A runny nose in babies can be troubling from the first week of life. You need to deal with it when the first signs of the disease appear. How to treat a runny nose in a baby? To quickly get rid of unpleasant symptoms and avoid the appearance of adverse reactions, you need to choose the right drugs. There are not so many medicines allowed for newborns, so we will consider the most commonly prescribed medicines.
A runny nose in a baby for 3-7 months is quite difficult. This is due to the narrow nasal passages. Even a slight swelling of the mucous membrane leads to a complete lack of breathing. The treatment process is complicated by the fact that a child under the age of 1 year cannot blow his nose on his own, therefore, active removal of mucus with an aspirator is required.
Course of the disease
A runny nose in a child of 5 months can proceed quickly or be complicated by infectious diseases. The appearance of snot and nasal congestion in newborns can be a consequence of:
- physiological rhinitis. The first week of a baby's life may end with the development of rhinitis. It is due to the adaptation of the mucous membrane to new living conditions. In the prenatal period, the mucous membrane is in contact only with the amniotic fluid. After birth, she is faced with irritating environmental factors (dry air, dust, germs, allergens). It takes three to five weeks to get used to it. Usually, at eight to ten weeks of life, it becomes easier for a baby to breathe due to a decrease in the swelling of the mucous membrane and the volume of mucus secreted;
- hypothermia. Due to frequent colds, the mucous membrane does not have time to get rid of the edema and restore the secretory function. As a result, the signs of rhinitis can disturb the newborn for a long time;
- living in unfavorable conditions. If the air in the nursery is very dry or the concentration of dust is increased, the nasal mucosa may react with hypersecretion and edema;
- an allergic reaction. A 4-7 month old child may develop rhinorrhea after contact with animal hair, hygiene products, inhalation of strong odors of chemicals, pollen, fluff, as well as the introduction of complementary foods with new products;
- infection. Quite rarely, a runny nose in a child under one year old is the result of bacterial infection. The risk of viral infection increases with the expansion of the baby's circle of friends. This usually occurs in a child 8 months of age or older.
Clinical symptoms
A runny nose in children under 1 year old may be accompanied by the following symptoms:
- hyperthermia;
- nasal congestion;
- profuse rhinorrhea;
- lack of nasal breathing;
- coughing;
- anxiety;
- capriciousness;
- lacrimation;
- sneezing;
- soreness in the nasopharynx;
- decreased appetite;
- itchy sensations in the nasal passages;
- dryness in the mouth.
Rhinitis stages
A runny nose in a baby for 4 months goes through several stages, which are characterized by the following symptoms:
- at the first stage, the mucous membrane is irritated by microbes or environmental factors, which causes sneezing, worries about dryness, itching sensations in the nasal passages;
- on the second - snot flows in a stream, a runny nose in a baby 2 months old is characterized by a watery character and transparent discharge. The mucous membrane acquires a hyperemic shade and becomes edematous;
- for the third, an increase in the viscosity of snot, the appearance of a yellowish tint is characteristic. Usually this stage lasts 4 days and ends with recovery.
With normal immune protection, rhinitis in a child 2 years of age and older is not complicated, lasting up to 10 days.
Complications
In the absence of proper treatment, rhinitis in a 6-month-old child can be complicated by:
- otitis media. Given the short length of the Eustachian tube, swelling quickly covers its mucous membrane and makes it difficult to ventilate in the ear cavities. This is accompanied by the activation of opportunistic microorganisms and the development of otitis media. Symptomatically, the disease manifests itself as pain in the ear area, hearing loss and tinnitus;
- sinusitis. Long-term preservation of mucosal edema makes it difficult for air to pass into the paranasal sinuses. This is fraught with hypersecretion, mucus gradually accumulates in the cavities, and microbes begin to multiply rapidly;
- pharyngitis, laryngitis. Infection and inflammation quickly spread to the surrounding healthy tissues with the involvement of the laryngeal mucosa and the posterior pharyngeal wall in the pathological process. In childhood, it is dangerous to develop laryngospasm due to severe edema of the vocal cords;
- pneumonia. When a baby is 3 months old breathes through the mouth, cold air penetrates directly into the lower respiratory regions, which provokes the development of inflammation;
- hypotrophy. Weight loss is a serious complication of rhinitis in children of four months. In the absence of patency of the nasal passages, it is difficult for a child to suck on the breast and bottle, which is why he refuses to eat.
It is up to parents to ensure that the growing body is getting enough nutrients. To do this, you can spoon feed the baby.
When should you see a doctor?
You can treat a runny nose in children under one year old at home, the main thing is to notice the deterioration of the condition in time and consult a doctor. The reason for consulting a specialist is:
- the duration of rhinitis is more than 10 days;
- temperature increase;
- refusal of the child from food;
- weight loss;
- bloody nasal discharge;
- green tint of snot;
- frequent tantrums;
- poor sleep, violation of the daily routine.
