Difficulty nasal breathing in infancy is fraught with serious problems. They relate to the formation of infectious foci in the internal organs due to the spread of microbes from the nasopharynx, as well as developmental delay against the background of oxygen starvation. In order for the parents to be calm and the child to be healthy, it is necessary to regularly undergo routine examinations with a pediatrician. If, nevertheless, acute rhinitis develops in children, the first step is to consult a specialist.
Infants do not always have rhinitis - a consequence of a cold. Consider the most common causes of the development of the disease:
- allergic factor. A specific immune response occurs after contact of the nasal mucosa with an allergen, taking certain medications or eating new foods as complementary foods. Often, allergies develop due to the inhalation of pollen, dust, wool, a strong smell of cosmetics, household chemicals or perfume. It is easy enough to distinguish allergic rhinitis from other forms. With this type of rhinitis, there is a profuse transparent rhinorrhea, nasal congestion and shortness of breath. In addition to the listed symptoms, there may be a dry cough in the form of a single cough or attack, lacrimation, sneezing, conjunctival redness, itching of the eyes, nose, skin, rashes and swelling of the face and neck;
- infectious rhinitis. It develops as a result of primary infection with viral pathogens (adeno-, rhinoviruses). This occurs against the background of a weakening of the local protection of the mucous membrane due to its drying out or irritation with polluted air. Bacterial inflammation of a streptococcal or staphylococcal nature usually develops due to the activation of opportunistic microorganisms of the flora of the nasopharynx. Intensive multiplication of bacteria and the release of toxins occurs as a result of a decrease in immunity. It is also possible that a secondary bacterial infection may be associated with viral rhinitis, which indicates a complicated course of the disease. Fungal rhinitis in a child is extremely rare. It can be caused by prolonged use of intranasal sprays with an antibacterial or hormonal composition. This leads to a change in the microbial composition of the flora of the nasal cavities;
- vasomotor rhinitis - occurs as a result of dysregulation of vascular tone in the nasopharynx area. Because of this, the vessels are in an expanded state, the liquid part from the bloodstream goes out into the tissues, which causes edema and rhinorrhea. Usually, with a vasomotor form, one nasal passage is obstructed. In the supine position, difficulty breathing is noted through the inferior nasal passage;
- mechanical factors (trauma). In the absence of control over the child during the game, the risk of injury to the nasal mucosa increases. Children can insert a small toy into their nose or inhale it. Inflammation of the mucous membrane due to a violation of its integrity leads to the appearance of swelling and nasal congestion.
Predisposing factors also include:
- poor living conditions (dampness, cold in the room) due to which children constantly freeze over;
- dry, polluted air, which leads to irritation of the mucous membrane, disruption of the cilia of the epithelium. As a result, a full physiological cleansing of the nasal cavities is not ensured and the risk of inflammation of the nasal mucosa increases;
- low level of immunity due to improper diet, severe concomitant diseases.
Physiological rhinitis is also observed in infants. It is due to the presence of narrow nasal passages and structural features of the nasal mucosa.
In most cases, the treatment of a physiological rhinitis is based on the use of saline solutions for rinsing the nose.
Clinical features of rhinitis in childhood
Depending on the cause of the disease, the incubation period can last several hours or days. There are three stages of the common cold:
- irritation of the mucous membrane with infectious pathogens or allergens leads to sneezing, swelling, dryness, hyperemia of the mucous membrane. In this case, nasal breathing is partially difficult. The temperature may not rise or be recorded at a subfebrile level;
- the stage of serous discharge is characterized by profuse rhinorrhea, when clear mucus flows from the nose. Also worried about sneezing, lacrimation, redness of the conjunctiva is noted. Nasal breathing is absent due to pronounced swelling of the mucous membrane;
- at the final stage, the secretions become thicker, acquire a yellowish tint. After 4-6 days, the runny nose disappears.
The duration of all stages is approximately 7-12 days, depending on the cause of the disease and the child's immune defense. Among the clinical symptoms, it is worth highlighting:
- subfebrile condition;
- headache;
- nasal congestion;
- Difficulty nasal breathing;
- malaise;
- rhinorrhea;
- rejection of the breast;
- capriciousness;
- deterioration of smell;
- bad dream.
Quite often, rhinitis is accompanied by inflammation of the posterior pharyngeal wall, which in combination is rhinopharyngitis. In this case, the child is worried about pain, sore throat, coughing, and there is a hyperemia of the throat mucosa.
