Treatment of chronic rhinitis in children

In most cases, the cause of chronic inflammation in the nasal mucosa is improper treatment of the acute form of the disease in children. Parents, trying to cope with the disease on their own, give the child not always effective drugs. This leads to persistent inflammation and protracted rhinitis. To cure a chronic rhinitis in a child, you need to contact a pediatrician or otolaryngologist for examination and establish the cause of the pathology.

Of course, not in all cases it is possible to accurately indicate the root cause of the disease, because hypothermia, contact with an allergen or communication with a sick person may precede its development. We list the most common factors that can provoke rhinitis in a child:

• the influence of low temperatures. In this group of reasons we include general hypothermia, as well as prolonged inhalation of cold air. As a result of this, there is a decrease in immune defense, which leads to the development of a cold or infection of the body;
• structural anomalies of the nose of congenital, traumatic, surgical origin. Deformation of the septum, the small diameter of the nasal passages contribute to the disruption of the airway function of the nasopharynx. The consequence of this can be the accumulation of mucus and the activation of opportunistic flora;
• endocrine pathology, diseases of the nervous system, which are accompanied by hormonal fluctuations, disorders of vascular regulation. The blood vessels of the nose lose their ability to adequately respond to the effects of environmental factors, which is manifested by their expansion, tissue swelling and a runny nose;
• frequent contact with an allergen, such as pollen, certain hygiene products, animals, or strong odors;

An allergist will help to relieve the child of allergic rhinitis by establishing the type of provoking factor and conducting specific therapy.

• unfavorable microclimate. If the air in the child's room is dry, dusty, the nasal mucosa is constantly irritated, due to which its physiological functions are disrupted;
• adenoids, which can accumulate infection and worsen sinus debridement;
• chronic infectious foci in the nasopharynx. With improper therapy of acute bacterial rhinitis in children, there is a temporary inhibition of microbial reproduction. As a result, the severity of symptoms decreases, rhinitis seems to be cured. In fact, the infection goes into a "dormant" state and waits for a favorable moment for activation (hypothermia, stressful situation).

Chronic rhinitis occurs in several forms, which determines the symptomatology and therapeutic tactics:

1. catarrhal appearance, characterized by redness of the mucous membrane, tissue edema and the release of transparent mucus. The child has periodic nasal congestion (one-, two-sided), a rare cough as a result of mucus draining down the posterior pharyngeal wall. Often, an exacerbation is noted in the winter, autumn-spring period;
2. the atrophic appearance is characterized by pronounced dryness of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavities, the presence of dry crusts, and a small amount of mucus. Ozena (fetid rhinitis) should be singled out separately. Symptomatically, the disease is manifested by a lack of smell, destruction of cartilaginous, bone formations;
3. hypertrophic - characterized by shortness of breath against the background of an increase in the volume of tissue in the nasal cavities. Tissue hypertrophy is observed due to prolonged residence in unfavorable environmental conditions, as well as in the presence of defects in the nose;
4. the allergic form develops after contact with an allergen, for example, by inhaling pollen, dust, chemical odors. Children are worried about intense itching of the eyes, nose, swelling of tissues, redness of the conjunctiva, lacrimation, sneezing, profuse transparent rhinorrhea;
5. vasomotor - manifested by nasal congestion, which changes depending on the position of the body.

Against the background of prolonged disturbance of nasal breathing, the child's body suffers from hypoxia (oxygen starvation), sleep is disturbed, appetite decreases, children become moody and irritable.

A serious complication of prolonged hypoxia can be a violation of physical and mental development.

Medication assistance

Medical treatment of a chronic rhinitis in a child should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor based on the results of the diagnosis. Depending on the cause of the disease, the following groups of drugs for internal administration can be used:

1. antiviral - to combat viral pathogens, strengthen the immune defense due to the increased production of interferons;
2. antibacterial - to sanitize the bacterial focus, reduce intoxication, the severity of inflammation of the nasal mucosa;
3. antihistamines - to block an allergic reaction, reduce tissue swelling, rhinorrhea, itching, lacrimation;
4. antipyretic - to normalize the temperature, prevent the occurrence of complications associated with high fever;
5. homeopathic - have a mild anti-inflammatory, anti-edema effect.

