to refrain from using them. Cases in which such drops apply is necessary clearly defined. To my shame, I didn’t know them, so I wrote them down right in the doctor’s office:

Cases in which it is necessary to drip vasoconstrictor drops:

• At acute otitis media;
• If a child can't breathe through the nose at all(breathes only through the mouth);
• With difficulty breathing through the nose and difficulty breathing through the mouth(dyspnea, croup, asthma);
• With difficulty breathing through the nose in a situation where the room where the child is very hot and nothing can be done about it;
• With difficulty breathing through the nose and very high body temperature(more than 38.5 degrees);

So, with a common cold, it is better not to use vasoconstrictor drops.

On this, perhaps, all about the treatment of the common cold. As you can see, it comes down to regularly rinsing the nose, humidifying the air in the room and drinking plenty of water. Everything is very simple, but at the same time it is very important for the health of the child.

Good health to you and your kids!

With love,

Marina Kruchinskaya

Rhinitis or, as we used to call it, a runny nose, is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa, accompanied by characteristic secretions. A runny nose can be a concomitant symptom of certain "malfunctions in the body", but it can also act as an independent, separate disease. Let's try to figure out how to cope with this disease in a child.

How does a runny nose develop?

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

The reflex stage is the shortest, it lasts only a few hours. The mucous membrane becomes pale, while the vessels narrow sharply. The process is accompanied by the appearance of dryness and itching in the nose.

catarrhal stage. Its duration is approximately two to three days. The mucous membrane of the nose turns red, swells, while the vessels expand, breathing becomes difficult. This period can be called the peak of the common cold.

Recovery stage. During this period, the functional abilities of the nose are restored. Puffiness, redness subsides, nasal breathing normalizes, burning sensation, dryness and itching in the nose disappear. The contents of the discharge from the nose becomes yellow-green in color, thick. If you start timely and correct treatment of rhinitis, then the child's disease will last no more than 7-10 days.

Runny nose treatment

No matter how strange it may sound, but the main thing in the treatment of a runny nose in a child is to prevent sputum from drying out in the nasal cavity. There are situations when the baby has a runny nose, and there are no drops under his arms. Then pediatricians are advised to prepare a saline solution, which must be dripped into each nostril, three to four drops at intervals of every half an hour or an hour. Instead of a saline solution, you can use an oil solution of vitamins "E" or "A" - this helps to moisturize the nasal mucosa, in addition, irritation is removed, resulting in regeneration of the nasal cavity.

To fight a child's runny nose, of course, drops will help you. To date, there are a huge number of funds, among them it is especially necessary to highlight complex-furatsilin drops, collargol and protargol and some others.

According to the majority, the most "valuable" remedy in the fight against the common cold is protargol. You will ask why? The thing is that this product contains about 8% silver. Drops have astringent, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action. Therefore, if you notice the first signs of an “impending” runny nose in a child or in yourself, just drip a few drops of this drug into your nose before going to bed. It should be noted that protargol is safe even for newborns.

Another drug that we mentioned is collargol. This remedy has the same properties as protargol - the drops also contain silver, so at the first manifestations of rhinitis before going to bed, drop it into the baby's nose. Pediatricians recommend using this remedy even with inflamed adenoids. However, do not forget to consult a pediatrician before buying this medication.

Complex-furatsilin drops will be very useful if the baby has a chronic or prolonged runny nose. The components contained in the drops have an antihistamine and antimicrobial effect, while contributing to vasoconstriction and elimination of tissue edema. Use drops 3 times a day, 2 drops in each nostril. You can use cotton swabs soaked in this solution, the maximum “exposure” time of which in the nasal cavity is 3 minutes.

Drugs that promote vasoconstriction:

Vibrocil - used at the very beginning of a runny nose, contributes to the "thickening" of the contents of the nose. Dosage: 1 drop 3 times a day.

Nazivin - on the contrary, is used to thin the contents of the nose. Dosage: 1 drop 3 times a day.

Note that both vibrocil and Nazivin can be used no more than 3 days in a row.

