A runny nose is an inflammatory process localized on the nasal mucosa. There are many factors that can cause this symptom in childhood. But whatever the cause of rhinitis, you need to know how to treat a runny nose in a child at 2 years old (and at an older age). During this period, the child's immune system is not fully formed, so the body cannot fully resist various viral and bacterial infections, allergens. There are many options for the treatment of rhinitis in children, which will be discussed.
Causes
Treatment for a child's runny nose will depend on the reasons that caused this unpleasant symptom. So, rhinitis in a 2-year-old child can be triggered by:
- Infectious diseases: viruses or bacteria.
Most often, it is viral infections that cause snot in a 2-year-old child. Moreover, in most cases, a runny nose will not be the only symptom. It is often accompanied by redness of the throat, hoarseness, fever, and general malaise. In this case, the treatment should be carried out under the supervision of the attending physician.
- Allergic reactions.
Often it is the wrong reaction of the body to various environmental factors (dust, odors, pet hair, pollen, food) that provoke the onset of rhinitis. In this case, eliminating contact with allergens, as well as taking special medications, helps the child to cure a runny nose.
- Hypothermia.
If a child's feet get wet during a walk in cool weather, then a sharp load on the immune system can provoke a cold.
- Physiological features.
If rhinitis is of a physiological nature, then parents should not have a problem with how to quickly cure a runny nose in a child, because in this case, nasal discharge will go away on its own, as the child's body adapts to the new conditions surrounding it.
Features of therapy
Treatment of rhinitis in children 2 years old should mainly be based on finding a safe and effective way to quickly get rid of mucous discharge from the nose.
Eliminate the cause
If pathogenic microorganisms or allergies are the cause of nasal discharge, then treatment will most often be based on eliminating the cause of the disease.
- If viral infections are the cause of rhinitis, then the doctor will recommend the use of antiviral drugs (Anaferon, Laferobion, Rimantadin).
- If a runny nose is caused by an allergic reaction, then in this case it is necessary to eliminate the allergen, and also give the child an antihistamine (Loratadin, Eden, Diazolin).
Symptomatic therapy
Influencing the cause that caused the unpleasant symptom, it is necessary to know how to treat a 2-year-old child's runny nose in order to prevent the development of complications (inflammation of the middle ear, maxillary sinuses).
- The most affordable, harmless and at the same time effective way to treat rhinitis is the use of saline solutions (Aquamaris). You can prepare such a remedy yourself (five milligrams of table salt per 200 milliliters of drinking water).
The composition of saline solutions contains trace elements that help to restore the normal functioning and function of the nasopharyngeal mucosa, as well as soften and remove dry crusts.
Important! For children under one year old, saline solution is instilled into the nasal passages, and from 2 years old, sprays can already be used.
- If a runny nose has caused swelling of the mucous membrane and the child cannot fully breathe through the nose, then in this case vasoconstrictor drops and sprays (Vibrocil, Nazivin, Nazol) are used.
- Also, for the treatment of rhinitis, you can use a pharmacy such as Pinosol - a mixture of essential oils (eucalyptus, mint, etc.).
To reduce swelling and normalize nasal breathing, you can lubricate the nostrils with “Asterisk” balm.- Steam inhalations and inhalations with a nebulizer using special solutions, essential oils, herbal decoctions, alkaline water also have a moisturizing and softening effect on the nasal mucosa, have an antimicrobial effect.
- At the first signs of rhinitis, preference should be given to fortified food with a high content of vitamin C (black currant, rosehip decoction), special vitamin complexes.
- You should also remember about the need to create an optimal climate in the room where the child with a runny nose is (the air temperature should not be higher than twenty degrees, the humidity should be at least 60%), as well as regular ventilation.
To reduce swelling and normalize nasal breathing, you can lubricate the nostrils with “Asterisk” balm.Important! Vasoconstrictor drugs must be used strictly according to the instructions, not exceeding the recommended dosages and duration (no more than 5-7 days).
Folk ways
Alternative medicine methods for the common cold help to quickly reduce the severity of an unpleasant symptom. Of the many options for how to treat a runny nose for a child at 2 years old, it is the recipes of traditional medicine that are often the most effective.
- Children over two years old can use drops made from onion juice, juice of raw potatoes and honey, taken in five milligrams each, with the addition of fifteen milligrams of vegetable oil. It is necessary to instill three drops three times a day, after clearing the nasal passages.
- Freshly squeezed Kalanchoe juice has a pronounced disinfectant and anti-inflammatory effect. For use by children, the product should be diluted one to one with drinking water so as not to damage the delicate nasal mucosa. You should drip your nose three times a day, one or two drops.
- Acupressure massage of the area of the maxillary sinuses, wings and lateral surfaces of the tip of the nose also has a beneficial effect, reduces swelling, and normalizes breathing. Movements should be light, clockwise.
- Warm foot baths with the addition of mustard powder (three large tablespoons of powder for ten liters of water). The water temperature should gradually rise to 41 degrees. After the procedure, it is necessary to wrap up the child, put on warm socks.
Important! Feet can only be soared when a child's runny nose is not accompanied by a fever.
- Also, the nose is dripped with freshly squeezed juice obtained from aloe leaves. Juice is squeezed out of two fresh sheets, diluted with boiled water at a rate of one to ten, and four drops are instilled into each nasal passage up to five times a day.
- It is useful to drip your nose with freshly squeezed beet juice mixed with sea buckthorn oil. Four drops are instilled into each nostril three times a day.
- A remedy made from fresh garlic or onion juice diluted with drinking water in a ratio of 1x 20. The remedy should be used one to two drops three times a day to thin the viscous and difficult to blow out nasal secretions.
- An effective remedy with an anti-inflammatory effect is a decoction of herbs such as calendula, plantain, sage. One large spoonful of the dry mixture is poured with 200 milliliters of boiling water, kept for 60 minutes, filtered and dripped into the nose several times a day.
- Fresh carrot juice mixed with vegetable oil one to one (the oil must first be boiled) has a softening and moisturizing effect. You can also add a few drops of garlic to the finished solution. You can store drops for no more than a day, instill a few drops in each nasal passage three times a day.
Remember, in order to quickly cure a runny nose in a small child, therapy should be started as early as possible. If parents do not know how to cure snot in a child, you should use the recommendations above.