Treatment recommendations
To cure a runny nose in an infant, it is necessary to improve living conditions in the nursery and use medicines.
It is necessary to treat a runny nose in a child of 6 months in compliance with some recommendations:
- control the nutritional regimen;
- maintain the humidity in the room at a level not lower than 60%;
- reduce the temperature in the nursery to 19 degrees;
- carry out wet cleaning daily;
- air the room twice a day;
- use hypoallergenic hygiene products.
How to treat snot in babies? A one-year-old child can be given:
- homeopathic medicines (Delufen);
- vasoconstrictor, for example, Nazol baby;
- salt solutions (Aqua Maris, Salin, Dolphin);
- antiseptics (Protargol).
Homeopathy
Delufen from the group of homeopathic remedies. The medicinal solution is odorless and colorless. Its action is:
- reducing the severity of inflammation;
- blocking the release of mediators that support the course of an allergic reaction;
- reduction of tissue swelling, the volume of nasal discharge;
- activation of regeneration processes;
- accelerating healing;
- protection of the mucous membrane from damaging factors;
- moisturizing the inner surface of the nose.
Homeopathic remedy for rhinitis for children is prescribed for microbial, allergic type of rhinitis. It is also used in the treatment of otitis media, eustachitis as an auxiliary medicine.
According to the instructions, Delufen is prohibited for infants, but doctors can prescribe it to a child up to a year old. The dosage is one spray twice a day.
The spray must be applied very carefully to avoid the penetration of the medicinal solution into the auditory tube.
The duration of the therapeutic course is 1-8 weeks (depending on the severity of the disease, the age and health of the baby).
In the presence of intolerance to the components of the drug, it is possible to increase salivation and develop bronchospasm.
Vasoconstrictor drugs
Vasoconstrictor drugs for the common cold for children are prescribed when there is a threat of complications of rhinitis. Next, we will talk about how to treat a runny nose in a child of two months and older.One of the first vasoconstrictor drugs is Nazivin 0.01% (you can give a baby of one month of age), the second most popular is Nazol baby.
Nazol baby is a drug for the common cold for children under one year old. Its main active ingredient is phenylephrine. Available in the form of a solution for drip dosing.
Contraindications include:
- hypersensitivity;
- high blood pressure;
- tachycardia;
- renal insufficiency;
- hepatitis;
- failure of the cardiac rhythm;
- hyperfunction of the thyroid gland.
A newborn at 2 months can be given the drug in a minimum dose. It is one drop in each nostril three times a day.
The maximum course of vasoconstrictor drugs is 7 days.
In rare cases, undesirable reactions occur in the form of tingling, dryness in the nasopharynx, dizziness, itching of the skin, rashes, swelling of the face and neck.
Saline solutions
The safest medicine for a baby is considered to be a solution based on Aqua Maris sea salt. The use of the drug in the form of drops is indicated for newborns. The action of the drug is aimed at:
- moisturizing the mucous membrane;
- strengthening local defenses;
- normalization of secretory function;
- restoration of the work of the cilia of the epithelium;
- increasing the resistance of the mucous membrane to the influence of environmental factors;
- decrease in the viscosity of mucus;
- cleansing the nasal passages of allergens, dust particles, chemicals;
- relief of nasal breathing.
The drug has no contraindications and is not accompanied by adverse reactions, which makes it possible to prescribe it from the first days of life. Daily doses are two drops up to four times. The duration of the course is 2-4 weeks. If necessary, the drug can be reused after a month.
For prophylaxis, the saline can be dripped twice daily. If the recommended doses are exceeded, the duration of the course increases the risk of changes in the microbial composition of the microflora of the nasopharynx, which is fraught with a decrease in the level of immune defense and activation of a fungal infection.
Antiseptics
Protargol (Sialor) is available in the form of a drip solution. The main active ingredient is silver proteinate, which is considered a powerful antiseptic.
The drug is prescribed for prophylaxis during an epidemic of viral diseases. With a therapeutic purpose, Protargol is prescribed for microbial rhinitis, as well as colds and allergic rhinitis, complicated by bacterial infection.
In addition to antiseptic properties, the medication has anti-inflammatory and protective effects. Unlike antibacterial drugs, Protargol does not destroy beneficial microorganisms of the flora of the nasopharynx, which makes it possible to use it for prevention.
Before instilling the nasal passages, it is necessary to clean them with saline solution. To do this, just drip two drops into each nostril and remove the solution using a special aspirator with a soft tip. It allows you to gently clear the nose from accumulations of mucus and dry crusts.
One drop of Protargol should be dripped onto the cleansed mucous membrane three times a day. The duration of the course is 5-7 days. Of the side effects, only a slight burning sensation in the nasal passages is noted.
The child needs to be dealt with from the first days of life. The main task of parents is to create a solid foundation for the formation of strong immunity. Having provided sufficient immune protection, it will only be necessary to support it with sports activities, tempering procedures and proper nutrition.