In newborns, the course of the disease is more severe, especially in premature babies. They have a higher risk of complications associated with severe intoxication. The complete absence of breathing through the nose is due to swelling of the mucous membrane and the small diameter of the nasal passages.
The baby has difficulty in the feeding process. By wrapping his lips around the nipple or nipple, the baby begins to choke, which interrupts the sucking. In addition, sleep becomes restless, the child often wakes up, and therefore the next day he is moody and whiny.
In infants, breathing through the mouth is shallow, frequent, which predisposes to sore throat. This is due to the inhalation of unpurified cold air through the mouth, which irritates the mucous membrane of the oropharynx.
Infants are characterized by dyspeptic disorders that occur when air is swallowed during feeding.
When a large volume of air enters the stomach, intestinal disruption (diarrhea) and vomiting may occur, which leads to a decrease in body weight.
In addition, prolonged difficulty breathing through the nose contributes to the disruption of oxygen delivery to internal organs. As a result, the body experiences hypoxia, and the risk of seizures increases.
Rhinitis can proceed in a complicated form and be accompanied by stomatitis, otitis media, tracheitis or pneumonia. The spread of inflammation occurs against the background of immunodeficiency. Often you can notice purulent discharge from the eyes, which indicates inflammation of the lacrimal apparatus.
With older children, it is a little easier, because they can point out the localization of pain and tell the complaints. Primarily with rhinitis, there is itching, burning in the nose, sneezing. After 2 days, fever intensifies, nasal congestion and nasal voice are observed. The appearance of profuse rhinorrhea is accompanied by friction of the wings of the nose by the child, trying to remove mucous discharge. As a result, the skin of this area becomes red, peeling and painful microcracks are noted.
By the 6-7th day, nasal discharge becomes thicker, with a yellowish tinge. Their volume gradually decreases, and on the 10th day, recovery begins.
General Treatment Tips
When the first symptoms of the disease appear, it is necessary to begin intensively treated.As soon as sneezing or "blinking" of the nose has been noticed, a runny nose should be suspected. The first step is to measure the temperature, assess the child's activity and appetite. All these signs will indicate the degree of intoxication.
The next step is to cleanse the nose with a special aspirator and sea salt solution. Don't forget about the general mode:
- fresh air access. Daily airing of the children's room provides full access of oxygen to the internal organs, which prevents an increase in hypoxia. In addition, you should not neglect short walks in good weather, dressing the child warmly. During the period of illness, the slightest draft can aggravate the course of the disease. Walking is prohibited with hyperthermia above 37.5 degrees;
- bathing. In the presence of high fever, as well as in the acute stage of rhinitis (the first three days), bathing is not recommended;
- nutrition. Particular attention should be paid to nutrition, because the process of sucking the breast in the absence of nasal breathing is difficult, which can lead to a decrease in body weight. If it is not possible to bottle feed the baby, it is recommended to use a spoon or syringe. In older children, the problem with feeding is not so acute, because their diet is much wider and feeding is easier;
- drinking regimen. The daily volume of fluid required for children is calculated based on age. With a runny nose, fluid consumption increases significantly (due to shortness of breath, increased sweating during hyperthermia), which requires full compensation. It is especially important to take into account the frequency of loose stools, which is necessary to calculate the daily drinking volume. Children can be given juices (preferably not very sweet), compotes, still mineral water or herbal teas;
Dehydration increases the risk of seizures and impaired consciousness.
- air humidification. To do this, you can use a special humidifier or simply hang wet sheets or diapers in the room. Humid air prevents irritation of the nasal mucosa and promotes rapid recovery;
- motor mode. The child needs to save strength to fight the disease, therefore, if he wants to play outdoor games, it is recommended to captivate him with less active activities (drawing, puzzles, reading books);
- full sleep. Try to maintain a sleep schedule, because resting, the body recovers and becomes more resistant to disease.
Drug treatment
To achieve the desired result, the treatment of acute rhinitis in children should be comprehensive:
- rinsing the nose with saline (Aqua Maris, Dolphin). Babies cannot "blow their nose", so a special aspirator or a small syringe is needed to remove mucus from the nasal cavities;
- instillation of vasoconstrictor nasal drops (Vibrocil, Delufen);
- taking antipyretic drugs (Panadol);
- vitamin therapy (Alphabet);
- taking immunomodulatory drugs (Viferon).
Untimely treatment of the common cold is fraught with serious complications that affect both the nasopharynx zone and the whole body. In this regard, one should not be frivolous about rhinitis, because some of the consequences of the disease can be fatal for a child.