Treatment of chronic rhinitis requires topical medications:

• saline solutions for rinsing the nasal cavities. Due to regular cleansing of the mucous membrane, the timely removal of mucus is ensured, preventing its accumulation. Washing can be carried out for prophylactic purposes to prevent exacerbation of a chronic disease;
• vasoconstrictor medications, which are prescribed in a short-term course of up to 5 days. Medicines reduce swelling of the mucous membrane, rhinorrhea due to spasm of local blood vessels;
• astringents based on silver. They have anti-edematous, antimicrobial effects;
• hormonal - to combat allergic, vasomotor rhinitis. Used as a last resort, as they are addictive;
• antiseptic (antibacterial) - eliminate microbes.

The table below shows examples of medicines that are allowed to be used in childhood.

For each form of rhinitis, a specific treatment regimen is prescribed.

Physiotherapy approach

How to cure a child's chronic runny nose? Physiotherapy is an effective aid to medication. It is allowed from the first years of life, however, you need to remember about some contraindications. They concern hyperthermia above 37.5 degrees, as well as a violation of the integrity of tissues in the affected area.

Nowadays, medicine offers a wide range of physiotherapy procedures. Let's dwell on the more common ones:

1. UHF therapy, which involves the use of high-frequency beams. The duration of the course is 5-6 days;
2. ultraviolet effect - especially useful in the infectious form, which allows you to sanitize the microbial focus;
3. laser therapy is often prescribed in courses of 4 days (repeated twice a day), or lasts 7 days if the procedure is performed once a day;
4. inhalation. Inhalation administration of drugs using a nebulizer has long established itself as an effective method of combating diseases of the respiratory tract. For inhalation, you can use disinfecting, mucolytic, immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory drugs.

General mode

How is a chronic rhinitis treated? To completely get rid of the pathology, you need not only to take medications, but to follow a certain regimen. Thanks to an integrated therapeutic approach, it is possible to save a child from a cold and reduce the incidence of diseases of the ENT organs.

• microclimate in the children's room. Living conditions are of particular importance for the health of children. To prevent overdrying, irritation of the mucous membrane, it is necessary to maintain the humidity at 65%. For this, it is recommended to use special devices, so-called humidifiers, or to hang wet diapers in the room. As for the temperature, it should be 20 degrees. Do not forget about regular ventilation, cleaning, which makes it possible to ensure the delivery of oxygen to the internal organs and reduce the concentration of dust and allergens in the air. Draft for children can exacerbate a chronic illness;
• nutrition. The child's diet should be enriched with fresh vegetables, fruits with a large amount of vitamin C. You should not be allowed to indulge in sweets, baked goods, crackers and other harmful products;
• drink. Adequate intake of fluid in the body allows you to accelerate the elimination of toxins, restore water balance and normalize the functioning of each cell. Depending on the preferences of the children, you can drink herbal tea, not very sweet juices, compote or non-carbonated alkaline water;
• recreation. During periods of illness, the body is quickly depleted, which is why sleep is one of the important components of treatment. Outdoor games can be replaced with less active ones, although at the time of exacerbation of the pathology;
• outdoor walks are permitted in the absence of fever. They make it possible to facilitate nasal breathing and saturate the body with oxygen;
• vitamin therapy. Regular prophylaxis by taking vitamin and mineral complexes strengthens the immune system, prevents the development of vitamin deficiency and increases the body's resistance to disease.

Strengthening the immunity of children must be dealt with from infancy, without denying them breastfeeding.

As they grow older, the child needs to be accustomed to hardening procedures, proper nutrition and sports activities.

One of the main tasks of parents is the timely detection of the disease and the correct treatment of the acute form of the common cold.

It is not always possible to cure a child on their own, therefore, if there is no effect from home therapy, it is necessary to consult a doctor on the third day.