Active substance	Medicine name	Age restrictions	Duration	Dose and mode of use
Phenylephrine	Symptomatic cold medicines: Rinza, Coldrex, Antiflu, etc.	In pediatrics, they are used very limitedly. Approved for the treatment of children over 12 years of age	Several hours
	Vibrocil	Drops - can be used for infants. Spray and gel - from 6 years.	6 - 8 hours	Not more than 3-4 times a day. Children over 6 years old - 3-4 times a day in each nasal passage, 3-4 drops or 1-2 spray injections. Children under 6 years old - only drops 3-4 times a day. From 1 year to 6 years - 1-2 drops, up to 1 year - 1 drop each
	Nazol Baby 0.125%	From 1 year.	Average duration of action	No more than once every 6 hours. For children older than a year, 1-2 drops. For children over 6 years old 3-4 drops
Nafazoline	Naphthyzine 0.025%	2 to 6 years old	Short duration of action
Imidazoline (xylometazoline)	Otrivin (children's)	From the first day of a child's life	10 - 12 hours	3-4 times a day for no more than 10 days. 1-3 drops in each nasal passage.
	Xymelin 0.05%	2 to 12 years old	10-12 hours	Bury in the nose no more than 3 times a day for no more than 5-7 days. Children from 2 to 6 years old - 1-2 drops or 1 spray dose in each nasal passage, children over 6 years old - 2-3 drops or 1 spray dose
	Xymelin 0.1%	Over 12 years old	10-12 hours
	Nazivin 0.01%	For the treatment of rhinitis in newborns and children 1 year of age	10-12 hours	Bury in the nose 1 drop 2-3 times a day. Apply no more than 3-5 days.
	Nazivin 0.025%	For the treatment of the common cold in children aged 1 to 6 years	Till 12 o'clock	1-2 drops in each nasal passage 2-3 times a day. Take no more than 3-5 days
	Nazivin 0.05%	For the treatment of the common cold in children over 6 years of age and adolescents	Till 12 o'clock
Sodium deoxyribonucleate		From the first day of a child's life	Till 12 o'clock	2 drops of the drug are instilled into each nasal passage 2-4 times a day for 7-10 days.

Water procedures against the common cold

You can fight a runny nose with the help of hot baths with the addition of a few drops of essential oil, the leader among which is considered to be tea tree oil. About 5 drops of oil are enough for a bath. It is worth noting that children are not recommended to take an aromatic bath for longer than 15 minutes. After the procedure, you need to thoroughly rub the child with a towel and put on warm pajamas, after which you need to immediately put the baby to bed. Such a procedure is very effective not only in the fight against the common cold, but also with the onset of a cold.

On the importance of fresh air

Pathogenic microbes that are in the air only aggravate the already not very good state of health of the child. And in order for the air to become our ally in the fight against dangerous microbes, it is necessary to humidify and disinfect it. And a specially prepared mixture will help us in this: take 100 ml of alcohol, add 20 drops of tea tree oil and 20 drops of eucalyptus oil to it. The finished mixture must be sprayed in the air every hour.

You can also use ready-made preparations produced in the form of aerosols, because they contain essential oils (rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus, cloves), which have an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial effect. In addition, you can moisten a cloth with the appropriate mixture and put it at the head of a sick child.

And do not forget to regularly ventilate the room.

Treatment of the common cold with inhalation

Inhalation is an extremely useful and important procedure in the fight against inflammatory processes that occur in the respiratory tract. After taking inhalations, in no case should you go outside (at least two hours). It is important to remember that the temperature of the water for inhalation should not exceed 40 ° C.

Inhalations with pine buds. For 1-2 liters of water, 3 tbsp. spoons of pine buds, which need to be properly steamed until they swell.

Inhalation with eucalyptus. Eucalyptus leaves are sold in pharmacies. For 1 liter of water you need 2 tbsp. spoons of leaves, which must first be boiled. If it was not possible to purchase eucalyptus leaves, then a few drops of the essential oil of this plant will successfully replace them. As experts assure, this medicinal plant from time immemorial has helped people heal from a cold in just three days.

Inhalations using blackberry leaves and coltsfoot. For inhalation, 200 ml of water, 15 grams of coltsfoot leaves and 20 grams of blackberry leaves are taken. A separate decoction is brewed from each plant, which is then poured into one container for inhalation.

Inhalations from calendula flowers (marigolds) and raspberry leaves. For 200 ml of water, 20 grams of raspberry leaves are taken. For the same amount of water, 10 grams of calendula flowers are taken. Then both infusions are mixed. This type of inhalation is very effective in chronic rhinitis.

