Nasal drops for a newborn are often the only method of dealing with nasal congestion. In the case of an uncomplicated course of the disease, topical preparations can be used. Note that tablet forms for internal administration have a greater number of contraindications and adverse reactions, which is undesirable for an infant.
The treatment of the baby should be dealt with when the first symptoms of nasal congestion appear, since there is a high risk of serious complications:
- otitis. It develops as a result of the spread of the inflammatory process to the mucous membrane of the auditory tube. Given its short length, the inflammation quickly covers the ear cavities;
- sinusitis. Prolonged rhinitis is accompanied by swelling of the nasal mucosa, which impedes the outflow of mucus from the paranasal sinuses, and also disrupts natural ventilation in them. The accumulation of mucous secretions leads to intensive reproduction of microbes and inflammation of the sinus mucosa;
- laryngitis, bronchitis. Due to the lack of nasal breathing, the baby inhales uncleaned, cold air through the mouth. As a result, the risk of inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract increases;
- hypotrophy. Babies need to receive a sufficient volume of breast milk or a highly adapted formula every day, which is required for the full development of internal organs. Nasal congestion makes it difficult to feed because the baby cannot breathe when the lips are wrapped around the nipple.
In newborns, complications develop rather quickly, so it is important to start therapy on time.
Therapeutic tactics
To cure an infant from a cold, you need to correctly diagnose and determine the root cause of the disease. Depending on the severity of the disease and the condition of the baby, the following groups of drugs can be prescribed:
- vasoconstrictor;
- saline;
- antiviral;
- homeopathic;
- antibacterial;
- antihistamines;
- immunomodulators.
Vasoconstrictor drugs
Any vasoconstrictor nasal drops for newborns have contraindications and side effects. Often they are appointed only in exceptional cases, namely when:
- the threat of otitis media, sinusitis or tracheitis;
- shortness of breath, sleep apnea;
- high hyperthermia;
- weight loss to facilitate nasal breathing while feeding.
The action of the drugs of this group is to reduce the diameter of the blood vessels of the nasopharynx, as a result of which the swelling of the mucous membrane decreases, and nasal breathing is restored.
Nazol baby
In addition to the vasoconstrictor effect, the drug moisturizes and softens the nasal mucosa. Due to local vasospasm, the outflow of mucus from the paranasal sinuses improves, which prevents its accumulation and the development of sinusitis.
These nasal drops are not absorbed into the systemic bloodstream, they begin to act 4 minutes after administration.
The medicine is allowed for babies from two months. It should be dripped drop by drop three times a day. Usually, the drug is well tolerated, however, in some cases, instillation may be accompanied by burning sensations in the nasopharynx, hyperemia of the skin of the face, disturbed cardiac rhythm, dizziness, moodiness.
Contraindications include:
- individual intolerance;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- diabetes.
Other drugs
Newborns are prohibited from instilling drugs such as Naphthyzin. Softer medicines are recommended for children:
- Nazol baby (active ingredient - phenylephrine);
- Nazivin (0.01%) with oxymetazoline;
- Vibrocil, Dlyanos - under medical supervision.
Salt remedies
Saline drops can be dripped into the newborn's nose without fear.
Solutions based on seawater allow you to moisturize, cleanse the mucous membrane, increase its protective properties, as well as soften dry crusts and accelerate the regeneration process.
Otrivin baby
The solution is available in special bottles for the care of children, including the newborn period. It can be used not only for therapeutic purposes, but also for prophylaxis. Maintaining an optimal level of moisture in the mucous membrane, and regularly cleaning it from dust, you can reduce the risk of a runny nose several times.
If the air in the nursery is dry, crusts may form in the nasal cavities due to the drying of mucus. To easily remove them without injuring the delicate mucous membrane, it is enough to drip Otrivin baby, wait a couple of minutes and clean the nose. It is especially important to maintain the humidity level when using air conditioners, central heating and heaters that dry the air.
For the convenience of the procedure, a special aspirator with a soft tip should be used. It does not injure the tissues of the nose and gently removes mucus from it. One dropper bottle can be stored for 12 hours after opening.
Other saline solutions
Babies are allowed to use:
- Otrivin baby;
- Aqua Maris;
- Dolphin;
- Aqualor.
The listed funds can be used for a long time, up to four times a day.
Note that a good alternative to the listed drugs is saline, which is much cheaper.
Antiviral droplets
In recent years, pediatricians have often prescribed antiviral drugs in the form of a nasal solution. Such drugs fight against viral pathogens, strengthen the protective properties of the mucous membrane and prevent the addition of a secondary bacterial infection. The drugs are recommended to be used when the first signs of the disease appear, which will significantly increase their effectiveness.
Grippferon
The medication belongs to anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating and antiviral drugs. It is effective against adeno-, corona-, rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, influenza.
After administration, it retains its protective properties for 4 hours. Addiction does not develop to the drug. Grippferon makes it possible not only to reduce a runny nose, but get rid of headaches, body aches and fever.
If treatment began at the first stage of a viral disease, the duration of the latter is reduced by 50%, and the risk of complications is also reduced. After two days, the child ceases to be contagious, which is important for children's groups.