Traditional medicine against the common cold

1. 5% iodine is taken and applied with a cotton pad on the baby's heels, warm woolen socks are put on top.

2. Drops in the nose, made on the basis of honey. To prepare droplets, you need to take warm water and dissolve honey in it, based on a ratio of 4: 1. Apply no more than three times a day. An excellent remedy for combating a runny nose even in the smallest children.

3. In acute and chronic rhinitis, it is recommended to use beetroot juice and honey in a ratio of 2:1. Such drops can be used up to 5 times per day. This remedy is especially effective in the acute form of the common cold, but it also helps many in the chronic form of the disease. It is used in the treatment of inflammation of the adenoids in very young children.

4. Onion drops from the common cold. One large onion is taken and rubbed on a grater. For a quarter cup of warm water - 3 tbsp. tablespoons of onion gruel and 1 teaspoon of honey. Everything is thoroughly mixed, after which it is infused for about 30 minutes. The resulting mixture must be filtered through cheesecloth or a sieve. You can use them up to 5 times a day, it is also recommended to use for washing the nose.

5. A solution that is prepared in a matter of minutes will help to overcome a runny nose in a baby: for this, warm water (1 liter) is taken, sea salt (1 tsp), baking soda (? tsp) and 5% iodine are added to it (6 drops).

Irina Vasilyeva

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Below are the most common causes of a runny nose in children.

1. Viral infections. Coronaviruses, rhinoviruses, adenoviruses and other pathogenic agents cause acute forms of rhinitis in a child.
2. Bacterial and fungal infections. Less commonly, they cause a runny nose, as a rule, they are pathogens in the later stages of rhinitis during the transition from the acute to the chronic stage of the disease.
3. Hypothermia or a sharp temperature drop. Local or general hypothermia / temperature drop in the child's body is not considered a direct cause of the common cold, but significantly reduces the immune response, which in turn allows viruses, bacteria and other pathogens to become activated almost unhindered and provoke the development of the underlying disease.
4. Allergens. Allergic rhinitis is a real scourge of modern society, especially for a child living in a large metropolis. Seasonal plant pollen, pet hair or saliva, dust, waste products of mites, other types of allergens can provoke the development of acute and chronic rhinitis, which does not go away on its own and requires special therapy.
5. Manifestations of other underlying diseases. A runny nose almost always accompanies diseases such as influenza, measles, diphtheria, and so on.
6. The impact of smoke, chemicals, other irritants on the mucous membrane.
7. Contact with the mucous membrane of a foreign body.
8. Side effects of a number of medications (drug rhinitis).

Symptoms

The symptoms of a runny nose are quite unambiguous and have a clear clinical picture.

1. First stage. Dry irritation of the mucosa with its hyperemia. There is a burning sensation in the nasal passages, the child constantly wants to sneeze and “cry”. Subfebrinal temperature often manifests itself, there is a moderate pain syndrome of the head, general malaise, weakness, in some cases - signs of intoxication with aching limbs. As a rule, this stage lasts a day, a maximum of two days.
2. Second stage. Puffiness forms on the mucous membrane, breathing through the nose is difficult, due to the narrowing of the nasal passages, nasal congestion develops, children often have impaired ability to taste and smell. Wet serous secretions are actively manifested, often liquid and colorless - this seeps through weakened small-caliber vessels, the liquid fraction of blood plasma, which in turn provokes forced secretion already on the mucosa. Around the nasal passages, on the wings of the nose and upper lip, there is irritation caused by the serous components of the secret - sodium chloride and ammonia.
3. Third stage. With a sufficiently strong immunity in a child, a cold can pass in 3-5 days and end in the second stage. If this does not happen, then after a while, you will be able to observe a yellow/green mucopurulent discharge from the nose with an almost complete blockade of the nasal passages due to severe edema. The child breathes exclusively through the mouth, there is a partial hearing loss due to stuffy ears. Under favorable circumstances, after another 3-4 days, the above symptoms subside, the swelling begins to subside and the cure occurs 14-18 days after the onset of the common cold. However, in the absence of proper treatment in most cases, rhinitis passes into a chronic phase.

Satisfied, most parents do not perceive a runny nose as a disease and let it take its course, believing that after a while, the child's immunity will cope with the disease on its own. Unfortunately, the current generation of children has a weakened immune system, which in turn creates certain risks of complications even after a common cold. A runny nose in a child can and should be treated!

It is very important to understand the cause of the common cold. If a runny nose is caused by SARS or a common cold, then there is no need to carry out "active" treatment. First of all, it is necessary to provide the apartment with fresh air (ventilate often). Secondly, make sure that the air in the apartment is humid. Moisten the nasal passage with normal saline or a preparation such as Salina. In 90% of cases, this is more than enough to treat a runny nose in a child.

What to do when a child has a runny nose

1. First of all - identify the cause of a runny nose, and do not run to the pharmacy for vasoconstrictor drugs.
2. If the child is small, make sure that mucus does not accumulate in the nose, regularly free the nasal passages from snot with the help of an aspirator. Can a baby blow his nose on his own? Provide him with disposable wipes, which after use can be thrown into a bucket to wash his hands. Leave tissue handkerchiefs in the last century - bacteria accumulate on them.
3. Without extreme necessity, do not use antipyretics - the correct immune response of the body involves the occurrence of subfebrile temperature, therefore it is rational to use paracetamol and other drugs only in case of high fever and raising the rate above 38 degrees.
4. Try to protect the child from drafts, while regularly ventilating the rooms where he is, if necessary, ensuring a normal level of humidity.
5. Avoid nose drops based on eucalyptus, peppermint, milk, etc. oils. - in a child, this can not only aggravate the disease, causing additional irritation, an active allergic response, and in some cases even sinusitis, when a viscous substance enters the nasal sinuses and accumulates there.

Medical

1. providing temporary relief of edema - Vibrocil, Brizolin, Otrivin, Nazivin for the appropriate age. They can be used for no more than 10 days in a row, since the mucosa quickly gets used to the main active ingredient of the drug and its effectiveness is significantly reduced. Moreover, with prolonged use, vasoconstrictor drugs can cause a reverse reaction - drug-induced rhinitis.
2. - drugs Dolphin, Aqua-Maris, etc. Produced after the use of vasoconstrictor drugs and thorough blowing. If the child is too small and this procedure cannot be carried out, use the usual instillation of saline or drugs like Salina according to the above scheme.
3. Local use of antiseptics and anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, the drug "Protargol" of the Kirov Pharmaceutical Factory. When instilled, "Protargol" not only prevents the growth of bacteria, but also has an astringent and anti-inflammatory effect. The silver ions contained in the Protargol solution block the growth of bacteria and form a protective film by binding to mucus proteins. This helps to reduce inflammation in the nasopharynx.
4. With the allergic nature of the common cold, antihistamines Loratadine in tablets or Erius in syrup.
5. Antiviral and antibacterial local preparations. In the case of a confirmed infectious nature of the disease, the use of local antibiotics and antiviral sprays, such as Bioparox, Isofra.
6. The use of non-narcotic analgesics and antipyretics of low toxicity with an antipyretic effect as needed - paracetamol, ibuprofen in tablets, rectal suppositories or syrup.
7. The use of immunomodulators in instillation solutions (Derinat) or tablet / syrup forms based on interferon and its derivatives / combinations.
8. Vitamin complexes with a high content of vitamin C.
9. Conservative physiotherapy - diathermy, UHF, UV irradiation, inhalation with a nebulizer.

Treatment with folk remedies

Any folk remedies used for a child in the treatment of a cold must be agreed with the pediatrician without fail!

1. Squeeze the juice from beets or carrots, dilute it 1 to 1 with clean water and instill one drop in each nostril three times a day for a week.
2. Perform inhalations based on decoctions of chamomile or saline solutions.
3. Dissolve ½ teaspoon of salt in 100 milliliters of water, moisten 2 swabs with the solution and place them in the child's sinuses for 5 minutes.
4. Take the required amount of onion and honey in a ratio of 1 to 1, make the most pounded mixture from the ingredients and take one teaspoon 4 times a day thirty minutes before meals for a week.
5. Brew 50 grams of pine buds in 1 liter of water, boil the broth for 10 minutes, strain and let the child drink 4 times a day in a glass with honey or jam.
6. Take in equal proportions dry collections of calendula, yarrow and chamomile. Pour one teaspoon of the mix with a glass of boiling water and put in a water bath (about twenty minutes). Cool, strain and drip into the nose two drops three times a day for a week and a half.
7. Cut the onion in half, grate the garlic, put the components on a plate. Let the child breathe the emitted phytoncides until a slight burning sensation appears in the nose / throat. Repeat the procedure 5-6 times a day until recovery.