Grippferon can be used from birth for the treatment and prevention of viral diseases during epidemic periods. Contraindications include individual intolerance and severe allergic reactions. With a cold, a newborn can drip drop by drop up to five times a day. Starting from a year, a single dose is doubled, but the frequency of instillation is reduced to three times a day.
After administration of the drug, it is recommended to massage the wings of the nose for 10 seconds. This is necessary for even distribution of the drug, accelerated absorption and activation of local blood flow.
The simultaneous administration of antiviral and vasoconstrictor agents is not recommended due to severe drying of the mucous membrane.
Other medications
Most of the antiviral agents for intranasal administration consist of interferons (Grippferon, Nazoferon, Interferon, Alfaron).
Homeopathic medicines
The main advantage of the homeopathic group of medicines is the absence of side reactions and contraindications. It is extremely rare to hear about the appearance of undesirable consequences after using these funds.
From the first months of life, you can use Euphorbium Compositum or Delufen (in consultation with your doctor). They are absolutely safe, so parents should not worry about the child's tolerance of the medicine. Euphorbium compositum Nazentropfen C refers to complex agents with antiallergic, anti-inflammatory properties. It accelerates regeneration processes, normalizes metabolism, moisturizes mucous membranes and facilitates nasal breathing.
Thanks to the natural composition, an improvement in the condition is observed already on the third day of the therapeutic course. The drug does not cause burning and dryness, unlike vasoconstrictors. It is effective both in monotherapy and in combination therapy.
Indications include:
- rhinitis (infectious, allergic, atrophic, hyperplastic);
- ozena;
- adenoiditis;
- otitis;
- sinusitis;
- eustachitis.
The spray is injected using a dispenser. For babies, one dose three times a day is recommended. In rare cases, you may notice itching and burning sensations in the nasal passages.
Antibacterial drops
Local antibiotics are prescribed exclusively by a pediatrician, since their uncontrolled use leads to the development of microbial resistance and disruption of the flora of the nasopharynx.
Pinosol
Given the herbal origin of the drug, it is most commonly used in pediatrics. Its components are pine, mint, eucalyptus oil, vitamin E, and thymol.
Due to the multicomponent composition, drops from the common cold for a newborn have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, emollient, mild vasoconstrictor effect. In addition, they accelerate regeneration, which increases the local protection of the mucous membrane, activates blood flow and improves tissue nutrition.
Pinosol is recommended for infectious rhinitis. It is worth remembering that with a viral rhinitis in the first days of the disease, the use of the drug is prohibited due to the high risk of rapid progression of the pathology. Among the contraindications should be noted allergic rhinitis and individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
Pinosol is instilled twice a day, drop by drop.
Other medicines
What nasal drops can be used in babies? According to Izofra's instructions, Protargol and Pinosol are not prescribed for infants. However, if necessary, the doctor may consider options for antibiotic therapy with these drugs in babies under one year old.
Antihistamines
In the case of an allergic origin of the disease, the appointment of antihistamines is required. Their action is aimed at suppressing the allergic reaction, reducing tissue edema, rhinorrhea and facilitating nasal breathing.
A striking representative of the antihistamine group is Vibrocil. It is widely used in pediatric practice due to its combined composition. In addition to the antihistamine component, it contains phenylephrine, which has a vasoconstrictor effect. Vibrocil is available in several forms. Drops can be prescribed to infants, and from the age of six - a drug in the form of an aerosol. If necessary, you can also apply a gel.
The solution is completely transparent, has a light lavender scent. The healing effect develops in 5 minutes. Vibrocil is not absorbed into the systemic bloodstream, so only local side reactions are possible.
The indications include:
- infectious rhinitis;
- allergic rhinitis;
- vasomotor rhinitis;
- otitis;
- sinusitis.
Among the contraindications, it is necessary to highlight the individual intolerance of the active ingredients, atrophic type of rhinitis, ozena, glaucoma, a therapeutic course with antidepressants.
With care, Vibrocil is prescribed for babies with diabetes, epilepsy, and cardiac arrhythmias.
If the recommended doses are not followed, tremors, arrhythmias appear, sleep is disturbed, and blood pressure rises. If the medicine is used for more than 7 days, it becomes addictive and increases the risk of developing rhinitis medicamentosa. It is caused by a violation of the perception of the drug by local blood vessels. The recommended doses are one drop three times.
Immunomodulators
To strengthen the local protection, immunostimulating drops from the common cold for newborns are recommended. Due to its unique composition, the drug increases the protective level of the nasal mucosa, as a result of which the body can independently cope with the common cold.
IRS-19
The IRS-19 has quite good reviews. It consists of bacterial lysates, which helps to strengthen local immunity. The medicine is prescribed to infants from three months, one spray twice a day. The duration of the therapeutic course can be up to two weeks, however, it is possible to extend the treatment to several months.
IRS-19 can be prescribed for the treatment and prevention of rhinitis during epidemics of viral diseases. Its positive effect has also been proven in chronic diseases of the nasopharynx.
Other immunomodulators
In addition to IRS-19, Derinat can be prescribed to strengthen the immune system. Each mom needs to monitor the baby's reaction to the instillation of the drug into the nasal cavities. If signs of allergy appear, immediately wash off the medicine with saline solution and consult a doctor.