Complications after a cold in a child

The list of possible complications of the common cold in children includes the formation of a chronic form of rhinitis, otitis media, conjunctivitis, all types of sinusitis, diseases of the lower respiratory tract (laryngitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, tracheitis), and in some cases meningitis.

Prevention

The basic preventive list of measures to prevent the occurrence of a runny nose in a child includes hardening, normalization of lifestyle with the organization of a proper diet and a full cycle of work / rest / sleep, taking general tonic and immunomodulating agents, as well as the use of external protective ointments applied to the inner surface of the nasal passages (oxolinic ointment) during epidemics, timely treatment of pathologies of the nasopharynx (adenoids, deviated septum, etc.).

Useful video

Runny nose and medicines for the common cold - Dr. Komarovsky's School

Komarovsky about children's runny nose

In children?" To begin with, let's find out how it appears.

In the nasal cavity, the inhaled air is cleaned of dust particles and allergenic substances, as well as moistened and warmed. When immunity weakens, pathogenic microbes penetrate the nasal mucosa, which multiply very quickly and damage its integrity. The upper part of the epithelium begins to exfoliate, and inflammation occurs. This is called a runny nose. Children are especially susceptible to such trouble, because the defenses of a small organism are not yet too strong. So, in children? It all depends on its type. By the way, a runny nose is practically not the only symptom. Very often, a common cold, flu, measles begin with it. A runny nose is joined by fever, headache, and aches all over the body. This worsens the feeling even more. Therefore, it is necessary to act in a complex. How to properly treat a runny nose for a child, an experienced doctor will tell you.

Most often, infectious rhinitis is observed in children. According to most pediatricians, you should not rush and use medication for treatment. To begin with, it is enough to bury the baby's nose with saline and rinse it with warm water with sea salt or decoctions of chamomile, St. John's wort, calendula. Also, natural remedies from aloe and Kalanchoe will come to the rescue. The juice of these plants perfectly cleanses the nasal passages.

If the runny nose does not stop for more than two weeks, the discharge from the nose is thick and purulent, the child complains of a headache, his temperature periodically rises to 38ºС, then you should immediately consult a doctor. He will make an accurate diagnosis and tell you how to treat a runny nose in children in this case. In all likelihood, this is sinusitis - inflammation of the sinuses (sinuses) of the nose. You will need to donate blood, do a tomography or x-ray. If you start sinusitis, then it will turn into a chronic form. For treatment, vasoconstrictor drops are used, they help relieve swelling. In the complex, it is recommended to use anti-inflammatory drugs. But if the condition is severe, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics.

The most frequently inflamed are the largest - maxillary (maxillary) sinuses. Sinusitis is the most common type of sinusitis. In this case, it is necessary to act immediately and as soon as possible to find out from the doctor how to treat a runny nose in children in this situation. It is necessary to quickly remove the swelling of the nasal mucosa and remove sputum from. Most likely, the doctor will recommend this process to be carried out using soft catheters. The patient is placed on his back on the couch, and the doctor inserts catheters into both nostrils, then the drug solution is slowly poured into one of them, and it is sucked out of the second. This procedure is absolutely painless and helps to wash both halves of the nasal cavity without affecting the airways and nasopharynx. are cleansed, the pus is removed, and the inflammation gradually subsides.

In any case, at the first signs of a beginning disease, it is best to consult a doctor. An experienced specialist will tell you how to treat a runny nose for a one-year-old child, as well as older children and adults.

In babies, a runny nose occurs more often than in adults and is usually more severe. Young children cannot blow their nose on their own, and mothers have to show miracles of ingenuity in order to rid the baby of the mucus accumulated in the nose. In older children, treatment is often hampered by overgrown adenoids - this is how doctors call inflamed nasopharyngeal tonsils.

Banal at first glance, a runny nose can also cause more formidable ones, such as sinusitis or otitis media. At the same time, it happens that snot appears in healthy children, and here the main task of parents is to consider and try to eliminate the cause.

Nasal congestion in a child may occur due to too dry air in the apartment. In this case, it is enough to open the window more often. If this is not enough, but you don’t want to use purchased air humidifiers, you can hang a damp towel on the steam heating battery.

Sometimes the reaction makes the baby sniffle. Watch the child. Perhaps he begins to rub his nose when a cat appears nearby, or after he eats some particular food.

Or maybe you recently bought him a new toy or changed the washing powder? Be sure to tell your doctor about your guesses and try to get rid of the likely allergen as soon as possible.

The cause of difficulty breathing in children may be a foreign object that an inquisitive baby accidentally put into the nasal passage. If you suspect that this has happened, do not try to examine the child yourself or, even worse, get a foreign object. Seek immediate medical attention.

However, the most common cause of a runny nose in children is an acute viral infection. In this case, the snot helps the baby's body to overcome the infection. However, they "work" only if they do not linger in the nose. Turning into a thick mass that makes breathing difficult, the snot turns into an excellent breeding ground for harmful microorganisms.

How to get rid of snot in a child

Use an aspirator

If the snot is liquid, then a special aspirator, which is easy to buy at a pharmacy, will help remove them from the nasal passages.

Put saline in your nose

Saline solution will not thicken the mucus that has accumulated in the nasal passages. Saline can be used to combat the common cold even in newborns and infants. It is necessary to instill saline solution 2-3 drops into the nasal passages previously cleaned with an aspirator.

The technique is as follows: the baby is placed on a barrel, instilled into the spout from a pipette, and then picked up. This procedure can be carried out up to five times a day.

Older children can not only instill saline solution into the nose, but also inhale it through a nebulizer. You can rinse your nose with a syringe or a special Dolphin device, which is sold at a pharmacy. It is important not to overdo it here: the pressure should not be too strong, otherwise the infection can get into the sinuses or the middle ear cavity.

It is not necessary for a child from the age of one to lay on its side. Have your baby sit down and ask him to tilt his head slightly. Gradually pouring saline into the nasal passage, wait until it pours out along with the mucus, and repeat the same for the other nasal passage.

Ask your child to blow his nose

It is important that the baby blows his nose carefully and without tearing, first pinching one nostril with his finger, and then the second.

An important detail: before washing the nose of a preschool child, explain to him the essence of the procedure and try to turn this procedure into a game. If the baby is afraid to flush the nasal passages or resist it, you will not be able to rinse the nose well.

How to teach a child to blow his nose

Ideally, teaching a child to blow his nose should be when he is healthy, and do it in a playful way. Offer to play "locomotive" or "hedgehog", explain how the spout should puff and blow out air.

If the baby is sick, you can teach him to blow his nose when he does not have difficulty breathing. Pinch one nostril with your finger and ask the child to blow through his nose, but do not provoke him to blow too much air. Repeat the procedure for the other nostril.

What to do if thick snot prevents the child from breathing

When the snot becomes thick, and nasal breathing is very difficult, vasoconstrictor drops are indispensable. You can only use those that are recommended for young children.

Instillation into the spout of saline in this case will also be very appropriate. It will gradually make the snot more liquid.

What to do if a runny nose does not go away

Be sure to take your child to the doctor if:

• runny nose does not go away within a few days;
• snot acquired a yellow tint;
• child complains.

Otitis media often becomes a complication of a prolonged runny nose. You can suspect otitis in a baby if the baby cries out during feeding, or constantly rubs the ear.

Is it worth it to use "folk" remedies for the treatment of the common cold

There are a lot of recipes for the treatment of the common cold with "folk" remedies. But there are even more complications that can lead to a passion for alternative medicine. Let's look at some of the most popular methods.

ENT doctors are horrified when mothers tell how beetroot, onion or garlic juice was instilled into the child's nose. Some mothers use Kalanchoe juice to free the baby's nose from the accumulation of mucus. It is diluted with water 1/1 and instilled a couple of drops into each nostril. The kid sneezes heartily and thus blows his nose. Doctors do not really like this method: there is always a danger.

It is not uncommon to hear that nursing mothers treat a runny nose in children by instilling breast milk into their noses. There is no benefit from this, but the harm is obvious. Milk is an excellent environment for the development of microorganisms.

Another way to treat a runny nose without drugs is dry mustard. It can be poured into the socks of a child older than two or three years, but only if the baby does not have a temperature. Mustard has a warming effect, heat affects the reflexogenic zones, and the runny nose gradually recedes.

But it is not worth warming up the sinuses, especially with prolonged rhinitis, without consulting an ENT doctor. Thus, you can provoke sinusitis.